Head Coach Cindy Suess
| At UW-Oshkosh Since 2004-05 | 118 Kolf Sports Center |
| Wartburg College (1985) | (920) 424-3236 |
Cindy Suess, who guided
Verona High School to five state tournament appearances the past six seasons,
was named August 1 as the new head women's softball coach at UW-Oshkosh. Suess
becomes the 11th head coach in the 32-year history of the UW-Oshkosh women's softball
program, replacing interim tutor Amy Smith.
Suess has served as head girls' softball coach and physical education teacher at Verona High School since 1993. Over the past 12 seasons, she has directed the Wildcats to a 228-49 record, five WIAA Division 1 State Tournaments and eight Badger Conference championships. Verona advanced to the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, posting second-place finishes in 2001 and 2002. The Wildcats have won the Badger Conference title every year since 1997.
"Cindy's credentials and accomplishments reflect great success as a coach," said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Allen Ackerman. "She will ignite our women's softball program with a level of energy, intensity and commitment that will take it in an exciting new direction."
This past year, with four sophomores and a freshman in her starting lineup, Suess led Verona to an 18-5 record and a semifinal round appearance in the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament. In 2003, Suess coached the Wildcats to a 22-3 record and another visit to the semifinal round of the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament.
"I'm excited about becoming a member of the UW-Oshkosh coaching staff," said Suess. "Several of the UW-Oshkosh athletics programs have been very successful at the conference and national level and my goals are for the softball program to do the same. UW-Oshkosh is a great university and the upcoming renovations to the softball facility will help make the school one of the finest places to play."
During her tenure at Verona, Suess coached 12 all-state first team selections and seven scholarship performers, including a pair of all-state first team picks this past season. The Luxemburg-Casco High School graduate also directed numerous camps, clinics and fundraisers to enhance and promote the Verona softball program. Suess has been a member of the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association since 1993, serving as president since 2003. She also is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
"My 12 years of coaching softball at Verona were very enjoyable," said Suess. "I had the opportunity to coach some outstanding softball players and develop great relationships in the community. Winning eight straight conference titles and making five trips to the state tournament were direct results of the hard work, great attitudes and team chemistry of the softball program at Verona."
Prior to her appointment at Verona, Suess coached girls' basketball and taught physical education classes at McFarland High School from 1989 to 1992. She also taught physical education classes and coached at Avondale High School in Auckland, New Zealand, from 1987 to 1988 and Marian Central High School in Woodstock, Ill., from 1985 to 1987. While in Auckland, Suess was a member of the Metro Softball Club that captured the 1987 New Zealand national championship.
Suess was a standout softball player at Wartburg College (Iowa), receiving NCAA Division III All-America first team honors for the Knights in 1985. She also gained All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) first team honors in 1984 and 1985 and all-league second team mention in 1983. Suess compiled a .350 batting average during her three years at Wartburg College, the second-highest career mark in school history. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from the school in 1985.
Assisting Suess at UW-Oshkosh will be her husband, Graeme Robertson. Robertson, a former player on New Zealand's National Fastpitch Softball Team, will coach the pitchers and the catchers. In addition to her coaching duties, Suess will also work in the UW-Oshkosh athletics department as a member of the strength and conditioning staff.
UW-Oshkosh concluded the 2004 season with a 20-19 record, including a fifth-place mark of 9-7 in the WIAC.
* - Written August 1, 2004
Assistant Coach Craig Stevens
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