History of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse

1966

On June 20th, the Boys Club opened its doors at the old Auto-Lite building serving 125 boys in the first year.

Pat Sapio was the Executive Director while Emil Niemeyer led the Board of Directors as their first president.

1969

Tackle football was introduced to the Club's athletic program which quickly grew to one of the Club's most successful programs.

1970

The 12U Boys Club Baseball team won the Stars of Tomorrow Tournament followed by the 14U winning in 1974 displaying the level of quality and skill within athletics.

1971

The Boys club quickly outgrew the Auto-Lite building which led to the purchase of St. John's Church for $25,000.

The Club was serving 525 boys at that time.

1973

Terry Erickson was hired as the Boys Club's Executive Director and has dedicated over 30 years of service to youth in our area.

1978

Girls were first allowed as members of the Boys Club.

Within a year over 100 girls were served annually.

1980

The Club held its first McDonald's Classic Basketball Tournament.

Today this tournament has grown into over 120 teams of boys in 4th-9th grade. We also added a McDonald's Classic weekend dedicated to girls in 4th-8th grade.

1981

Charlie Simpson started the first "Bring a Buddy" Christmas party which still takes place today thanks to an endowment account created in his honor.

1984

With enrollment reaching nearly 2,000 members the Club decided to enter into a yearlong capital campaign to raise $900,000.

On June 30, 1984 the new Clinton Street Club opened its doors.

1986

The Club held its first Wall of Fame banquet at Moxie's Restaurant inducting Ardy Aarstad, Don Kish Jr., George Nixon, and Harold "Deak" Swanson.

1987

The first annual benefit Golf Classic took place.  30+ years later this event is still in full swing.

1989

Gymnastics quickly became one of the fastest growing programs serving 250 boys and girls; 3 levels of classes with 2 competitive teams.

1990

The Boys Clubs of America officially changed its name to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

1996

The club received nearly $8,000 from the second annual Tri-Quest held in September. 

Tri-Quest has raised nearly $40,000 each year for local nonprofits and has totaled over $1 million in donations! 

1997

The board made a commitment to expand the Club's outreach through satellite clubs.  The Club opened its first satellite club in Hamilton Elementary to help meet the needs of youth living on the south side.

1999

The Club entered into a partnership with the La Crosse Housing Authority opening a satellite club in the Huber Homes neighborhood and in 2002 opened a Club in the Schuh-Mullen Homes neighborhood.

2001

After opening a site in La Crescent in 2000, the Club realized it was time to change its name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse to reflect its new identity.

2005

The Club entered into an agreement with Viterbo University to build the Amie L. Mathy Club on Viterbo's campus to better serve youth on the south side. This successful collaboration has become a model nationally. 

2006

The community of West Salem expressed a desire to open a Club and to date it is one of our three largest clubs.

2007

Upon Terry's retirement, the Clinton Street Club's name was changed to the Terry Erickson Club to honor his years of dedication to the organization.

2009

Mike Desmond was hired as the Club's new Executive Director.

2014

The Club continues to expand on its partnership with the School District of La Crosse opening a site in the new Northside Elementary School.

2016

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse celebrated their 50th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Terry Erickson Club. The Club serves over 600 youth daily and 3,200 members annually.

In a partnership with Mayo Health System our first Youth and Family Services Director, Laquita Becker, was hired into the BGCGL team to help with higher behavioral needs and mental health for kids on the south side of La Crosse. 

2017

Mike Desmond retires from being Executive Director.  Mike, we are grateful for your years of service and helping  make the Club what it is today!

Jake Erickson is named new Executive Director.  Jake grew up at the Club as a local La Crosse kid and participated in club and school athletics.   His former positions held were as Club Site Director and Director of Operations before becoming Executive Director.

2018

Our West Salem Club was moved from a small church site to be in the West Salem Middle School and was renamed the Don & Cheryl Brenengen Club in honor of Don & Cheryl's commitment to the youth in West Salem!  Over 200 K-12th graders attend the Don & Cheryl Brenengen Club daily.

Our second Youth & Family Services Director was also hired to work with kids on the north side of La Crosse, along with a Graduation Specialist to assist with the Be Great-Graduate Program.  This specialist works with a caseload of students throughout their high school career and to ensure success after graduation!

2020

September 1, 2020 was the first day of our brand new club being opened just over a year after Festival Foods founders, Dave & Barb Skogen, approached BGCGL about donating the building that was previously the Holmen Festival Foods store, to be renovated & expanded into a Boys & Girls Club!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Clubs were able to still be here for kids.  While there were times we could not have our doors open, we would then deliver meals directly to families' homes, provide virtual programming, fulfill basic needs, mental health check- ins and initiatives to celebrate kids during a time the world was shut down. 

2021

Continuing to expand our reach and give local kids opportunities and resources to reach their full potential and great futures!

2023

Groundbreaking for our 9th Club in partnership with the Onalaska School District, the Onalaska John & Linda Lyche Boys & Girls Club.  We are excited to be a part of this community and bring Great Futures to Onalaska!