Schumacher

UW-Oshkosh turned to one of its all-time hardwood greats and named Terri Schumacher as its fourth head women's coach.  The 1986 UW-Oshkosh graduate replaces Pam Ruder, who resigned after nine seasons to become the head coach at Southwestern.
 
Schumacher returns to her alma mater after spending the past 13 years as head girls' coach and physical education teacher at Oshkosh West High School. At UW-Oshkosh, Schumacher will also serve as the assistant to the intramural director.
 
"I'm thrilled that Terri has decided to return to her alma mater and become a member of our coaching staff," said UW-Oshkosh athletic director Allen Ackerman.  "She has outstanding coaching credentials and is a quality individual.  I'm extremely confident that our women's basketball program will continue to enjoy tremendous success under Terri's leadership and guidance."
 
Schumacher is regarded as one of the state's premier high school coaches after improving Oshkosh West from a last-place team in the Fox Valley Association to a two-time Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I state champion.
 
Schumacher has been the head coach at Oshkosh West since 1993.  During her tenure at the school the Wildcats posted a 148-148 record, captured two WIAA Division I state titles, claimed two FVA crowns and advanced to four WIAA Division I State Tournaments.  She also coached five athletes who went on to play Division I basketball, including 2003 Miss Wisconsin Basketball award winner Meredith Onson.
 
Since the 2000 season, Schumacher has guided Oshkosh West to an impressive 131-35 record.  In 2003, Oshkosh West grabbed the FVA title and capped a 26-0 season with a 62-27 victory over Middleton in the championship game of the WIAA State Tournament.  In 2004, the Wildcats finished a 21-5 season with a 54-40 victory over Watertown High School in the state title game.
 
Prior to Oshkosh West, Schumacher coached the girls' team at Plymouth High School to a 69-44 record from 1987 to 1992.  Schumacher's best season at her hometown high school came in 1990 when she led the Panthers to an Eastern Wisconsin Conference championship and an 18-6 record, including a loss to Madison East in the quarterfinals of the WIAA Division I State Tournament.
 
Schumacher attended UW-La Crosse and played basketball during the 1982 and 1983 campaigns.  She transferred to UW-Oshkosh after the 1983 season and played basketball for the Titans the next two years.
 
At UW-Oshkosh, Schumacher became one of the dominant players in the WIAC and Division III.  In 1984, she received All-WIAC first team honors after averaging a league-leading 23.8 points per game. During an 82-70 loss to UW-Green Bay, Schumacher scored 41 points and made 19 field goals to establish a pair of UW-Oshkosh records.
 
In 1985, Schumacher led UW-Oshkosh to an 18-8 record and its first WIAC championship.  Schumacher received first team All-America honors and was chosen as the Division III Player of the Year by the American Women's Sports Federation.  She also claimed All-WIAC first team accolades after averaging a league-leading 27.3 points and 5.1 steals.
 
In 1996, UW-Oshkosh recognized Schumacher's performance on the basketball court by inducting her into its Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
Schumacher, 42, inherits a UW-Oshkosh program that has compiled 11 21-plus win seasons in the past 12 years, including a 31-0 mark and a NCAA championship in 1996.  The Titans have won 262 of their past 311 games, including 22 of 28 a year ago.
 
UW-Oshkosh opens its 2005-06 season against Fontbonne on Nov. 18 at Carroll.