Experience the power of a UWL education through high-impact learning and life-long friendships, all while surrounded by the epic beauty of La Crosse. Follow your path. We’ll show you the way.
You’re part of a group of truly amazing people. At UWL, we are inspired every day by the driven, active and engaged students who make us so proud. That’s right, you’re amazing!
Here in La Crosse, people come together to work for the common good.
At UWL, we live out the Wisconsin idea of public service and community engagement. We are proud to work with our many partners in La Crosse, giving back every day to a community that generously supports our teaching, learning and service mission.
The "La Crosse Experience" stays with you for a lifetime.
UWL pride stays strong long after graduation! Stay connected with our beautiful campus and the faculty and friends who made your "La Crosse Experience" so special.
Experts. Scholars. Public servants. Community members.
UWL consistently delivers a high-quality and life-changing experience. We’re able to do it because of you, our talented and dedicated faculty and staff. You are the reason for our excellence!
Photo Credit: University Communications
Read more →
Alums find joy in ultramarathons
It’s an hour before sunrise when Jacob Hegge, ’13, crosses the finish line in Superior. He’s the first person to break the tape in the 100-mile ultramarathon run, after 19 hours and 30 minutes of constant running.
Not far behind is Michael Borst, ’15. He earns second in the grueling-sounding run. “There’s no way to truly get in shape for a 100-miler,” says Hegge. “It’s all in your head.”
The duo, picking up the name ‘the La Crosse boys’ in the ultramarathon-scene, have been earning top finishes in races that go distances farther than a 26.2 mile marathon across the area.
They have been using the vast trail system in La Crosse together to train since Borst’s freshman year at UWL. Both had previously run track and cross country, but Hegge says they “found the trail system, got lost in it and have been going in the ultra scene ever since.”
They can often be found running with the sunrise in the bluffs. “Mostly we’re out there shooting the breeze and having fun,” says Hegge.
The (not-so) distant future
Hegge and Borst are both in the physical therapy graduate program at UWL. Both plan to incorporate their running experience into their patient care.
“A lot of runners feel a disconnect from their providers because they haven’t experienced the ‘I have to finish this race’ mindset,” says Borst. “To bring our experience into patient care would be very valuable.”
Hegge suggested opening a running specialty clinic in conjunction with Grand Bluff Running in downtown La Crosse. Tyler Heinz, ‘14, owns that store.
Heinz, who served as the support crew for Hegge and Borst in Superior, opened the running specialty store about a year and a half ago. “It started as a small business plan in a class project. A few years later, it’s a store.”
The business has also expanded with race management and timing. It also sponsors runners like Hegge and Borst.
“It’s nice to offer something for post-collegiate athletes to pursue what they love,” says Heinz.
Putting La Crosse on the running map
Together, the three runners organized an ultra-marathon through the trails of La Crosse. The Hixon 50 featured 230 runners on Nov. 1. “We all share a similar goal of putting La Crosse on the running map,” says Hegge.
The 25k and 50k races took runners through those same trails that have helped Hegge and Borst make a name in the ultramarathon-scene.
For the running trio, it’s just the beginning of accomplishing their goal. “We have big plans,” says Borst. “The running opportunities will keep growing and more people will be able to see why we’re always running on these trails.”
