George Chryst Classic raises $45,000

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Athletic Department hosted the inaugural George Chryst Classic, a golf outing in honor of late head football coach George Chryst.

August 13, 2015

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Athletic Department hosted the inaugural George Chryst Classic, a golf outing in honor of late head football coach George Chryst.

The event raised $45,000 to be put towards the renovation of the UW-Platteville Football Stadium Project in the Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. "This event not only honored the considerable legacy of George Chryst, but also brought together many people who are excited about the opportunity to assist UW-Platteville student-athletes with the stadium project," said Chancellor Dennis J. Shields. "The support was very encouraging, including from our diamond sponsor C.D. Smith Construction. As we strive to control our own destiny, these partnerships are of paramount importance."

A total of 144 people participated in the outing, with an additional 50 attending the dinner afterwards. The entire Chryst family was in attendance, including George's widow Patty and children Cathy, Geep, Rick, Paul and Dolly. Paul, the Wisconsin Badgers Head Football Coach, spoke at the event, along with UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis J. Shields and Pioneer Head Football Coach Mike Emendorfer.

"The event was an excellent opportunity for our alumni to get together and celebrate the past of UW-Platteville Football and help support our vision of the future," Emendorfer said. "The stadium project is vital in allowing us to create a positive environment for our student-athletes to take away from their experience as a Pioneer."

Also attending were Wisconsin Badgers Head Basketball Coach Bo Ryan, whom Chryst hired to coach the Pioneers in 1984 and eventually led them to four national titles, former Pioneer Rob Jeter, now the Head Basketball Coach at UW-Milwaukee and many others connected to the Chryst family and UW-Platteville.

UW-Platteville alum Jeff Dower, who also played under Chryst, had the idea to hold the outing. "We couldn't have done it without Jeff and the entire Chryst family," said Dietmeier. "It was an amazing day."

Chryst served as the head coach of the Pioneers from 1979-92, also serving as athletic director from 1982-90. He led the team to the Wisconsin State University Conference Championship in 1980. Chryst is also responsible for bringing two major names to UW-Platteville, including hiring Ryan as the men's head basketball coach and recruiting the Chicago Bears to choose the university for its summer training camp.

Written by: Carly Willman, UW-Platteville University Information and Communications,
608-342-1194, willmanc@uwplatt.edu