Former Eisenhower coach Jeff Setz dies Thursday

The New Berlin Eisenhower community was mourning the loss of former football and softball coach Jeff Setz, who died after a battle with cancer Thursday at age 65. Setz led the Lions football program to state championships in 1995 and 1996 and also led the program's softball team to the 2008 state title.

Setz was an assistant with the football team as recently as last year, when Eisenhower celebrated the 20th anniversary of that first title -- the first state crown for any team sport in school history. He was diagnosed with his illness last spring.

"Jeff spent his entire adult life teaching and coaching youth in our community," Eisenhower athletics director Kevin Fitzgerald said in an email. "His impact on students, both in academics and athletics, is immeasurable.  As a staple in the New Berlin community, Jeff touched the lives of thousands through his positive nature and unwavering love for his students."

Ike defeated Ashland in 1995 for the state title, capping an 11-1 season with the Division 3 title at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. David Gaulke scored the lone touchdown of the game and kicked the extra point in a 7-6 nail-biter.

"We had a limited budget, and we had two coaches on offense, including me, and two on defense, and we all coached two positions," Setz said last year before the 20-year anniversary. "But we got the job done; they were quality coaches."

Setz was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Eisenhower became a regular contender for the Woodland Conference title under Setz, who turned the reins over to Matt Kern before the 2014 season.

It was Setz's second stint as head coach. He went 100-48 and reached the playoffs in 11 of his 14 years when he was head coach from 1991 to 2005, and he returned to lead the team from 2008-13.

The softball team also became an area powerhouse under Setz, winning its first game at the state tournament in 2008 with a thrilling semifinal win over Southern Door. Down to Eisenhower's final out, Katie Potts hit a two-run single to tie the game in the seventh, and Megan Yanny's RBI double in the ninth gave the Lions the edge they needed. Ike went on to defeat Monroe, 6-0, in the title game for the Division 2 crown. Ike went back to state in 2014.

Details are still forthcoming on the visitation services, which are expected to include a ceremony at Eisenhower to accommodate the large number of anticipated attendees.