Hall of Fame

Helen Briwa

Dr. Helen Briwa

  • Class
  • Induction
    2022
  • Sport(s)
    UW-Oshkosh
Induction Video

(Written: July 2022)

Dr. Helen Briwa is the only individual to serve as the women’s director of athletics at UW-Oshkosh, holding the role from 1971-88. UW-Oshkosh had its seven women’s programs combine to capture 18 conference titles during that period.

In 1970, she was a member of a three-person committee that drafted the constitution of the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Briwa was the WWIAC President in 1982 and Past President in 1983, and a member of the Search and Screen Committee that selected the first WWIAC Commissioner.

She helped form the Midwest Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women and served as Commissioner from 1971-73.

Briwa was UW-Oshkosh’s head coach in numerous sports, including women’s badminton (1974, 78-79), women’s field hockey (1968-92), softball (1971-72, 76), women’s track & field (1969, 74-77) and women’s volleyball (1968-73). She led the Titans to seven combined titles in the sports. In field hockey, Briwa secured conference Coach of the Year honors in 1981.

In 1989, she received a Special Recognition Award from the conference. In 2006, Briwa received the UW-Oshkosh Chancellor’s Medallion and was inducted into the UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame.

Briwa earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Skidmore College (N.Y.), master’s degree in physical education from Smith College (Mass.) and doctorate degree in physical education and guidance from The Ohio State University. She resides in Oshkosh, Wis.