Induction Video(Written: June 2015)Dr. Steve Kurth had a 36-year association with UW-Eau Claire athletics that began as a student-athlete in football and men’s basketball. He was an All-Conference center and linebacker in football and earned the team co-MVP award in 1960.
After two years in the Peace Corps, he returned to his alma mater in 1968 as a teaching member in the physical education department, while also serving as a men’s basketball assistant coach for seven years and football assistant coach for 15 years. Kurth served 17 years as the men’s athletics director (1975-92), including nine as chair of the combined department of physical education and athletics.
He spent 10 years on the NAIA District 14 executive committee with eight years as chair. Nationally, he chaired the NAIA District Chairs and the NAIA Divisions of Competition committees. For six years, he was on the NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Committee.
After being named Associate Dean of the UW-Eau Claire School of Education in 1992, Kurth continued his association with athletics as the men’s Faculty Athletics Representative. He was appointed to chair the transition team responsible for the merger of the Wisconsin State University Conference and the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which became official in 1997.
Kurth is a member of the NAIA District 14 and UW-Eau Claire halls of fame. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a broadfield social science major and physical education minor from UW-Eau Claire, master’s degree in physical education from Washington State University and doctorate in scientific bases of physical education from the University of Oregon. Kurth resides in Eau Claire, Wis.