Induction Video(Written: June 2015)Judy Wilson played a key role in starting intercollegiate athletic competition for women at UW-River Falls. She coached, administered and taught at the University from 1966-96. Wilson coached nearly every women’s sport at UW-River Falls, including field hockey from 1966-84, leading the 1978 squad to a spot in the AIAW Midwest Regional. In 1982, she was named conference Coach of the Year. Wilson coached several players who received College North Association honors and was in charge of the College North Association team in 1972.
As women’s tennis coach from 1966-70 and 1984-89, the 1988 team placed third in the conference and a player won the No. 1 singles title, as Wilson earned Coach of the Year recognition. She also coached women’s track & field.
Wilson, who was inducted into the UW-River Falls Hall of Fame in 1993, served as the top senior women’s administrator for the Falcon athletic department for several years. She is one of the original founders of the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and served as its president in 1982, 1985 and 1990. Wilson served as sports chair in women’s track & field for four years, as well as field hockey and women’s tennis for one year.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, master’s degree from Penn State University and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Wilson resides in River Falls, Wis.