UWEC Athletics Hall of Fame
Jon Wallenfelsz ranks among the best centers to ever don a Blugold basketball uniform. The 6-8 giant, who prepped at D. C. Everest High School in Schofield, came off the bench in his first two games as a freshman, then started 102 consecutive games. He went on to score 1,538 points, grab 898 rebounds and block 242 opposing shots. At the time of his induction, his scoring total ranked ninth on the all-time Blugold scoring list while his rebound total was fifth best and his blocked shot total was second. Wallenfelsz was a team captain and team MVP his senior year when the Blugolds posted a 27-6 record and finished as the runner-up in the NCAA championship tournament. Wallenfelsz had to watch the final three games of his career after he blew out his knee in the NCAA sectional semifinals.
“Wally” as he was called, earned All-Conference and NABC All-Region Second Team honors three consecutive years. He also was tabbed a D3hoops.com All-American First Team selection as a senior. His best year average-wise came during his sophomore season when he scored at a 17.8 clip and pulled 9.6 boards per outing. With his size, he was efficient around the rim, converting field goals at a .580 clip that included .616 as a senior. He was named to nine All-Tournament teams and four times was a tournament MVP. Among his team awards were the Most Valuable New Player (96-97), Honorary Captain (98-99, 99-00), MVP (97-98, 98-99, 99-00), Inspiration Award (99-00), team FG% leader (four times) and team rebound leader (three times).
Wallenfelsz graduated in 2001 as a marketing major. He spent three years with Menards Inc. in the management training program. At the time of his induction and since 2004 he had been employed by Optum, a part of UnitedHealth Group, in La Crosse as a Senior Recovery/Resolution Analyst.
