Our final inductee cannot stay away from Madison College, and we’re beyond thankful for that. Bill Scheer has represented the college as a student-athlete, a coach, and a member of the basketball game day crew for more than four decades and counting.
Bill was a WIAA state qualifier in golf and a basketball point guard at Monona Grove High School. After being a member of the golf team at NCAA Division I University of Louisville, he joined Madison College in the fall of 1983. Playing under the direction of Hall of Fame head coach Doug Redsten, Bill enjoyed a successful season, earning Team Most Valuable Player, All-Wisconsin Technical College Conference, All-Wisconsin Junior College Athletic Association, and All-Region 13 accolades on his way to qualifying for the NJCAA Men’s Golf National Championships. He completed his season and career with a 79.8 scoring average.
Bill returned to Madison College ahead of the 1992-93 season and began a nine-year run as the men’s golf head coach. He left following the 2001 campaign, only to find his way back again in 2009 to be the head coach for the next three seasons. A third stint as head coach came with the 2013-14 season before he moved over to serve as an assistant coach for Bill Kokott from 2014 to 2017. In all, he guided the program for 13 years as a head coach.
Madison College golf enjoyed tremendous success during the Bill Scheer era, winning six conference titles and five state championships. He produced eight NJCAA National Tournament qualifiers and four NJCAA All-Americans, two of which finished as national runners-up in consecutive years. Additionally, Bill coached 28 all-conference recipients, 20 all-state honorees, and 18 all-region selections.
Despite never having a team qualify for nationals as the head coach, Bill was able to enjoy a fifth-place team finish at the 2016 NJCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships as an assistant coach. Bill’s teams, however, took home their share of tournament hardware, winning six tournaments. His 2010-2011 team ranks third in school history with a 313.8 scoring average, one stroke better thank his 2009-2010 squad. Bill’s teams from 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 are also in the top ten for scoring average.
In addition to his coaching exploits, Bill has remained a valuable asset to Madison College Athletics with his work as an official scorekeeper for many WolfPack basketball game days. In 2018, he received the Doug Redsten Memorial Service Award at the Madison College Athletics Banquet.
“This is certainly a full circle moment for me presenting this award to Bill. Bill played basketball for my father at Monona Grove back a few years ago and has been a part of Madison College ever since I started with the college over 23 years ago. He is a genuinely great person who has positively impacted so many student-athlete’s lives over his long tenure at the college. This was evidenced tonight as two of his prior players were Hall of Fame nominees. He is a phenomenal teacher of the game of golf and as personable guy you will find. I am so thankful he has stayed involved with our department and is receiving this deserving honor tonight.”
Away from Madison College, Bill has remained in the Madison-area working as a PGA Golf Professional for 30 years at several different courses. He also won a national award from the PGA Business School after earning the top score in the country.
When asked about his time at Madison College, Bill had the following to say:
"Madison College has had an indelible effect on my life as a player, coach and mentor. It was an amazing priviledge to work with so many great athletes, coaches, staff and administration. I thank all of them for how much they have enriched my life."
