Chris O'Connell
Class of 1972

   Chris graduated from Mukwonago High School in 1972 where he lettered in football and was co-captain of the track team.

   While attending college, Chris played football his freshman year and lettered in track.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he majored in physical education, coaching, and adaptive physical education.

   After graduating, he moved to Eau Claire and became the adaptive physical education teacher at the Eau Claire Academy, a residential treatment center for adolescents.

   After high school, Chris continued to be involved in sports.  He went on to compete for two decades in racquetball and men’s softball.  He captured eight State championships in racquetball.

   Chris started his 30 year coaching career at Mukwonago High School.  He was an assistant football coach under Don Enright and an assistant track coach under Harold Nordentoft and John Dahle.

   Chris also was an assistant football coach at La Crosse Aquinas, Viroqua, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and Regis High School.  He became the head football coach at Eau Claire Regis in 1989.  While coaching at La Crosse Aquinas he helped coach the girls track team in 1976 which won State.

   During Chris’ coaching career at Regis, the Ramblers won four state championships in 1992, 1993, 1999, and 2003 and a State runner up title in 2002.  The Ramblers qualified for the State playoffs 11 times.  During his 18 years with the Rambles, he helped build a tradition of excellence, teamwork and having fun.

   During this time, Chris was named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, Alumni Coach of the Year at UW-La Crosse, and District Coach of the Year.  He was the head coach for the North All-Star Team in 2008.  He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Eau Claire Regis Hall of Fame in 2010.

   Chris was blessed to have coached many great young athletes.  He was always proud of their accomplishments on and off the field.  Since retiring from high school football, Chris continues to be involved in the game he loves by coaching a local semi-pro football team, which has won five conference championships in a row.

   Chris married his wife, Cheryl in 1984 and they have two sons, Ryan and Mike.  Coaching his two sons was one of the highlights of his career as each son was named to the All-State Football team and played in the WFCA All-Star game.

2011 INDUCTEE
MUKWONAGO HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
AUGUST, 2011