Connie Rutledge, who coached the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to two of its three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s softball titles, passed away Sept. 16 after a courageous three-year, eight-month battle with ovarian cancer.
Rutledge, 57, led the UW Oshkosh women’s softball program from 1984-86. Her teams compiled a 68-36 record and captured WIAC championships in both 1984 and 1985.
Rutledge guided her first UW Oshkosh team to a 19-9 record. In 1985, she coached the Titans to a 25-12 record and a spot in the 16-team National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III postseason tournament. Rutledge was named WIAC Coach of the Year in 1986 when the Titans earned a 24-15 record and placed third in the conference.
Rutledge had the privilege to coach pitcher Nila Gruenewald, the first NCAA Division III All-American in the history of the UW Oshkosh women’s softball program. Gruenewald, who collected All-America accolades in 1985, was one of two all-region performers coached by Rutledge, with the other being catcher Jamie Ziegel.
UW Oshkosh players received a total of 10 All-WIAC first team awards under Rutledge’s guidance, including two-time honorees Gruenewald, Laurie Bures and Mary Ziegler. The Titans’ Heidi Wilcox was named the WIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1986.
“Coach Rutledge brought instant respect when she walked into a room,” said Sharon Panske, who played for Rutledge, served as an assistant coach to Rutledge and replaced Rutledge as head coach of the Titans. “Coach Rutledge was all about business and you knew that you were having the time of your life playing for her. It never felt like work, as we were a family during our playing days and still are to this day. What she taught each and every one of us cannot be put into words.”
Rutledge spent 33 years in the Bonduel Public School District, first as a teacher in health and physical education and then as a middle school principal. Rutledge was an outstanding girls softball coach for Bonduel High School, where she guided the Bears to the championship game of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Class B State Tournament in both 1980 and 1981.
Rutledge received a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point and master’s degrees from both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW Oshkosh.
Rutledge’s exceptional humanitarian spirit will always be remembered. This past March, she founded and served as president of Ovarian Cancer Community Outreach Inc. in Green Bay.
Born in Osseo, Rutledge is the daughter of Rosemary and David Rutledge. Rutledge is survived by her mother, Rosemary; brothers, Steve and Ron; and partner Mari Reinheimer. Rutledge was preceded in death by her father, David.
In lieu of flowers or any gifts you may be considering, it’s Rutledge’s sincere wish for your generosity to be placed through www.occo-wis.org. There will be a celebration of Rutledge’s life for family and friends on Oct. 2 from 1-5 p.m. in the gymnasium at Bonduel Middle School (400 W. Green Bay St.). A short program will be begin at 3 p.m.
Kennan Timm, Athletics, submitted this announcement. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to contribute calendar items, campus announcements and other good news to UW Oshkosh Today.