Schulman to retire after 28 years with Pioneers

Deb Schulman will retire after 28 years as the head volleyball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, effective Aug. 1. She will remain at the university in a half-time capacity through the fall semester in her administrative role as the Associate Athletic Director to help the department through the transition.

Schulman to retire after 28 years with Pioneers
May 9, 2016

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. —Deb Schulman will retire after 28 years as the head volleyball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, effective Aug. 1. She will remain at the university in a half-time capacity through the fall semester in her administrative role as the Associate Athletic Director to help the department through the transition.

“It was a very hard decision to give up something that I have loved and been so passionate about my entire life, but it has been a privilege working with such amazing student-athletes,” said Schulman. “Every person who has been involved in UW-Platteville volleyball has touched my life in a special way. I am grateful to UW-Platteville for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to grow as a coach, teacher, mentor and as a person. I have been fortunate to have coached in the competitive WIAC against some outstanding coaches and programs and have enjoyed my journey. I will forever be thankful to those who supported me along the way.”

As head coach for the Pioneers, Schulman has led 19 of her 28 teams to at least 20 wins per season and has an overall record of 641-380. She is second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in wins on the all-time coaching records list and ranks among the top 25 nationally in both career wins and winning percentage among active coaches.

“This university is incredibly lucky to have kept a coach like Deb Schulman here for her 28 years; we are all in her debt,” said Interim Athletic Director and Pioneer Head Football Coach Mike Emendorfer. “I now have first hand knowledge of just how much Deb does to keep this department running, she will be sorely missed. I wish her the best of luck in retirement and hope to still see her around the field house from time to time.”

Under Schulman, six Pioneer teams have made the NCAA Division III post-season tournament and led the Pioneers to two Sweet 16 finishes. The 1992 squad finished 39-3, winning the league title for the first time in school history and the 2010 squad finished 33-4 winning the WIAC Tournament. During her 1992 season, the Pioneers rolled off a school-record 31 straight wins.

Throughout her time as head coach, Schulman has earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Midwest Region Coach of the Year and was inducted into both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hall of Fame as a four-sport athlete and UW-Platteville’s Hall of Fame for coaching.

“Her success in athletic competition is only matched by her immense impact on our Athletic Department,” said Emendorfer. “Her wisdom and guidance have been critical to helping me run the Athletic Department and I cannot thank her enough for her support.”

Assistant coach Jon Stenman will be named interim head coach for the 2016 season. “I have been very lucky to have worked with such wonderful assistant coaches throughout my career here at UW-Platteville,” said Schulman. “I can’t thank them enough for what they have given to our program and university.”

Written by: Carly Willman, University Information and Communications, 608.342.1194, willmanc@uwplatt.edu