If you ask his former players what they remember most about Steve Lowe, you'll probably get the same answer.
"Steve's passion for the game was unmatched by anyone else at that time," said Liz Tortorello Nelson, who set for the Badgers from 1988-91.
Lisa Boyd Piekarski, Wisconsin's first volleyball All-American agreed. "What I remember most about Steve was his passion for the game and his fun-loving personality. He could be very intense and yet we would laugh a lot also."
Lowe, who coached the Badgers volleyball team to its first Big Ten Conference championship, first national ranking and first NCAA tournament appearance in 1990, will be inducted into the Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday.
Lowe came to Wisconsin in 1986 after serving as an assistant coach at the University of the Pacific. The Badgers went from 7-24 in 1985 to 16-18 in Lowe's first season. Wisconsin recorded its first winning record in six years in 1987 as the team went 19-10.
In 1989, Lowe's Badgers showed what was to come as UW went 26-11 and won the inaugural National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
But Wisconsin's record-setting 1990 season didn't start out that great. The Badgers dropped their first three matches of the year, including a 3-1 loss to No. 1 UCLA.
But that was part of Lowe's plan according to Nelson. "He scheduled tough matches early on for us because he knew we were going to be good. He was right." Â
Wisconsin won 15 of its next 16 matches and went 16-2 in the Big Ten to win the program's first league title. Winning the conference gave UW its first bid to the NCAA tournament.
Along the way, Badger fans started to pay attention to Wisconsin volleyball. UW set a school record for attendance when 2,130 fans watched the UCLA match on Sept. 1. That mark went up to 2,267 in October, 4,335 in November and exploded when the Badgers hosted Illinois in the first-round of the NCAA tournament in the Field House. A packed house of 10,935 watched UW sweep the Illini and advance to the NCAA regional.
"I will always cherish the memories he and the team I played on created," said Susan Wohlford, an outside hitter from 1988-91. "Going from last to first in the Big Ten, being nationally ranked and recognized, entering our first NCAA, hosting our first NCAA, gaining tremendous community support, and having the most loyal fans in the country will always be a magical time in our lives. The fun we had on that ride is something I can't even describe. I know every one of us continually say thank you to Steve and everyone involved for giving us such a tremendous life opportunity."
Unfortunately for the Badgers, Lowe was hospitalized in late July of 1991. A non-smoker, Lowe was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away on Aug. 22 at the age of 35.
Then-UW Chancellor Donna Shalala, who attended Lowe's memorial service, said, "We all weep for what might have been. We all celebrate the years we have been graced by his enormous talent and leadership."
The Badger volleyball program still bears much of what Lowe started. Wisconsin recognizes the former head coach at every Big Ten home opener with "Steve Lowe Night." A player who exemplifies Lowe's passion and love of the game is also recognized every season with the Steve Lowe Memorial Scholarship. The winner is recognized in pre-match ceremonies at Steve Lowe Night with the award being presented by Lowe's sons Ian and Jeff.
"I remember him often and miss him greatly," said Wohlford. "He left a huge mark on this earth, the university, and the Badgers volleyball program. I know that anyone who was lucky enough to be a part of Steve's life still feels his void but also feels incredibly grateful for being able to be a part of his world, even if for a short time."
