Pioneers remember historic 1990-91 season
Platteville, Wis.- The 1990-91 University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s basketball team accomplished something no other athletic team ever did before at UW-Platteville. Thirty years ago, the Pioneers defeated Franklin & Marshall in the national championship game to claim the first of four national titles in the 1990s.
The 1990-91 team was a high scoring team that would pressure the opposing team from the time they got off the bus to the time the final horn blew. Bo Ryan was in his seventh year as the head coach and steadily built the Pioneers into one of the top teams in the country and the Wisconsin State University Conference, now known as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The 1990-91 Pioneer team still holds five WIAC team season records and is second in three others. The Pioneers scored the most points in a season (3,020), average point total (97.4), made field goals (1,150), free throws attempted (879) and steals (489). They are second in field goals attempted (2,236), free throws made (607) and assists (638).
The 1990-91 team was coming in with high expectations after winning the conference the year before and returning a majority of the team. Then Athletic Director and Head Football Coach George Chryst made the decision to leave the NAIA as a national organization and join the NCAA exclusively.
Head Coach Bo Ryan, players Sean Poole, Shawn Frison, Rob Jeter, T.J. Van Wie, Delano Brazil, Tim Decorah, Brian Gilmore, and managers Tim Dennim and Bruce Bidwell joined letsgopioneers.com on Zoom for a 30-year reunion. They shared their thoughts on their experience and run to history.
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Team Photo
Row 1 (L-R): Andy Perdue, Pete Lupori, Pat Murphy, Brain Zetting, Bill Morgan.
Row 2 (L-R) Bruce Birdsell (Mgr.), Rob Schipper, Bob Petrowitz (Asst. Coach), Jon Nedelcoff (Asst. Coach), Todd Landrum (Asst. Coach) Bo Ryan (Head Coach), Greg Quam (Asst. Coach), Dan Burreson (Asst. Coach) Ernie Peavy.
Row 3 (L-R) Dennis Fry (Student Trainer), Tom Demmin (Mgr.) Brian Gilmore, Carlton Jeter, Mike Jones, Robby Jeter, Mark Macomber, Sean Poole, Shawn Frison, Delano Brazil, Tim Decorah, T.J. Van Wie.
Not in Photo: Tim O'Connell
Video Clips from 1991 team zoom reunion on February 11, 2021
Bo Ryan explains the decision for UW-Platteville to go from NAIA to NCAA Division III:
Sophomore Guard T.J. Van Wie on expectations coming into 1991:
Senior managers Tom Demmin and Bruce Birdsell feelings on 1991 expectations and team overall:
Senior guard/forward Shawn Frison asks Coach Ryan where he came up with the "Hill":
Senior Delano Brazil on expectations coming into 1991:
Senior forward Sean Poole on his goal coming into season:
Junior forward Brian Gilmore explains the fundraising for trip to Hawaii and fan support:
Coach Ryan tells story about a trip to the beach in Hawaii and Shawn Frison explains how UW-Platteville gave him oppurtunities through basketball:
Head Coach Bo Ryan and Senior Forward Rob Jeter talk on the leadership the 1998 WIAC Championship seniors provided:
Head Coach Bo Ryan on team unity:
Senior guard Tim Decorah explains what it is like running in to fans now:
Senior forward Sean Poole thoughts on season, fans and team:
Bo on crowd at Final Four in Springfield, Ohio and the joy he felt for the team and fans:
Senior Guard Rob Jeter on a saying Coach Ryan always used:
