MADISON — The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) recently announced its 2024 All-Conference football team that was selected by the league coaches. 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Brandt Stare was tabbed the Kwik Trip Offensive Player of the Year, while UW-Whitewater’s Matt Burba claimed Kwik Trip Defensive Player of the Year honors. UW-Stout’s Luke Cool and UW-Whitewater’s Tyler Vasey were named Kwik Trip Special Teams Co-Players of the Year, and UW-Eau Claire’s Brady Puls received Kwik Trip Newcomer of the Year distinction. UW-Platteville’s Ryan Munz secured Kwik Trip George Chryst Coach of the Year recognition. 

Stare was the second player in program history to receive the award on offense, joining Dan Arnold (2016). Stare claimed first-team honors for the second straight year and led the WIAC with 13 receiving touchdowns, while being ranked second with 86 points, and fourth with 53 receptions and 748 receiving yards. He has eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark in three games, including a career-high 189 yards against UW-La Crosse on Oct. 5. 

Burba was the fourth Warhawk to secure the conference’s top defensive award, joining Brandon Tamsett (2016), Harry Henschler (2018) and Mackenzie Balanganayi (2021 and 2022). He claimed first-team honors for the second consecutive season and was second in the WIAC with 4.5 sacks and tied for third with 10.5 tackles for loss. Burba recorded 28 tackles and was one of six players in the conference to have forced two fumbles.

Cool was the third individual in program archives to receive the special teams honor, joining Drew Pearson (2016) and Arthur Cox (2022). Cool had an NCAA Division III-leading 20 field goals and was just the third player in WIAC history to make 20 field goals in a season. He converted 38-of-39 extra-point attempts to add to his conference-leading 98 points. 

Vasey was the first Warhawk to secure the special teams award. He led the WIAC with 448 kick return yards and returned three kickoffs for a touchdown (on just 11 attempts) this season. Vasey added 74 punt return yards on 12 attempts. He received conference Newcomer of the Year distinction last year. 

Puls was the first Blugold to secure the Newcomer of the Year honor. He led the team with 3.5 tackles for loss and tied for sixth with 34 tackles. A newcomer is defined as a student-athlete who used his first season of participation in football this season. Transfers are not eligible unless they didn’t participate in football at their previous institution.

Repeat selections on the first-team from a season ago included: UW-La Crosse’s Jack Studer; UW-Oshkosh’s Clayton Schwalbe and Trae Tetzlaff; UW-Stout’s Patrick Corcoran-Evans; and UW-Whitewater’s John Pekar. Tetzlaff also claimed first-team recognition in 2022. 

Munz directed the Pioneers to a 9-1 record and the WIAC title — the third outright championship in program history and first since 1970. UW-Platteville also earned a NCAA bid — its third trip to the championships in program history and first since 2016.

2024 All-WIAC Football Team 

Second-Team Offense

• Dain Walter, La Crosse, Junior, Offensive Line, New Glarus, Wis. (New Glarus)

Second Team - Defense

• Rece Shelton, Platteville, Senior, Defensive Line, South Wayne, Wis. (Black Hawk)