Ruetten Selected As Head Women’s Golf Coach

UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims announced Friday (Aug. 3) the hiring of Liza Ruetten (lee-sa written) as the school's new head women's golf coach.

The 1988 UW-Oshkosh graduate replaces Jessie Wilcox, who resigned in May to become the head girls basketball coach and assistant golf coach at Rosary High School in Aurora, Ill.

Ruetten, who becomes the fourth head coach in the 17-year history of the UW-Oshkosh women's golf program, has been playing competitive golf for nearly four decades. She won the Northeastern Wisconsin Golf Association Amateur Championship in 2007 and the Oshkosh City Championship in 1998. Ruetten also took first place in the Wisconsin Women's State Golf Association's Mother-Daughter Championship three times.

"I'm most excited to begin my journey coaching women's golf at UW-Oshkosh," Ruetten said. "I have a lifetime passion for the game that parallels my passion for working with young people. I firmly believe that the life lessons learned on the golf course will assist in developing future community leaders."

Ruetten was a member of the Ridgeway Country Club in Neenah for nearly 20 years. She spent five of those years assisting the golf professional staff in club tournament organization and youth instruction.

Ruetten, who played on the boys golf team while attending Winneconne High School, has been a teacher in the Neenah Joint School District since 2000. Last May, she was named the district's Middle School Teacher of the Year for her work as a sixth-grade science teacher and team leader of the Phoenix House at Horace Mann Middle School.

"We are very fortunate to have someone with Liza's background and playing experience coming in to lead the student-athletes in our women's golf program," said Sims. "I'm extremely impressed with Liza's vision and the excitement she has for our program. She is definitely committed to providing an atmosphere where young women can excel academically, socially and competitively."

UW-Oshkosh began its women's golf program during the 1996-97 school year. The Titans won Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 2000, 2002 and 2003, while finishing fourth at the 2004 and fifth at the 2003 NCAA Division III championships.