The Phoenix-Packers steak fry raised over $330,000 for UWGB athletics. Coaches Doug Gottlieb and Kayla Karius discussed their busy offseasons at the event.
Key points
The event raised over $330,000 for UWGB athletics.
Coaches Doug Gottlieb and Kayla Karius spoke at the steak fry.
UWGB men's basketball is trying to schedule Kansas.
The steak fry was held at Lambeau Field Atrium.
The event is an annual fundraising occasion.
Mentioned in this story
University of Wisconsin-Green BayDoug GottliebKayla Karius
Kansas
The Lambeau Field Atrium was packed April 21 for the Phoenix-Packers steak fry, an annual fundraising event for University of Wisconsin-Green Bay athletics that raised more than $330,000 last year.
Phoenix men attempted to land a notable nonconference opponent
UWGB heard from Kansas after the steak fry last year when Gottlieb perhaps broke the news a bit too early that the teams would open the 2025-26 season against each other.
He didn’t have a similar bombshell to drop this time, or he at least was more careful not to share, but there is one team the Phoenix won’t have on the upcoming schedule despite Gottlieb’s best effort: A date against UConn, which lost to Michigan in the national championship game earlier this month.
UWGB men's basketball coach Doug Gottlieb attempted to get a game against UConn next season.
UWGB men's basketball coach Doug Gottlieb attempted to get a game against UConn next season.
Gottlieb reached out to UConn general manager Tom Moore this week about playing a game. The two have been friends for decades.
“He actually said, ‘We can’t play you, Coach, you guys were too good last year,’” said Gottlieb, whose team went 18-15. “I was like, ‘We lost four starters, you have a $15 million payroll, you are arguably the best program in the country. Come on, man.’”
None of that apparently was enough to sway Moore.
“I go, ‘There is 0.1 percent chance [UWGB would win],’” Gottlieb said. “He said, ‘We want 0.0 percent chance of losing.’”
UWGB men will return most of coaching staff
The Phoenix staff took a hit after assistant and Green Bay native Keil Ganz was hired as the new coach at Northern Michigan University.
Q&A
How much money was raised at the Phoenix-Packers steak fry for UWGB athletics?
The event raised more than $330,000 for University of Wisconsin-Green Bay athletics.
Who are the basketball coaches that spoke at the Phoenix-Packers steak fry?
The basketball coaches who spoke were Doug Gottlieb for the men's team and Kayla Karius for the women's team.
What notable nonconference opponent is UWGB men's basketball trying to schedule?
UWGB men's basketball is attempting to schedule a game against Kansas for the 2025-26 season.
When did the Phoenix-Packers steak fry take place?
The Phoenix-Packers steak fry took place on April 21.
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Ganz arrived at UWGB before last season after serving as an assistant at NMU in 2023-24 and as the associate head coach in 2024-25.
He is one of two people to depart UWGB this offseason after Kaden LeCapitaine, the director of basketball operations, joined Siena in the same role.
The Phoenix recently hired Colin Schneider to join the coaching staff. The New Holstein native was at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville the past five seasons and was promoted to associate head coach in August 2023.
This will be his second stint for UWGB after he spent several seasons as the director of basketball operations during the Brian Wardle era before leaving in 2014 to serve as the assistant video coordinator for the Memphis Grizzles.
“Colin is a GB alum, his wife is from Green Bay,” Gottlieb said. “I think it is unbelievably important to have Green Bay people, Wisconsin people, be part of this. My goal is with other parts of that staff to continue that.”
UWGB will retain the rest of its coaching staff, including veteran assistant Kerry Rupp.
Another veteran assistant, Andy Ground, remains on staff. At least for now.
“Andy is staying until he feels like we got everything in place,” Gottlieb said. “He will definitely be here for the summer, and we will just see. My thing with Andy is, he has a wife in Vegas. He has dogs. He really wants to get back to his dogs in Las Vegas. It’s dogs, then basketball, then stocks and bonds. He’s unbelievable in the stock market.
“My thing is, he is going to get there and miss it and want to come back. He’s going to help me until [we hire] another assistant coach and a director of OPS. I don’t know when that occurs because there is some other timing stuff. Right now, our staff is good enough that we have got everything handled. We can prepare for camp. We will add pieces as we go.”
UWGB men land another commit
The Phoenix has signed North Idaho College sophomore guard-forward Ne’quan Brown.
The 6-foot-8 Brown averaged 15 points in 28.5 minutes per game this season, one year after averaging 9.7 points and 21.6 minutes.
“Can play kind of the 1 through 4,” Gottlieb said. “He is going to help us rebound.”
Brown joins several other players who have signed this offseason, including IU Indy’s Jaxon Edwards, Calvin University center Jalen Overway, Odessa College point guard Ahmere Carson, Angelina College guard Clarence Payia and Fort Lewis College guard Stewart Erhart II.
Kamy Peppler of the UWGB Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on March 20 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Peppler and the Phoenix lost to the Golden Gophers, 75-58.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Zoey Bershers #30, Makena Christian #35, and Brylee Glenn #12 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate the win against the UWGB Phoenix after the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Jenna Guyer #30 of the UWGB celebrates her three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
UWGB guard Maddy Skorupski (3) goes to the basket against Minnesota's Sophie Hart (52) in the second quarter during an NCAA first-round game March 20 at Williams Arena.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Tori McKinney #14 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers goes to the basket against Kristina Ouimette #44 of the UWGB Phoenix in the third quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
UWGB senior forward-center Jenna Guyer reacts during a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Minnesota on March 20 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Kristina Ouimette #44 of the UWGB Phoenix shoots the ball against Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shoots the ball against Maddy Skorupski #3 of the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Jenna Guyer #30 of the UWGB Phoenix celebrates her three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates against the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
Kamy Peppler #1 of the UWGB Phoenix and Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers compete for the ball in the first quarter during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Kristina Ouimette #44 of the UWGB Phoenix goes to the basket against Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Tori McKinney #14 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers goes to the basket against Meghan Schultz #55 of the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Members of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate against the UWGB Phoenix in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers rebounds the ball against Carley Duffney #20 of the UWGB Phoenix in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates her three-point basket against the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit of the Minnesota Golden Gophers looks on against the UWGB Phoenix in the first quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers rebounds the ball against the UWGB Phoenix in the first quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
Kamy Peppler of the UWGB Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on March 20 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Peppler and the Phoenix lost to the Golden Gophers, 75-58.
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
Kamy Peppler of the UWGB Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on March 20 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Peppler and the Phoenix lost to the Golden Gophers, 75-58.
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Zoey Bershers #30, Makena Christian #35, and Brylee Glenn #12 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate the win against the UWGB Phoenix after the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
3 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Jenna Guyer #30 of the UWGB celebrates her three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
4 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
UWGB guard Maddy Skorupski (3) goes to the basket against Minnesota's Sophie Hart (52) in the second quarter during an NCAA first-round game March 20 at Williams Arena.
5 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Tori McKinney #14 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers goes to the basket against Kristina Ouimette #44 of the UWGB Phoenix in the third quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
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UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
UWGB senior forward-center Jenna Guyer reacts during a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Minnesota on March 20 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
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UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Kristina Ouimette #44 of the UWGB Phoenix shoots the ball against Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
8 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shoots the ball against Maddy Skorupski #3 of the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
9 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Jenna Guyer #30 of the UWGB Phoenix celebrates her three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
10 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates against the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
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UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
Kamy Peppler #1 of the UWGB Phoenix and Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers compete for the ball in the first quarter during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
12 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Kristina Ouimette #44 of the UWGB Phoenix goes to the basket against Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
13 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Tori McKinney #14 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers goes to the basket against Meghan Schultz #55 of the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
14 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Members of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate against the UWGB Phoenix in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
15 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers rebounds the ball against Carley Duffney #20 of the UWGB Phoenix in the second quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
16 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Mara Braun #10 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates her three-point basket against the UWGB Phoenix in the fourth quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
17 / 18
UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit of the Minnesota Golden Gophers looks on against the UWGB Phoenix in the first quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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UWGB vs Minnesota basketball highlights in March Madness first round
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 20: Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers rebounds the ball against the UWGB Phoenix in the first quarter during the First Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
UWGB women stay intact again
Coming off another NCAA Tournament appearance, the Phoenix women did not have a single player enter the transfer portal for the third straight year.
In the crazy world of college basketball and all the movement each offseason, UWGB is a throwback.
“It’s an incredible stat,” Karius said. “I think it’s one that not enough people are talking about. It’s really a testament to not just our team, but to the culture of our team, to our community, to our whole athletic department.
“There are so many good things about our program. Often times, there are players in the transfer portal for a variety of reasons. Some of them are really good ones and really legit ones. Some are just people who are unhappy and looking for different situations. We are in a similar situation where we can’t play everybody, but at the same time, people feel valued here. People feel really connected, they feel taken care of. That’s not just us doing that, that’s our entire community.”
UWGB women will hire another assistant
The women did suffer one departure after assistant Kate Peterson Abiad was hired as the head coach at Purdue Fort Wayne, but the rest of the staff is expected to return for next season. It includes Sarah Bronk, Patrick Bowlin, Shay Frederick and Jasmine Kondrakiewicz.
“We will add [an assistant],” Karius said. “I chose the timeline to prioritize the roster, because it all sort of happened at the same time. But I think in the next week there should be an announcement there.”
Peterson Abiad called Karius a “rock star” after being hired at PFW. There certainly were no hard feelings after she joined a Horizon League rival.
“We have a great relationship, and it ended on a really good note,” Karius said. “She was somebody, even as a young coach, I remember looking up to. Seeing her out on the road and having her kids with her and watching her balance all of that. Certainly, I think anytime you work with people along the way in this business, sometimes it’s short term and sometimes it’s long term.
“But you always take a little bit of each other with you wherever you go. I appreciate the time she spent with us here and that she poured into our program.”
