Hall of Fame

John Zupanc

John Zupanc

  • Class
  • Induction
    2025
  • Sport(s)
    UW-Oshkosh
Induction Video

(Written: July 2025)

John Zupanc served as the UW-Oshkosh men’s cross country head coach from 1982-2010, the indoor track & field head coach from 2006-10, and outdoor track & field head coach from 2005-10.

Zupanc led the cross country program to NCAA Division III championships in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 2002, as well as seven conference titles. He was tabbed the NCAA Division III Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2002 and coached 20 athletes to 37 All-America performances. Zupanc received the conference’s Coach of the Year distinction seven times and had four runners combine for five conference titles.

Zupanc led the indoor and outdoor track & field programs to NCAA Division III titles in 2009. He coached three athletes to four indoor national titles and two relay teams to indoor championships. In outdoor competition, Zupanc coached three athletes to national titles.

Zupanc was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Coach of the Year twice – receiving the indoor honor in 2001 and outdoor award in 2009. Zupanc claimed the conference’s indoor coaching award in 2010. In 2009, Zupanc led UW-Oshkosh to the Al Carius Program of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the top men’s cross country and track & field institution in NCAA Division III.

Zupanc was inducted into the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame in 2012 and the UW-Oshkosh Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

Zupanc earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a teaching certification in secondary education, as well as a master’s degree in exercise physiology from UW-Madison. He resides in Omro, Wis., with his wife Deb Vercauteren, who was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.