Lakeland College

Men's Basketball Coaches

Aaron Aanonsen
Head Coach

E-mail: aanonsenaa@lakeland.edu
Phone: (920) 565-1445

Aaron Aanonsen enters his fifth year as head men’s basketball coach and seventh year overall at Lakeland College.

In 2011-2012, coach Aanonsen led the Muskies to a 21-7 overall record, including a 12-4 record in the Northern Athletics Conference. The team’s 21-win season tied a school record since becoming an NCAA institution in 1997. Aanonsen led Lakeland to its third-straight NAC Tournament where it fell just short of a NCAA Tournament berth by losing in the championship game. Three players earned All-Conference recognition, two of which were named first team All-Conference and will be returning for the Muskies.

Lakeland proved its dominance in the NAC as they finished first in almost every statistic including: points per game, scoring margin, three-point field goals made per game, three-point field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game, assist-to- turnover ratio and blocks per game.

Aanonsen’s electric up-tempo style proved to be player and fan friendly and has not only prevailed in the NAC, but at the national level as well. Lakeland was ranked 10th or higher in the following statistical categories (out of 405 institutions): scoring offense (seventh), three-point field goals per game (sixth), scoring margin (eighth) and assist-to-turnover ratio (eighth). 

Development of talent and character has been instrumental for Lakeland in Aanonsen’s tenure as he has produced nine All-Conference players, including two 1,000-point scorers.

Prior to arriving at Lakeland in 2006, Aanonsen was the second assistant at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where he worked under head coach Stu Engen, while earning his masters degree in educational leadership-activities management.

Before Aanonsen began his coaching career, he played basketball at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and was elected team captain as a senior in 2004-05. He graduated with highest honors with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science-sport management.  

When Aanonsen is off the court, he is fulfilling his role as the Assistant Athletic Director.

He and his wife, Brye, reside in Howards Grove and are the parents of a daughter, Ambryn and son, Avrie. Brye also works at Lakeland and is the Associate Director of Admission.

Marcus Conigliaro
Assistant Coach

E-mail: conigliaroMR@lakeland.edu
Phone: (920) 565-1444

Marcus Conigliaro enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Lakeland men's basketball team.

Prior to Lakeland, Marcus spent a few years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, coaching for Peace Players International, a non-profit charity organization that uses the game of basketball to unite and educate children and their communities. In addition, Conigliaro played for the Lisburn Star in Ireland's Division One league and led his team to the North Conference championship.

A Milwaukee native, Conigliaro played two seasons at UW-Milwaukee and completed his four-year career with two seasons at UW-La Crosse in 2006. In his final year, Conigliaro earned WIAC Player of the Week honors once and was chosen as a WIAC First Team All-Conference selection. He started all 28 games at point guard that season and averaged 12.4 points per game while leading the Eagles to their best season since 1982 and the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

He is one of the best 3-point shooters in UW-La Crosse history. During his two seasons he made 107 of 232 3-pointers, and that 46.1 percent clip is the second-best percentage in school history. Marcus finished his senior year fifth in NCAA Division III 3-Point field goal percentage at 48.4 percent and graduated with the third most 3-pointers made in a season, netting 74.

In high school, he helped lead Milwaukee Vincent to a WIAA Division I State Championship.

Conigliaro graduated with a bachelor's degree in sport management from UW-La Crosse in 2007 and is now working toward his master of business administration.

Sam Schroeder
Assistant Coach

E-mail:Schroedersa2@lakeland.edu
Phone: 920-565-1309

Sam Schroeder enters his second season as a graduate assistant for the Lakeland College men’s basketball team.

A native of Red River, Wis., Schroeder attended Shawano Community High School (Shawano, Wis.).  He played guard for the Hawks where he was named team MVP in 2006 and defensive MVP in 2007. Schroeder was also named team captain in 2006 and 2007.

Schroeder received a Bachelor’s degree in sociology at Lakeland College with minors in ethnic and gender studies and history in 2011. He played four years with the Muskies and was a member of the 2007-2008 Northern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship team.

Schroeder was an All- NAC Scholar Athlete in the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 seasons.  In the 2010-2011 season, he was named to the NAC All-Sportsmanship team and earned the Passion and Dedication Award for Lakeland. 

Schroeder is currently working towards his Master of Arts in Counseling.