When Jesse Witcraft decided to play football at UW-Stout in 1996 in the midst of a successful track and field career with the Blue Devils, he was able to help Stout stretch the field during one of the football program’s most offensive showing.

Witcraft, a native of Mauston, Wis., played three years of football for the Blue Devils, earning WIAC honorable mention honors during his senior season in 1998. Along the way, as a wide receiver, he averaged 21.5 yards per reception, scoring a total of 19 touchdowns.

During the 1997 season, quarterback Matt Bunyan, while standing in his own end zone against Moorhead State at the Metrodome, hooked up with Witcraft on a short pass and the speedster carried the ball 98 yards for a touchdown, tying the school record for longest reception. Upon induction, Witcraft currently ranks fifth on UW-Stout’s all-time reception list with 1697 yards on 79 receptions.

But it was on the track where Witcraft first found collegiate fame. As a part of a sprint crew that would feature six-time national champion Terry Anders, along with the strong supporting cast of Mike Hallingstad, Chris Valois, Troy Wyatt, and John Boldt among others, Witcraft earned six All-America awards, including a second place finish in the 4x400-relay at the 1997 indoor championships.

Witcraft was part of eight conference championship relay teams, including winning the indoor and outdoor 4x400-relay during the 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons. He was also part of two runner-up relay teams. Starting with the 1994 outdoor season, Witcraft qualified to the national championships in both the indoor and outdoor seasons thereafter. Individually, he qualified nationally in the 100- and 200-meter outdoors and the 55- and 200-meter indoors.

Witcraft currently lives in Pulaski, Wis., with his wife, Faye. Witcraft is the chief sonographer at Community Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.