Blue Devils Unscripted

In this episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, Pete and Delo kick off Season 2 with UW-Stout Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Webb. He went from a $5,000 assistant job to the head coaching seat in Menomonie. Coach Webb talks about the relationships, the recruiting miles and the player development that built the Blue Devil program.

We got two thirds of the new Blue Devil women’s basketball staff on the mic. (Coach Voss, we saved you a seat. Sort of.)

Head coach Sam Clayton grew up in Durand, coached at her alma mater Michigan Tech, and has come home to UW-Stout. She wants the toughest team in the gym. Assistant coach Bridget Froehlke played in two Final Fours, is starting her coaching career with the Blue Devils, and has already survived a very eventful first summer in Menomonie. Pete and Andrew talk with them about their routes to Stout, winning with defense, and why Johnson Fieldhouse gets loud.

In this episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, Pete and Delo sit down with the leaders of the UW-Stout Men’s Golf program: senior captain Cole Noreen and junior captain Andrew Bauer.

We go beyond the scorecard to explore the journeys that brought these two to Menomonie. From their early days in junior golf to becoming the veteran voices of the team, Cole and Andrew share a candid look at what it means to lead on and off the links.

What We Discuss:

• The Path to Menomonie: How a kid from Marshfield (Noreen) and a standout from Chippewa Falls (Bauer) navigated the recruiting process to find their home at UW-Stout.
• The "GEM" Advantage: We dive into the Golf Enterprise Management (GEM) program—the only one of its kind endorsed by the National Golf Course Owners Association—and how it prepares student-athletes for careers at major PGA Tour events and world-class clubs.
• Developing the Blue Devil Edge: The mental and physical shift required to compete at the collegiate level and the specific culture that makes the Stout golf program feel like a family.
• The Pat Kell Golf Center: Thoughts on the new high-tech training hub and how it has changed the game for the Blue Devils.

Whether you're a golfer looking to improve your mental game or a fan of the Blue Devil community, join us for an authentic look at the grit and growth driving UW-Stout Golf.

Guest Highlights:

• Cole Noreen (Senior): A Golf Enterprise Management major and All-America Scholar who transitioned from a multi-sport high school career to a cornerstone of the Blue Devil roster.
• Andrew Bauer (Junior): The 2023 WSGA State Junior Boys Champion and a Business Administration major who has consistently led the team on the leaderboard.

In this episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, we sit down with the leadership team behind UW-Stout Softball: Head Coach Lakyn Krizan and Assistant Coach Travis Miller. Currently in their second year as a coaching tandem, Lakyn and Travis share insights into their journey, their individual backgrounds, and the evolution of the Blue Devil program.

In this episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, we sit down with the leaders of the UW-Stout Track & Field program to talk about the journeys that brought them to Menomonie.

Head Coach Kyle Steiner takes us through his path in the WIAC, from his roots in Grafton to his standout career at UW-Stevens Point, and eventually finding his home leading the Blue Devils.

We are also joined by graduate student and team captain, Karter Rashke. A powerhouse in the shot put circle, Karter shares the unique story of how he fell in love with the UW-Stout culture and campus just by driving into Menomonie.

In this episode of Blue Devil’s Unscripted, we’re diving deep into the world of UW-Stout Women’s Lacrosse. We sit down with Head Coach Mikayla Knudson and junior standout Brinley Tonn to discuss the evolution of the fastest game on two feet.

From Mik’s journey from Elk River, MN to Augsburg University, to Brinley’s transition from Northern Wisconsin to UW-Stout to play a lacrosse and study Environmental Science, we explore the winding paths that led them both to Menomonie. We also tackle:

• The Multi-Sport Edge: How dabbling in other sports built the foundation for their lacrosse success.
• State of the Game: The recent rule changes and the explosive growth of lacrosse across the Midwest.
• Building a Legacy: What it’s been like to develop a still-growing program from the ground up at UW-Stout.

In this bonus episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, we sit down with the captains of the UW-Stout Men’s Ice Hockey team: Gunner Moore, Kullen Daikawa, and Sam Kroon.

Fresh off an unforgettable weekend, the trio takes us inside the locker room and onto the ice to relive the moments that led to capturing the WIAC Regular Season Championship. From the final horn to the trophy celebration, we discuss: the fan support, what was going through their head the last 30 seconds, and their journey to UW-Stout.

In this episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, we’re hitting the diamond with UW-Stout Head Baseball Coach Ben Kincaid and standout pitcher Lawson LeBlanc.

We go behind the scenes to trace their unique paths to Menomonie—from Ben’s hometown roots in Eau Claire, WI, to Lawson’s trek across the border from Toronto, Canada. The guys also get personal as Ben shares details about his recent wedding to his wife, Jenny and some of the trips they have taken. Plus, stick around for a trip down memory lane as Pete and Ben rehash their favorite stories and shared history with the Eau Claire Express.

This week on Blue Devils Unscripted, we sit down with UW-Stout Football Head Coach Clayt Birmingham for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the typical X’s and O’s. Coach Birmingham takes us through his fascinating career path, including his early days as a player in the WIAC and his unique experience coaching internationally for the Stockholm Mean Machines in Sweden. He shares his deep-seated respect for the WIAC and discusses how the culture of the conference has shaped his coaching philosophy over the years.

The discussion also turns toward the personal and the practical, as Coach reflects on how technology has rapidly transformed the football landscape and, despite those changes, football remains football. Beyond the gridiron, you’ll hear the charming stories behind the naming of his daughters' and the hilarious, humbling experiences he’s had while visiting his wife’s family ranch. Whether you're interested in the evolution of coaching or the life of a coach off the field, this episode offers an authentic look at one of the WIAC’s most respected leaders.

In this episode of Blue Devils Unscripted, Pete and Delo sit down with two standout student athletes, Liz Rohl (Women’s Golf and Softball) and Collin Vick (Men’s Basketball) to dive into their lives both on and off the field.

Liz shares the realities of being a two-sport athlete and her current transition from the college classroom into teaching in an elementary school classroom. We also take a trip back to her roots as she discusses the lessons learned growing up on a farm.

Joining the conversation is Collin Vick, who opens up about his future goals of becoming a sports psychologist and his unique hobby of collecting sports cards. Together, Liz and Collin discuss the diverse coaching styles they’ve experienced throughout their careers and the specific type of leadership they strive to bring to Stout Athletics.

Whether you’re interested in the mental side of the game or the "human side" of being a Blue Devil, join us for this authentic, unscripted look at two of UW-Stout's finest.