Story Links
MADISON, Wis. – Autumn Seebach, a senior from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Swimming & Diving Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.
Hailing from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Seebach boasts an impressive 3.96 grade point average. She is pursuing a major in biology with a focus on biomedical science while also holding minors in chemistry, neuroscience, and a certificate in Spanish for health professionals. Seebach’s academic excellence is highlighted by her three-time inclusion in the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and multiple appearances on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List, including five terms in the Eagle Elite – 4.0 Club. Her dedication to her studies has also earned her two academic scholarships.
This year, Seebach played a vital role in helping UW-La Crosse clinch the WIAC Championship, securing second place in the 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke, and 800-yard freestyle relay, along with a third-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley. Last year, she was instrumental in leading the 800-yard freestyle relay to a second-place finish. Additionally, at the 2022 WIAC Championship, Seebach achieved a first-place victory in the 200-yard backstroke and was the runner-up in the 100-yard backstroke. UW-La Crosse also captured the conference title that year, with Seebach being recognized as her team’s Hardest Worker and Gold Eagle Award recipient in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Seebach is actively involved in her community and campus life. She has held leadership positions as secretary and vice president of UW-La Crosse’s Pre-Medicine Club and served as treasurer for the university’s Make-A-Wish chapter. As an Emergency Medical Technician for Gundersen Tri-State, she contributes to community healthcare. Furthermore, Seebach is a part of UW-La Crosse Vanguards, conducting campus tours for prospective students and families, and has worked as a teaching assistant in the Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory, along with serving as a Spanish Conversation Partner.
Other candidates nominated for this esteemed scholar-athlete award include Kiara Bissen from UW-Eau Claire (Sr., Madison, Wis./Memorial), Francesca Schiro from UW-Oshkosh (Sr., New Glarus, Wis./New Glarus), Kyler Ernst from UW-Stevens Point (Sr., Fountain City, Wis./Onalaska Luther), and Lydia Wirkkula from UW-Whitewater (So., West Bend, Wis./West).
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named in honor of Judy Kruckman, who served as the Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996 to 1998. Previously, she was the Commissioner for the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October 1984 to September 1996. Kruckman also held the position of women’s athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974 to 1984 and was one of the founding representatives of the WWIAC upon its establishment in 1971. She proudly became a member of the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.
To be eligible for this scholar-athlete accolade, nominees must maintain a minimum 3.50 GPA, be in their final year of competition or on track to graduate during the academic year, and have participate in collegiate athletics for at least two years. The award selection is based on academic performance, athletic achievements, and involvement in campus organizations and community service initiatives.
# # # # #
