Bouche retiring after nearly 40 years of service
Jane Bouche is retiring from Lakeland University after 36 years of service to the institution in a variety of roles.
She currently serves as senior director of recruitment and marketing for the evening and online programs and previously served as director of admissions and an admissions advisor. She has recruited and advised countless students for Lakeland and played lead roles in program development.
A native of Algoma, Wis., Bouche joined Lakeland in 1989 as a softball and basketball coach after making a name for herself as a successful high school coach and administrator in Green Bay.
in five seasons as Lakeland’s head women’s basketball coach and eight seasons as head softball coach, she helped position Lakeland’s programs among the best in the region.
The softball program won six regular-season or tournament championships in her eight seasons, and she is tied for the most wins by a coach in Lakeland softball history.
Her basketball teams were recognized nationally for their commitment to defense and the Muskies were often ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring defense.
Bouche was named Lakeland's athletic director in 1993 and led some of the most significant changes in the athletic department's history.
In 1997, Bouche helped guide the transition from Lakeland being a longtime member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to a Division III member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
In 2005, Lakeland opened a dramatic expansion of the Todd Wehr Athletic Center, including a new gymnasium and fitness center. In 2006, Lakeland became a charter member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. The Muskies won conference titles and made national tournament appearances in nearly every sport during her tenure.
She was inducted into the Lakeland Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
