After 18 wonderful seasons coaching volleyball here at UW-La Crosse, Sheila Perkins is retiring.  Perkins has accomplished a lot in her 18 seasons at UW-L, including a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Association Conference (WIAC) Coach of the Year title in 2003 after going 33-6.  She also led the school to its first conference championship in 2003, claiming the first WIAC title tournament in school history.

Perkins, a coach of 22 years, has established a 487-304 record with a winning percentage of .616.  In her years at UW-L, she is 385-193 which is a .666 winning percentage.  She led the Eagles to 20-win seasons in 14 of the last 16 years, six NCAA III tournaments in 14 years, and a back-to-back post season play (1997,1998).

Perkins has a strong belief in the philosophies and logic of Division III athletics. "I've always liked the philosophy of Division III athletics, and the competition at this level has always been good,"  said Perkins. "I respect the student-athletes for their accomplishments and their hard work. I see my role as a mentor more than anything else. Role models are important, and I hope I'm doing that for student-athletes here."

"Optimism is the key to success," according to Perkins. "In volleyball, success is 90 percent attitude," she said. "I want a player who is positive even when it's a negative situation. This is the player who will never be way up or way down emotionally, but always level-headed. They know if they blow one, they are going to get another chance, and that they will take care of the next one."

Perkins is always willing to help her athletes grow both athletically and academically. "We simply give them the freedom to take responsibility for themselves as athletes and students," said Perkins. "If they ever need anything, they know I will help them. I will not do it for them, but I will give them the guidance they need to get to where they want to go."

UW-L has one of the best and most consistent athletic programs in the top conference in Division III. "The best things about coaching at UW-L are the consistency in which the athletic administration deals with the coaches and the total program support we receive. It is unmatched by any other place I've ever been," said Perkins. "The other thing is that our athletes are dedicated to whatever they are doing both in athletics and in the classroom."