Hall of Fame
Scot Vesterdahl, Fitness Center and Intramural Sports Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the college, grew up in Stoughton, WI, where he was a four-sport high school student-athlete (basketball, football, baseball, track & field) for the Vikings. After graduating from high school in 1977, he attended college at UW-Stevens Point and Luther College where he earned varsity letters for both baseball and basketball. In 1982, Scot earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an Exercise Physiology emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In the spring of 1987, Scot was hired as the Fitness and Intramural Director at the college by then, athletic director, Jack Brenegan. Scot added head men’s basketball coach to his list of duties mid-way through the 1996-97 school year. Scot coached the men’s team for the next two seasons leading them to back-to-back conference and state titles. His team’s placed second in the region both seasons and posted an impressive 50-20 two-year record. For his efforts, Scot received back-to-back Wisconsin Junior College Athletic Association coach-of-the-year honors.
“When I hired Scot I was hoping to get a top quality, honest person who would be loyal and stay with us for many years. With Scot, we got all that and more,” commented former athletic director, Jack Brenegan. “He agreed to take the basketball position at a time when the program needed help. Scot answered the call and turned the program around while positively impacting the lives of hundreds of student-athletes. I am thankful to Scot for what he has done for the department, basketball program and the college.”
Scot stepped away from the men’s basketball program after the 1998-99 season to spend more time with his family and coach his sons, Matt and Kyle, at Stoughton High School. Scot coached the Vikings for three seasons before returning to the college coaching ranks in 2004. In his first season back at Madison College his team won the conference title, placing second in the region with an impressive 27-7 overall record. Over the next four seasons, his teams won two conference and three state titles. Scot earned three more coach-of-the-year honors during that span. All-in-all, Scot has coached fourteen and a half seasons for Madison College, amassing a 249-242 overall record. More important than his teams’ win-loss record is the fact that Scot has made a meaningful impact on countless student-athletes lives. His passion for the game of basketball and his passion to help young people find their way is always on display.
“Scot Vesterdahl has left an indelible mark on Madison College Athletics and our department as a whole. Scot has been a great teacher and role model for our men’s basketball players and has modeled for all the importance of fitness, health and wellness in our daily lives,” said Director of Athletics, Steve Hauser. “Scot’s contributions to our department rank right up there with the likes of JoAnn Walker and Denny Hoeser. I am tremendously grateful for Scot’s collaborative approach and the impact that he has had over the past 30 years at Madison College.”
In addition to his coaching success, Scot has been a real advocate for both the students and our beloved Big Dog. With his help the college added a student health clinic and just this spring the college’s first challenge course is up and running. Scot has been a father figure and “sheriff” to Big Dog. Scot started Dogger on a workout regimen, has taken him to countless sporting events and even helped him find a place to live closer to the college.
Scot is also a devoted husband and father who loves to travel and spend time with his family. Scot has lived in Stoughton with his wife Linda and will be looking forward to visiting his sons, Matt and Kyle, more as he moves into a new chapter in his life… soon. His contributions to the students and college are immeasurable.
