News release
KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna Area School District will recognize a lifetime of service to Kaukauna athletics and the community this Friday, September 11, with the formal naming of the football field at Bank of Kaukauna Stadium in honor of Robert “Bob” “Dinger” Wurdinger.
Wurdinger will be honored before Friday night’s Kaukauna High School football game, when the field will officially be named Wurdinger Field at Bank of Kaukauna Stadium.
A lifelong Kaukauna resident and 1962 graduate of Kaukauna High School, Wurdinger earned eight varsity letters in football and track before beginning a coaching career that would span decades. He played an instrumental role in the newly formed Hollandtown Raiders, later the Kaukauna Raiders, and served as head coach for 24 years, compiling a record of 418 wins, 16 losses and three ties. He also served as an assistant football coach at Lawrence University across multiple decades and spent an additional 20 years as an assistant coach at Kaukauna High School, including the Ghosts’ 1992 state runner up season and 1995 Fox Valley Association division championship.
In recognition of his coaching career and impact on the sport, Wurdinger was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010. He was also inducted into the Kaukauna Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.
His contributions have extended well beyond coaching. Over the years, Wurdinger has supported youth athletics and facility improvements in countless ways, at times even mortgaging his own home to help fund youth football programs. He also helped lead the effort to build the press box at Bayorgeon Field and advocated for improved athletic facilities at KHS, helping begin conversations that ultimately contributed to the major athletic facility improvements completed in 2016, including Bank of Kaukauna Stadium.
“It is truly a special moment to be able to recognize Bob Wurdinger tonight. Few people have impacted so many lives in such a meaningful way like Bob. Bob is the cornerstone of Kaukauna athletics and given more to others in this community than most will ever know. Bob’s selfless commitment to all of Kaukauna will forever be recognized here tonight,” KHS Football Coach Matt Binsfeld said.
Wurdinger remains closely connected to Kaukauna athletics today, regularly attending events and continuing to travel with the KHS football team to away games.
The effort to name the field in Wurdinger’s honor was initiated by Kaukauna High School graduate Matt Vanden Heuvel in recognition of Wurdinger’s extraordinary and lasting contributions to Kaukauna students, athletics and the broader community.
