Rob Oertel
Rob Oertel was one of many keys to the Blue Devils' domination of WSUC tennis during the mid-1980s. Oertel captured the WSUC No. 1 singles title in 1985, the No. 3 title in 1984 and the No. 1 doubles championship in 1986. Oertel was named an NCAA Division III All-American in both singles and doubles in 1986. The Blue Devils won the conference championship in each of Oertel's four years, and Oertel was the team captain in 1985 and '86. Oertel coached the Blue Devils in 1989 and is currently entering his seventh year as the men's coach at NCAA Division I Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind., where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year in 1995 after finishing second in conference play.
Orlando "Pat" Paciotti
A standout as an offensive and defensive lineman and place kicker for Stout Institute in the the late 1920s, Orlando Paciotti was the first Stout player to be named to the all-conference team, making the first team in 1928. While the Trainers failed to post records above .500 during Paciotti's playing career, "Pash's" consistent solid play in the line stood out. Known as an unselfish player, Paciotti had an opportunity to pick up a loose ball and run for a touchdown, but elected to tell a teammate to pick up the ball while he cleared a path for the score. During his senior year, Paciotti was called on in the final minutes to calmly boot the winning extra point in a 14-13 win over archrival Eau Claire.
An honor student while at Stout, Paciotti holds the distinction of being named the first Master Printer of the Stout Typographical Society. An intense graphic arts instructor in Beaver Dam, Wis., Paciotti's printing program was a model for other instructors throughout the state and Upper Midwest. Paciotti accepted the position with the Beaver Dam school district in 1929, teaching for 45 years. He coached the junior varsity football team for 17 years, and in a stretch from 1948-55, did not lose a game. Involved in a vast number of civic activities, including three terms on the Beaver Dam City Council, Paciotti was a much loved figure in his adopted Beaver Dam when he died in 1977.
Terri Traczyk-Rezac
Terri Traczyk was a team leader on a series of three teams that finished fourth at the NAIA nationals in consecutive years, and Traczyk earned NAIA All-American and All-WWIAC selection in vaulting in 1983, her junior year. Traczyk was named the team's move valuable performer in 1983 and 1984, the same year she was the team's high scorer. Traczyk continued to perform well during her senior year, despite a knee injury. Upon graduation, Traczyk held the school record for the highest all-around score. Despite the individual honors, Traczyk considers the day-to-day practices as her biggest thrill. "The determination, comaraderie, enthusiasm and commitment our team had was very contagious," Tracyzk said. "Pushing ourselves and each other to strive for our team and individual goals was extremely rewarding, more so than any individual awards I received." Tracyzk is married to former Stout men's gymnast, Mark Rezac. She is currently employed by KMJZ Radio in Eden Prairie, Minn., and resides in Andover, Minn.
Mark Overgard
Scan the WSUC track and field championships from the late 1970s through early 1980s and the name Mark Overgard will hit you like a shot put striking the ground. Overgard dominated the conference weight scene from 1979-81, winning the indoor and outdoor shot put title all three years – the same years he captained the Blue Devils – and took the discus and javelin honors in 1981. He also placed third in the hammer throw. Also in 1981, Overgard earned NAIA All-American honors by placing fourth in the shot put. Both his indoor shot put record of 54-feet, 6-inches and outdoor shot put record of 53-10 still stand. Overgard has been employed by Best Buy since 1984 and is currently the district manager in the Chicago, Ill., area where his district was the top producing district in 1993 and 1994.
Mike Devney
Mike Devney and hardnosed basketball are interchangeable terms. Currently the sixth ranked scorer in Stout history with 1150 points, Devney is described by his coach, Dwain Mintz, as "a tough competitor who played hard and gutsy. He played so hard it sometimes would get in the way. "When it came down to bare knuckles time, Mike could win it. He was strictly a team man." Devney, a standout at Eau Claire Regis High School, played one semester at Northern Michigan before transferring to Stout. As a senior in 1981, he was the second leading scorer in the WSUC with 287 points and finished the season with 495 points. Devney had the ability to score from inside and outside and was known as a tenacious rebounder. Devney played two years of pro basketball in Australia and finished his degree at Stout in 1985. He is currently teaching at Denfeld High School in Duluth, Minn., and is the head basketball coach at Carlton (Minn.) High School.
Bob Kamish
Bob Kamish led the UW-Stout men's track and field team to their only WSUC championship in 1972 and also holds the mark for the football coach with the most career wins to his name with 28.
Kamish was twice named the NAIA District 14 track coach of the year, in 1972 and again in 1980 and was named the Area IV coach of the year in 1972, when the Blue Devils won the conference title at Nelson Field. Kamish, who coached at Stout from 1968-86, will join athletes he coached including track athletes Jules Butcher, Dennis Fechelm, Barney Klecker and Mark Overgard and football players Bob Johnson, Joe Bullis, Steve Burr and Tom Paulus in the Hall of Fame. Kamish's football defensive units ranked in the top 10 in the country and two of his teams played before national television audiences. Since leaving Stout, Kamish has been an investment adviser with a financial services business in Prescott, Wis., where he lives with wife, Elle, and enjoys their three grandchildren.