STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Sheila Miech, the only head coach in the 25-year history of the UW-Stevens Point women's soccer program, announced that she is retiring from her position.
“I would like to thank my family, John, Jesse and Ryan, for allowing me to do what I love all of these years as well as all of the great people who helped create an awesome soccer tradition at UWSP,” said Miech. “I am proud to have been a part of one of the most successful Division III athletic programs in the nation. To all of the players, assistant coaches and administrative staff that have contributed to my success and happiness and UWSP, I say thank you.”
The first female inductee into the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012, Miech was a nine-time Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Coach of the Year and led the Pointers to an unprecedented 133-12-7 conference record over the 20-year history of the sport as a league-sponsored championship.
Miech leaves the Pointers ranking sixth on the all-time NCAA Division III wins list (365-117-31) and led UWSP to 14 regular-season conference titles and 15 WIAC Tournament titles. She also guided the Pointers through the longest conference winning streak in NCAA history, a 70-match streak from 1997-2003.
Miech's WIAC Tournament résumé was just as impressive, sporting a 43-4 all-time record in the league's postseason tournament. Her teams represented the WIAC as the league's only participant in the NCAA Tournament until 2005.
Miech, the second female coach in any division of NCAA women's soccer to reach 200 career victories, led the Pointers to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances over her 25-year career, leading the team to the Sweet 16 five times and advancing to the Elite Eight three time, including the 2000 NCAA Final Four.
Miech was recently honored as the All-Time Women's Soccer Coach in conjunction with the WIAC Centennial Celebration. Miech has over 150 more wins than any other coach in conference history and retires as the league's all-time winningest coach.
A 1978 UW-Stevens Point graduate, Miech was a standout student-athlete for the Pointers, earning Female Athlete of the Year honors as a senior. She continued her association with UW-Stevens Point following graduation as an instructor in the School of Physical Education and Athletic Training (PEAT), earning various awards for her teaching. Miech is a native of Wausau and a graduate of Wausau West High School.
“Retirement is the beginning of a new life for me,” said Miech. It's time to challenge myself to new adventures.”
