Nov. 19, 2008

MILWAUKEE - Former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer player Don Gramenz was named the head coach of the Minnesota Thunder Tuesday. He becomes just the third head coach in the 20-year history of the Thunder, a team in the United Soccer Leagues First Division.

Gramenz was a four-year letter winner at Milwaukee from 1990-93, helping the team go 49-22-7 in his four seasons while claiming two league titles and appearing in the 1990 NCAA Tournament.

Gramenz appeared in 70 games during his career and scored 57 points on 19 goals and 19 assists. He started 61 of the 70 games he appeared in and his 19 assists are still good for 10th on UWM's all-time list.

In addition to his impressive numbers, Gramenz was also named the team's Most Improved Player following the 1991 season in addition to being honored with the Coach's Award in 1993. He was a team captain his senior year and earned First Team All-Mid-Continent and First Team All-Midwest honors that season.

Gramenz had been named interim coach of the Thunder in July and guided the team to the playoffs. He played for the Thunder from 1991 to 2003 and was inducted into the Thunder Hall of Fame in 2004 after his career was over.

He appeared in 212 games in nine professional seasons, recording 17 goals and 25 assists in becoming the team's all-time leader for defensemen in those categories. Gramenz led the squad to championship appearances six times, taking home the title in 1999.