UW-River Falls - Pierce County Journal

The Falcon defense smothered Southern Virginia, winning 73-7 on opening day Thursday.

Defending champions return to field with 10-touchdown decimation

RIVER FALLS — Week one football can often be a case of the good, the bad and the ugly, but not for UWRF when they took the field for the first time since winning the Division III National … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/9/26

UWRF Athletic Director Crystal Lanning was named Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports and will be recognized at a national convention Oct. 12-14 in Chicago.

UWRF AD earns Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports

RIVER FALLS — University of Wisconsin-River Falls Athletic Director Crystal Lanning received a massive honor over the summer, being named the Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/9/26

Paul and Karen Dykstra pose for a photo in the UW-River Falls Falcon Center. Paul Dykstra, a 1983 graduate, two-sport athlete and longtime supporter of UWRF, will donate $1 million to establish the Falcon Athletics Endowment for Excellence focused on enhancing student-athletes’ intercollegiate athletics experience.

Falcon alum establishes $1 million endowment for UW-River Falls Athletics

RIVER FALLS — A former University of Wisconsin-River Falls two-sport athlete who has been an engaged and generous supporter of the university for more than four decades has established the largest … more

6/10/26

For the third consecutive year, UWRF is the Division III Women’s Hockey National Champion.

‘Pay a price for success:' UWRF Women’s Hockey wins back-to-back-to-back National Championships

RIVER FALLS — The trophy case is filling up in a hurry at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, winning a third consecutive Division III Women’s Hockey National Championship, the school’s … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/30/26

Williams makes one last surge for a goal while UWRF defenders barricade the net in the waning seconds of the NCAA Quarterfinal in River Falls on March 21

Falcons headed to Frozen Four after fending off aggressive Williams squad

RIVER FALLS — A second period goal and 60 minutes of aggressive hockey went UWRF’s way as the Falcons inked a spot into the Frozen Four for the eighth time in school history. The Falcons are … more

By Andrew Harrington | 3/25/26

University of Wisconsin River Falls Football Head Coach Matt Walker resigned Feb. 22 to take on the head coach position at Drake.

UWRF Coach Walker takes Drake job, Wissing steps in as Falcons’ interim head coach

UWRF football Head Coach Matt Walker resigned from his role Sunday night, taking a head coach position at the Division I FCS level at Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. "I'm not sure there are words to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 2/23/26

UWRF quarterback Kaleb Blaha wields the Division III National Championship trophy during the Jan. 28 parade down Main Street in River Falls.

GALLERY: To the victor go the spoils: UWRF Football parades the streets after National Championship

The River Falls Fire Department was joined by several neighboring fire departments to give a lift to the national champion University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons football team during the Jan. … more

2/4/26

UWRF players rejoice after winning the Division III National Championship for the first time in school history in Hall of Fame Stadium at Canton, Ohio, Jan. 4 24-14 over North Central.

‘The mud is the process it takes to be in the clouds’: UWRF wins first football National Title in school history

Canton, OHIO — They have done it. For the first time in school history, the University of Wisconsin River Falls is the Division III Football National Champion. In a defensive Stagg Bowl finale, an … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/5/26

Woodbury’s Blake Rohrer scores a 79-yard touchdown in the final minute to beat Johns Hopkins and advance to the National Championship.

Local players lead UWRF to National Championship game

It all comes down to this. The spectacular UW-River Falls Falcons are 13-1, WIAC champions and heading to the Stagg Bowl to compete for a National Championship. In what has become the greatest season … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/31/25

Senior defensive lineman Jack Olson out of Prescott lays a hit on the Johns Hopkins quarterback in a wild 48-41 win to advance to the Stagg Bowl.

Wild final minute lands UWRF in Stagg Bowl

RIVER FALLS — The score was 41-41 with just over three minutes to play in the Division III Semi-Final on Saturday. UW-River Falls and Johns Hopkins had gone back-and-forth all afternoon through … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/20/25

Senior quarterback Kaleb Blaha threw for 407 yards and four touchdowns in yet another dominant playoff win Dec. 13.

Falcons still rolling through postseason, advancing to D3 semi-finals

RIVER FALLS — The UWRF Falcons are still tearing their way through the Division III football bracket, smacking Wheaton 46-21 in the quarterfinals. Now at 12-1 on the season, River Falls will host … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/17/25

Sophomore Elmwood native Trevor Asher bulldozes in for a touchdown in a blowout postseason win over St. John’s.

UWRF displays mental fortitude after uncharacteristic opening minute

RIVER FALLS — UWRF football continued its bracket annihilation in the NCAA Division III playoffs, crushing St. John’s 42-14 to make the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The opening drive … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/11/25

Senior quarterback Kaleb Blaha collected five total touchdowns in a dominant 58-7 playoff win for UWRF.

UWRF wins blizzard bash in style

RIVER FALLS — At 10-1 on the year, UWRF football won the WIAC conference for the first time since 1998. The team has ranked as high as No. 4 in Division 3 during the year and reached the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 12/3/25

UW-River Falls Falcon Football earned a first-round bye to host a second round game on Saturday, Nov. 29, (facing the winner of the Nov. 22 matchup between Whitworth University & Chapman University). Kickoff is set for noon at Ramer Field.

UW-River Falls football to host NCAA Playoff second round matchup

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The NCAA Division III Football Committee announced Sunday afternoon the 40-team field that will compete in the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Championship, with UW-River … more

11/19/25

Elmwood sophomore Trevor Asher is the second leading rusher for UWRF football this season.

Home sweet home: Local athletes have UWRF football making history

There are few better feelings in life than representing your hometown in whatever you do. For a handful of University of Wisconsin-River Falls football players, they get to do that while staying … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/12/25

The Skinny on Falcon Sports: UWRF softball preview

The comedian Rodney Dangerfield said in an online clip to Johnny Carson, I saw recently, that he had had a bad day. He explained that he picked up his shirt and a button fell off. Then he picked up … more

By Don Richards | 4/16/25

The UW-River Falls Falcon Women’s Hockey team defeated Amherst College to win its second NCAA DIII championship title in as many years last weekend. Hunt Arena was home to a sold-out crowd as the Falcons made history yet again.

BACK 2 BACK! UWRF Women’s Hockey wins NCAA DIII championship

UW-River Falls Head Women's Hockey Coach Joe Cranston usually passes out his end-of-the-year player exit forms after the season is over. Not this year. The only head coach Falcon women's hockey has … more

By Greg Peters | 4/2/25

UWRF baseball goes 3-1 in first home opening series

UW-River Falls baseball had their first home opener in almost 23 years on Friday, hosting UW-Stevens Point. The Falcons' Cade Bruett (pictured on left) went 2-4 with an RBI. JV Castillo had three RBI … more

By Greg Peters | 4/2/25

The NCAA DIII Women's National Hockey Tournament in River Falls this past weekend had an approximate local economic impact of $300,000.

Frozen Four brings fever pitch to local businesses

RIVER FALLS – After winning his second national title in as many years, UW-River Falls Head Women's Hockey Coach Joe Cranston said senior forward Bailey Olson is the hardest working player he's … more

By Greg Peters | 4/2/25

UWRF freshman JV Castillo fouls off a bunt attempt during practice last week at First National Bank of River Falls Field.

UWRF Falcon baseball is back!

The last time UW-River Falls played an NCAA-sanctioned baseball game, it was almost 23 years ago. May 5, 2002, to be exact. The Falcons lost a 6-1 game to UW-Superior and after that game, the program … more

By Greg Peters | 3/19/25