Fritsch Announces Retirement
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Don Fritsch, Head Coach of the Viterbo University Men's and Women's Cross Country teams, has officially announced his retirement. He has served as Viterbo's head coach, as well as the director of distance for the Men's and Women's Track and Field teams, for the past six years.
"I want to thank Don for his leadership of our Men's and Women's Cross Country teams," said Viterbo Athletics Director Barry Fried. "He's had a tremendous career and has committed most of his life to coaching and helping his student-athletes become the best they can be. We're fortunate he could spend the last six years at Viterbo. I wish him the best in his retirement."
Prior to joining the V-Hawks, Fritsch was the head coach for the UW-La Crosse Men's Cross Country team for 14 years, in which the Eagles captured NCAA Division III National Championships in 2001 and 2005 as well as eight conference titles. Additionally, Fritsch led the UWL Men's Track and Field team to the 2008 NCAA Division III Indoor Championship title.
Before coaching at the college level, Fritsch was the head coach of the boys and girls cross country programs at Stevens Point (Wis.) Pacelli High School from 1981-90, where he earned Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association (WISAA) Coach of the Year honors four times. There, he coached the boys and girls programs to a combined 15 WISAA Division II cross country championships. He also guided the girls track & field program at the school to two girls' track & field team state titles from 1985-91.
Fritsch's first season in 2017 saw a fifth-place finish in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) for the men's team, and a sixth-place finish for the women. One runner earned All-Conference and qualified for the National Championship Meet, two runners were NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and six were Conference Scholar Athletes.
Both teams improved in Fritsch second year, with the Men placing 4th in conference, with one All-Conference and the women placing fifth. The Men's team also had First-Team and Third-Team All-State performers in the Wisconsin Private College Championships. Four V-Hawks were NAIA Scholar-athletes and six were conference Scholar-Athletes.
2019 saw Viterbo's Men's team's best finish in program history, placing second in the NSAA and sending two All-Conference runners to the National meet. The Women's team also continued to improve, placing third in conference and also sending two All-Conference runner to Nationals. Three runners were named USTFCCA All-Academic, with the Men earning the Team Academic Award. Additionally, five were NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 15 were conference Scholar-Athletes.
Fritsch led the Women's team to their first NSAA Conference title in 2020, their first conference title since 2010 when Viterbo was in the Midwest Collegiate Conference, and was named the NSAA Coach of the Year. Three V-Hawks made the All-Conference Team, and Viterbo finished 33rd at the national meet. The Men's team finished third in the conference meet and sent two runners to Nationals, including the best time ever ran by a V-Hawk at the NAIA Championships. 12 V-Hawks were NSAA Scholar Athletes.
In 2021, Fritsch coached his first Individual Champion, as Drake Ingold won the Conference meet, and qualified for nationals as the Men's team finished fourth. The Women's team finished second in the NSAA with three All-Conference performers.
In his final season with Viterbo, Fritsch led the V-Hawks Women to their second conference title in three years as four V-Hawks earned All-Conference and Viterbo finished 33rd at the National Championships. The Men's team finished third and sent one All-Conference runner to nationals. Eight runners were named NAIA Scholar Athletes.
Coach Fritsch said of his time coaching:
"Words can't describe how incredibly proud I am of all of the student-athletes and teams I've had the privilege of coaching over the past 43 years. They've all proven that by setting goals and being dedicated to working hard to achieve them that it can pay off in a big way.
I have been honored to coach so many great kids and teams at all levels. I've always been lucky when it comes to coaching because I've always been blessed to work with great kids and that history has continued here at Viterbo University.
I thank Barry Fried and Viterbo University for allowing me the opportunity to extend my coaching career over the span of the last 6 years. It has provided me with many memorable experiences and opportunities.
My wife and I are leaving the working world together as we are both retiring this May. We want the opportunity to travel and do many other things that we have not had the time for and be able to enjoy those activities while we still can. As I approach my 70th birthday, I just know that it is time to allow someone else with higher energy levels to take over the program and see where they can take it.
Although I am technically retiring, I'm really just stepping away from the head coaching responsibilities. If it works out, I'd like to stay involved with the Viterbo program as a part-time assistant or volunteer and I'd also like to stay involved with the greater La Crosse Cross Country community by helping to continue the development and improvement of the trails and Cross Country courses at Maple Grove Venues."