Faculty, staff, students and family gathered on April 11 to honor Dr. Scott Ringgenberg, former professor and chair of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Health and Human Performance Department, with the formal naming and dedication of the Dr. Scott Ringgenberg Ropes Course. Ringgenberg began his career at UW-Platteville in 2000. He passed away in 2022, following a long battle with cancer.
“Scott was always known for being the adventure education guy,” said Tim Swenson, assistant professor of health and human performance. “When he came to UW-Platteville, adventure education was a new area of physical education, becoming more popular, and he was the driving force behind getting the high ropes course put in Williams Fieldhouse.”
Since its installment more than two decades ago, the ropes course has been used for many team building activities, for both internal and external groups. It offers guided activities that foster group communication, teamwork, trust and problem-solving.
“That was always Scott’s vision — to use the course in our classes, but also as a real team building tool for others,” said Tim Swenson. “Since it has been such a big part of our department and provided our students with so many teaching opportunities, we wanted to do something to honor him."
Following the ropes course dedication, students engaged in a game of Battleship, which some students in the Health and Human Performance department remember as one of Ringgenberg’s favorite activities in his Outdoor Activities course. The competition pits teams of students in canoes against each other, as each team tries to sink their opponents’ boats using buckets to throw water. The Health and Human Performance Club organized the competition as a fundraiser to support the Dr. Scott Ringgenberg Memorial Fund.
“The HHP Club student leaders have continued to celebrate Dr. Scott's love for recreation, adventure and sport through a lively evening of Battleship in the pool,” said Susanna Swenson, senior lecturer of health and human performance and advisor to the HHP Club. “These student leaders and the many participants have been able to carry on our special memory of Dr. Scott.”
Ringgenberg’s impact on students can still be felt by the number of former students who are following his career path, says Tim Swenson.
"We’ve had a few people go on to be PE teachers and get master’s in adventure education, and they have stated directly that it is because of experience in Scott’s class,” he said. “The activities are fun, but they also convey much more than fun – it’s leadership and communication but doing so in a fun environment. To have our students leave here and continue in this area is a true testament to Scott."