Introducing USM's Third Class of Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

The USM Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2016 to commemorate a legacy of exceptional athletic performance and accomplishments by former USM and predecessor school student athletes, coaches, teams, and distinguished contributors. Inductees are selected by an Athletic Hall of Fame committee, and they will be added to the Hall of Fame wall, named in honor of Henry "Chip" Uihlein Jr. MCDS'63, and located in the Quadracci Lobby.

The 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15. Visit www.usm.org/hof for more information.

Student Athletes

Hal De Bona MUS'40

Hal De Bona MUS’40 was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track at Milwaukee University School, earning seven varsity letters. He earned the H. H. Uihlein Sportsmanship Trophy, as MVP, voted by his teammates as having contributed the most to the success and spirit of the 1940 football team’s 5–1 season—during which he was the leading scorer and rusher. He was co-captain of the basketball team and captain of the track team, where he participated in six different events, set a school record, and earned three letters as a consistent high-point scorer.

At Brown University, he continued to compete in football and track during his freshman year. With the outbreak of World War II, he transferred to Marquette University’s NROTC program and played on the 1943 Marquette Varsity football team.

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William "Bill" Fox MCDS'54

Bill Fox MCDS’54 served as captain for Milwaukee Country Day School’s basketball and track teams and was named the MVP for both sports. He received the Herbert W. Oviatt Trophy for three straight years, given annually to the underclassman who showed the most “sportsmanship, loyalty, and enthusiasm for track.” No other track athlete has earned this distinction. In his four years at MCDS, Fox earned seven varsity letters: three in basketball and four in track. He was the leading scorer on the basketball team and a top point leader and record holder on the track team.

Fox matriculated to Williams College, where he earned nine varsity letters in cross country, indoor relays, and track. He was captain of all three teams his senior year, an extremely rare accomplishment.

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Connie Meek '65

Connie Meek ’65 was a pioneering female athlete during her time at Milwaukee University School and University School of Milwaukee. She excelled in field hockey and basketball, and sought out the opportunity to try every sport offered to her, both inside and outside of school. She was captain of the MUS blue team, and is described in the yearbook as the most athletic in the class. She matriculated to Hood College, where she was a four-sport athlete in field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and swimming. Meek returned to USM in 1971 to teach Upper School math and coach varsity field hockey, and was inducted into the Hood College Hall of Fame in 2008.

 

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Phil Uihlein '68

Phil Uihlein ’68 grew up with a hockey stick in hand at all times, and it showed in his prowess on the ice. Former USM hockey coach Tony Fritz described Uihlein as the best player he ever coached in his career. Uihlein was a leading scorer, known for breaking many of his own records. He was an MVP twice in hockey and football. When not playing hockey, he could be found on the baseball and football fields, where he also earned all-conference honors in football. Following graduation, Uihlein matriculated to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for hockey. In 1971 he was drafted by the St. Louis Blues, and in 1976 he was invited to try out for the Olympics. He also played for his home team, the Milwaukee Admirals.

 

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Jenny Gruesser Jansen '84

Jenny Gruesser Jansen ’84 was a three-sport athlete in field hockey, soccer, and basketball, earning 11 varsity letters. She was a fierce competitor and earned the nickname of “Bruiser” for her tenacity on the field and court. During her senior year, she led the Wildcats as a three-sport captain and earned MVP awards in basketball and field hockey. She matriculated to Bethany College, where she participated in varsity field hockey, basketball, and softball. She earned first team all-conference honors in field hockey in 1987 and 1988. 

 

 

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Richard Cartledge '91

Richard Cartledge ’91 starred on both the soccer and track teams during his years at University School of Milwaukee. Cartledge still holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in boys soccer, with more than 100 goals in four years, including 20 hat tricks. He was an MVP and also won all- conference honors in both sports as a junior and senior. Following his graduation from USM, he played four years of soccer on the first team at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and was the captain of the team in his senior year. Returning to the United States, he played two years of professional soccer with the Milwaukee Wave.

 

 

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Alex Reinhart '03

In cross country, Alex Reinhart ’03 set the school record in the 5k in 2003, was a WIAA first-place finisher his junior year, and lead team to a Midwest Classic Conference championship. In track, he set the school record in the 3200, was named first team all-state three times, and won the team sportsmanship award. He was named first team all-conference all four years in both sports. Upon graduation, he continued his running career at Duke University, where he earned nine letters in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track.

 

 

Coaches

Liz Krieg '79

Liz Krieg’s ’79 illustrious 12-year career as USM’s varsity field hockey coach resulted in seven consecutive conference championships, five Wisconsin High School Field Hockey Association state championships, and a record of 129–50–17. Krieg was not only known for her leadership on the field, she was revered for her mentorship and the positive difference she made in the lives of the athletes she coached. In addition to her coaching, Krieg also served as USM’s director of College Guidance and a part-time history teacher.

 

 

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Lowell MacDonald Sr.

Lowell MacDonald Sr. began his coaching career at University School of Milwaukee in 1979. Prior to that, he was a professional National Hockey League winger who played during the 1960s and 1970s for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. MacDonald wore many hats during his tenure at USM, including athletic director and boys’ varsity hockey coach from 1979 to 1997, as well as varsity golf coach for five of those years. He was known for always stepping in to help support the lives of USM athletes, and for championing the growth and success of USM athletics. 

 

 

Distinguished Contributor

John "J.S." Stephens

John Stephens, affectionately known as “JS,” served the school for 53 years as teacher, coach, and administrator. During the day, he taught history and economics; after school he coached 8th grade football in the 1950s and 1960s, varsity basketball from 1963 to 1964, varsity baseball, junior varsity basketball and, in the 1970s, varsity softball. He was a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association board of directors in the 1980s and 1990s, serving many terms. A favorite of many students was “JS Ball,” a game he organized and participated in on Fridays during the winter. All four of his children played sports at USM and he supported them enthusiastically, as well as his students in all sports over the years. He was widely recognized as someone who embodied the spirit of the school.

 

Team

USM Hockey 1968

The 1968 hockey team’s secret weapon was, without question, the experience and depth of its roster, which was dominated by juniors and seniors. With captains Phil Uihlein ’68 and Chris Wright ’69 leading the high-powered offense, combined with a strong defense, the excellent goaltending of Frank Briber ’68, and expert coaching of Tony Fritz, the team was nearly unstoppable. At one point in the season the team had nine consecutive victories, resulting in the most successful season in the history of USM at the time. The team elevated the USM hockey program not only within the state but also the country, and ended its 1968 season with a record of 17–2.