MENOMONIE – After an illustrious 35-year career with University of Wisconsin-Stout, including 15 years as Athletic Director, Duey Naatz has announced his retirement effective September 2. Naatz, the ninth athletic director with the second longest tenure in UW-Stout history, leaves behind a legacy of leadership, growth and dedication to Blue Devil athletics.
Naatz’s journey with UW-Stout began in 1990 when he joined the Athletic Department following a stint as a graduate assistant at the University of North Dakota. Over the subsequent three and a half decades, he served in a variety of roles, including assistant football coach, head football coach, strength and conditioning coordinator, assistant track coach, facilities manager and instructor in the Physical Education Department. His tenure as athletic director, which began in June 2010, marked the pinnacle of a career defined by a commitment to student-athlete success and program excellence.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude on behalf of my family and myself for the incredible opportunities and support that UW Stout, Blue Devil Athletics, and the Menomonie community have given me.” Naatz sad. “All of the alumni and the people who I have worked with on this great campus and within the WIAC and the NCAA are relationships and friendships that will continue and that I will always cherish.”
As athletic director, Naatz oversaw 22 varsity programs and served as a member of the chancellor’s cabinet, a role he assumed in Spring 2021. Under his leadership, UW-Stout athletics experienced significant growth and modernization. His initiatives included the establishment of scholar-athlete and senior awards events, roster size increases, improvements in overall GPA and graduation rates, and the addition of new programs such as esports, dance, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and women’s flag football.
“Improving the student-athlete experience has always been a priority,” Naatz said. “I have been truly blessed to have the support of the administration and to work with the wonderful people in the athletics department.”
Naatz led major facility projects, including the Nelson Field Soccer Complex renovation, the stadium turf renovation, and championed the planned Recreation Complex renovation. He also championed branding efforts, such as the Adidas partnership, logo updates, and a mascot upgrade, alongside the development of the Blue Devil Fund and Giving Day initiatives, which significantly boosted fundraising efforts.
“At each step of his career, Duey has had a meaningful impact on the Blue Devil athletics program and has supported the success of our student-athletes and the well-being of our entire campus community,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said. “We are extremely grateful for the work he has done to position our program for future success.”
Before stepping into an administrative role, Naatz made his mark as head football coach from 2007 to 2009. During his three seasons at the helm, he compiled a 17-13 overall record with consistent improvement each year. The 2009 season saw the Blue Devils finish 8-2, the third time in school history the team achieved eight or more wins in a single season. He also coached Jason Lehman to a national shot-put title in track and field and guided back-to-back WIAC scholar-athletes Jake Pomputis and Shay Lehman during his head coaching tenure.
“Memories of watching our students, coaches and staff compete for championships and to be part of their journey has been very special,” Naatz said.
Naatz’s influence extended beyond UW-Stout to the national stage. He served two four-year terms on the NCAA Division III Football Championships Committee, chairing the committee for four of those years (2013, 2014, 2020 and 2021). In 2022, he consulted for the host school, Stevenson University, in Annapolis, Maryland. In January 2024, Naatz joined the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, representing UW-Stout and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
Naatz and his wife, Kay, have two son – Tyler, a UW-Stout graduate and former football scholar-athlete, and AJ, who is pursuing a doctorate in special education at UW-Madison. An avid outdoorsman, Naatz enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.
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