(Written: June 2012)
Judy Kruckman served as commissioner of the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from 1984-96 and assistant commissioner of the WIAC from 1996-98.
She served as the women’s athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84. Kruckman also coached the Blugold women’s tennis team and women’s swimming squad. In 1983, the Blugold women captured the NAIA All-Sports Championship with Kruckman as athletics director.
Kruckman was one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971 and served as its president from 1974-76. She was beginning another term as president when she was appointed WWIAC Acting Commissioner for the 1984-85 academic year. Kruckman was selected as the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators District 6 Administrator of the Year in 1991 and received the Women’s Sports Advocates of Wisconsin, Inc. Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.
She was inducted into the UW-Eau Claire Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame in 1992. The WIAC Women’s Scholar-Athlete Award is named in her honor.
Kruckman earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UW-Eau Claire and master’s degree in physical education from UW-Madison. She resides in Madison, Wis.