Deb Vercauteren is stepping down as head women’s track and field coach at Wisconsin-Oshkosh after leading teams to 14 Division III indoor and outdoor team titles.

She said she would continue to assist with the track team while also retaining duties as head women’s cross country coach and senior assistant athletics director.

Her teams swept Division III indoor and outdoor team championships four times (1995, 1996, 2004 and 2006) and claimed a total of eight outdoor championships and six indoor titles during her 28 years as coach.

“It’s time for a change and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve as an assistant track and field coach,” Vercauteren said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my times as head coach and am thankful for all the opportunities and support that the UW-Oshkosh administration has given me. I’m proud of the success we’ve had, including winning championships and having student-athletes shine in the classroom.”

Last season, the Titans fell just short of notching a record ninth outdoor team title. The team finished two points behind champion Wartburg.  By winning, Wartburg clinched the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s inaugural Deb Vercauteren Award, honoring the year’s best all-around Division III women’s track and field and cross country program.

On the academic side, Vercauteren coached 11 Academic All-America honorees, and Wisconsin-Oshkosh miler Ayla Mitchell was the USTFCCCA’s 2009 indoor track scholar-athlete of the year.

Titan student-athletes claimed 56 Division III individual titles, including Mitchell’s win last March in the mile run.

“There are not enough words to express my amazing experience with coach Vercauteren and the UW-Oshkosh women’s track and field program,” said another Titan titlist, nine-time individual champion Liz Woodworth.

“She was a fantastic coach, a great mentor and friend. She taught me a lot about running, self-confidence and life. I’m very proud of her and all that she has accomplished.”

As the coach of four national cross country championship teams, Vercauteren is the only coach who has guided women to Division III cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field team titles.

“An era comes to a close with Deb as our head women’s track and field coach,” said Allen Ackerman, Wisconsin-Oshkosh director of athletics. “Fortunately for UW-Oshkosh and our student-athletes, Deb will still be a part of the athletics department. The women in our track and field program will still get the mentoring and have the opportunity to be associated with one of the all-time coaching greats at any level.”