Milwaukee, WI
UW-Milwaukee, Bart Lundy agree on five-year contract extension through 2029-30 season
UWM coach Bart Lundy discusses basketball tournaments other than NCAA
In this era, there are many complicating factors for a team like UWM considering post-season options after missing the NCAAs.
In this day and age when uncertainty reigns in college basketball with the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness having changed the game in so many ways, the UW-Milwaukee men’s team can now count on some long-term stability at a very important position.
Head coach.
Bart Lundy, who is the first coach since Bruce Pearl (2004-07) to lead the Panthers to three consecutive 20-win seasons, has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him at UWM through the 2029-30 season.
It’s a pact that will pay the 53-year-old Lundy $430,000 annually, up from the $350,000 he had been making on the deal he originally signed in March 2022, and includes a number of lump-sum incentives for individual and team achievements.
“‘If we can keep him, we’re going to do it,’” is how director of athletics Amanda Braun described the thinking in pre-emptively constructing and presenting Lundy with the extension, which was finalized in closed session by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents last week.
“In the last three years we’ve solidified a really strong foundation – and not just competitively. He makes great decisions. He brings in great young men. He’s got a stable staff that we’ve worked hard to keep together. For me, that right there is exactly what we need for our future.
“Yeah, we hoped we would perform better, finish the season differently this year, but that’s OK. It’s a couple swings here and there, and that stuff happens. But it’s not a flash in the pan. Twenty-three years as a head coach.
“He’s legit.”
The gesture meant a lot to Lundy, who has gone 63-38 (.642 winning percentage) overall and 40-20 (.667) in Horizon League play – tops over that span for any current coach in the conference – during his time on the East Side.
“It shows my commitment to being here for the long haul,” Lundy said. “And the way that I operate is, when people show loyalty, I try to be at least that loyal, if not multiplied. So, the fact that Milwaukee wants me to be their basketball coach, and they’re committed to me, that means the world to me and makes me not only energized but determined to prove them right and to do everything within my power to make this the best possible basketball program for the university.”
Lundy and the Panthers recently concluded a 22-11 campaign that was equal parts gratifying and frustrating as after being picked to win the Horizon League in the preseason, they finished tied for second in the regular-season standings at 14-6.
That was good enough to earn a first-round bye in the Horizon League tournament, but third-seeded UWM opted to play its quarterfinal home game against sixth-seeded Oakland on campus at the Klotsche Center and ultimately fell by a score of 72-64.
It was the second time in as many years the Golden Grizzlies ended the Panthers’ season; in 2024 UWM advanced to the Horizon League tournament title game in Indianapolis and led Oakland with under 3 minutes to play before running out of gas and losing, 83-76.
Coming that close to its first NCAA tournament berth since 2014 and not cashing in was immensely disappointing. Now, after taking that body blow this past season, Lundy left no doubt it has to be March Madness or bust for the program moving forward.
“That’s the next step, without a doubt. And we’re right there,” he said. “With the turnover and rosters, it becomes more difficult to say, ‘Hey, we’re building toward that,’ because you’re going to have some roster turnover, you’re going to lose some of your players, and most likely, your best players.
“But so is everyone else at our level. All 15 of the all-league guys are gone (in the transfer portal). We’ve had the same staff all three years, so we’re finding a way to have consistency there, knock on wood. And then if we can maintain pushing forward with our administration and stay right on the edge of all the things that are happening fast in college basketball, I feel great that we’ll be at the top of the Horizon League.”
Indeed, Lundy will once again need to rebuild after losing his top five scorers – three to the portal (Themus Fulks, Jamichael Stillwell and Erik Pratt) and two to completed eligibility (AJ McKee, Kentrell Pullian).
The losses of Fulks, UWM’s scoring and assists leader, and Stillwell, one of the nation’s leading rebounders who was named first team all-Horizon League and the conference’s newcomer of the year, to Central Florida for lucrative NIL deals leave especially large voids to fill.
While strides have been made in terms of resources for keeping players on campus with the Panther Future Fund, the reality is Lundy and UWM will continue to face an uphill battle to keep players they identify and develop when larger programs can offer far more money and exposure.
“I do see those challenges,” said Lundy, who also lost star BJ Freeman to Arizona State last offseason.
“I think they’re enormous challenges. We don’t have some of the things in place with revenue sharing that obviously a lot of universities are going to have. But at the same time, I’m doggedly optimistic that we have the right pieces in place to compete and that we will find a way to attack these challenges one way or another.
“It may not be as easy as some others have it, but I think our administration is on the right page. And we have good synergy with everything going on in the city, and I believe that we’ll be able to surmount any challenges at our level that we’ll face.”
Braun believes Lundy is uniquely qualified to continue navigating the madness.
“Being a head coach right now with everything you have to deal with is just incredibly difficult,” she said. “He has that foundation to build on with this craziness. He knows the decisions to make. He knows what to pay attention to, what not to pay attention to. What to deal with and tolerate and what not to, and and that goes a long way in a long season.
“These are young people you’re dealing with, and he just has a great feel that way. I trust his judgment.”
Under terms of his extension, Lundy can also increase his base salary if the team meets certain grade-point-average requirements and finishes first through third in conference play. There are also retention bonuses possible each year if the team meets GPA requirements and finishes in the top eight in the league.
If Lundy accepts another collegiate or professional basketball coaching position, there would be a buyout amount of $450,000 if he leaves between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026; $350,000 between May 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027; and $250,000 between May 1, 2027 and April 30, 2028.
UWM also has the right to reduce or waive a buyout at its discretion.
“The building blocks are in place,” Braun said. “We’ll just keep, one step at a time, putting the right things in place and making the best decisions we can.”
While the Milwaukee Brewers continue their battle for NL Central supremacy, 2025 first-round selection Andrew Fischer is working his way up the minor leagues. Now the No. 6 ranked prospect in the team’s farm system, the third baseman posted a .311/.402/.446 slash line in 19 games with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
Fischer’s recent performance warranted a promotion to the Double-A, where he is now competing as part of the Biloxi Shuckers. The 22-year-old is turning heads around the league, leading him to join Foul Territory TV for a recent interview about his experience in the Brewers’ farm system so far:
“The talent in here is unreal. I think that’s why the Brewers do such a good job of developing their guys, is they put you in environments where you’re literally competing every day with the best of the best,” Fischer explained. “For me, it’s going to make my batting practice sharper. It’s going to make my in-game reps sharper. It’s going to make our communication on the field sharper. It’s honestly really special what they have over here.”
Before diving into the specifics of what he discussed — this was a great first impression as someone who had never seen Fischer in an interview before! He’s well-spoken, he seems passionate, and he has a good sense of the value of the opportunities around him. As the Brewers search for answers at third base, he’ll certainly be in the back of GM Matt Arnold’s mind. If he can keep producing the way he has thus far, it won’t be a hard decision down the line.
But more importantly in the short-term, Fischer pinpointed the exact winning recipe that has been driving sustainable long-term success for the Brewers all decade.
Andrew Fischer just summed up one of the hardest lessons the Brewers organization has ever learned.
When you’re considered a small market in a league like the MLB where spending can equate to success, the only way to compete is to double down on what you’re good at. For the Milwaukee Brewers, that’s become scouting and development.
From rookies to reclamation projects, the Brewers help players find the best in themselves by simplifying the game, building good habits, and having players lead by example. As Fischer discussed, surrounding talented players with other like-minded individuals is a recipe for building sustainable growth. Those incremental steps toward success stack up until eventually, you’ve got a winning ballclub on your hands.
It starts with the front office, where GM Matt Arnold and the Brewers’ elite scouting team identify players with the traits that fit on and off the field. That trickles down to the managers and coaches, who see the potential in these players and use their expertise to draw it out of them. That, along with the camaraderie these players build along the way, is the recipe for a culture that could bring success to Milwaukee for many years to come.
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Every morning throughout Summerfest 2026, we’ll deliver a guide that covers the day’s entertainment and how you can get in the gate free of charge. This is where you’ll find info about the AmFam Amp headliners, eclectic picks from our knowledgeable staff and the music lineup for the day (see the full 2026 Summerfest lineup here).
Today at the AmFam Amp + Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1
Carín León, 7 p.m.
For the first time in the festival’s 58-year history, a Spanish-language artist is headlining the main amphitheater. As a Mexican, it’s super exciting to see rising stars bring our music and vibrant dancing to an entirely new crowd. Hearing live banda is a whole new world and something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. Think of it as a taste of what Mexican Fiesta brings to the lakefront every August (coming very soon, too!). Grab a beer your boots and your tickets to witness a very special moment.
— Leslie Garcia Ramirez
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
The Academy Is… @ Miller Oasis, 10:30 p.m.
In the midst of the emo and screamo wave of the early to mid 2000s, this Midwest band made a name for themselves. Still, you may have missed The Academy Is… like I did.
Fortunately, I got some help after becoming a diehard fan boy of the Milwaukee indie-rock outfit Whips (RIP! 😢) and discovered that band wasn’t Milwaukee-based drummer Andy Mrotek’s first rodeo. Mrotek was with The Academy Is… almost from day one, did his own thing when the group broke up and returned when they got back together a few years back.
Since reconnecting, the band have been touring and recording, and this past March they released their most recent album — their first in nearly 20 years. Whether you’re a fan of The Academy Is… or just loved the genre, reunite with your mid-2000s self and check them out at the Miller Oasis (and come early to check out fellow emo greats Braid, which you may hear about momentarily).
— Jay Burseth
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3
Braid @ Miller Oasis, 8:30 p.m.
Hailing from the Midwest Emo Holy Land of Champaign, Ill., Braid is the sonic personification of everything it means to grow up in the chilling plains of Middle America. The stinging lyrics and pouting guitars amalgamate to anthems that have had angsty teens in a chokehold since well before their landmark 1998 album, Frame and Canvas.
This posse of sad dads is set to take on the Miller Oasis, making their return to the Summerfest grounds for the first time since 2015, when they closed the set with their love note for our great city, “Milwaukee Sky Rocket.” Braid’s irrefutable impact on our city’s emo scene will be sure to draw in kickers and screamers from all over, and you won’t want to miss it.
— Matthew Poulton
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #4
Trapper Schoepp @ Uline Warehouse, 5:30 p.m.
It’s always a special treat to see Milwaukee bands playing Summerfest. I get excited to think about all the new fans our local artists reach when they hit the stage — something singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp has experienced a time or two over his wonderful career.
One of Milwaukee’s true artists, Schoepp’s career in music literally started as an accident. While recuperating from a BMX-related back injury, he heard Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” and was inspired to pick up a guitar as a “safer” hobby. He put out his first record at the age of 17 with his brother Tanner; he’s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Nicole Atkins and Wilco; and — almost two decades later — he’s still one of those musicians who seems to thrive onstage.
Schoepp’s songs are a slice of Americana with a bit of a punk-rock edge. He sings about the nostalgia of his youth on Bay Beach Amusement Park, and his journey through addiction and recovery on new album Osborne. Will he come out into the crowd and play guitar while standing on the benches with you? Check out the show this today and find out for yourself.
How to get in free today
Briggs & Stratton United Way Diaper & Wipe Drive
Help United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County provide essential diapers and wipes to families across the community. Between noon and 3 p.m., the first 1,500 patrons who donate new unopened wipes or diapers with a total minimum value of $10 per person will receive one free admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All donations benefit United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Diaper Bank network.
Summerfest schedule for Saturday, June 20
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
American Family Insurance House
- 4 p.m. — Weston Estate
- 2 p.m. — Flipturn
BMO Pavilion
- 9 p.m. — David Lee Roth
- 7:15 p.m. — Kirstie Kraus
- 5:30 p.m. — Substitute: Tales From The Who
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:30 p.m. — The Academy Is…
- 8:30 p.m. — Braid
- 6:30 p.m. — The Juliana Theory
- 4:30 p.m. — Colin Bracewell
- 2:45 p.m. — American Progress
- 1:15 p.m. — IDKCONUNDRUM
T-Mobile Stage
- 10:15 p.m. — Nate Smith
- 8:15 p.m. — McCoy Moore
- 6:15 p.m. — Scott Wolverton
- 4:15 p.m. — Rhys Rutherford
- 2:30 p.m. — Will Terry
- 12:45 p.m. — Lauren Gottshall
Generac Power Stage
- 9:30 p.m. — Flipturn
- 7:30 p.m. — Penelope Road
- 5:30 p.m. — Winyah
- 3:30 p.m. — Old Mervs
- 2 p.m. — Tobacco Road
- 12:30 p.m. — The Band Solstice
Uline Warehouse
- 9:30 p.m. — Christopher Cross
- 7:30 p.m. — Don Felder
- 5:30 p.m. — Trapper Schoepp
- 3:30 p.m. — A.J. Croce
- 2 p.m. — Kenneth Brian Band
- 12:30 p.m. — Milly & The Mayhem
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Connor Price
- 8 p.m. — Weston Estate
- 6 p.m. — Graham
- 4 p.m. — SM6
- 2:30 p.m. — Noah Richardson
- 1 p.m. — Sarah Krohn
Aurora Pavilion
- 9 p.m. — Aspen
- 7 p.m. — Dexter & The Moonrocks
- 5:45 p.m. — Red Leather
- 4:30 p.m. — Altered By Mom
- 3:15 p.m. — Cigarettes @ Sunset
- 2:15 p.m. — Candy Cigarette
- 1:45 p.m. — Woraz
- 1:15 p.m. — Take Back the Sun
- 12:45 p.m. — White Paper Walls
- 12:15 p.m. — Mala Mala
SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A South Milwaukee homeowner is pushing back after the city ordered him to take down his year-round skeleton display, calling it a violation of property maintenance codes.
Sean Oster and his wife have maintained the display — featuring skeletons named Hector and Henrietta along with other decorations— for nearly two years, dressing them up for holidays, sports events, and other occasions.
Mike Beiermeister
The display has drawn attention from neighbors and passersby, with some saying it has become part of the neighborhood’s character.
Watch: South Milwaukee homeowner fights city order to remove year-round skeleton display
South Milwaukee homeowner fights city order to remove year-round skeleton display
“It’s like an expression of the owner’s passion… and I think it’s cool they can use their lawn that way,” neighbor Jeremy Payment said.
Mike Beiermeister
Last month, Oster received a letter from the city of South Milwaukee describing the skeletons as Halloween decorations being displayed outside the appropriate time of year and ordering him to remove them by July 7.
Under the city’s property maintenance code, yards must be kept free of anything considered an “unreasonable blighting influence,” which the city says can include displays left up out of season. The notice also flagged an inoperable vehicle on the property. Each violation could result in fines of up to $500 per day if not corrected by the deadline.
Oster says he understands part of the city’s concern.
“They have a few points… I’ve got a couple collector cars… I understand those shouldn’t be out,” Oster said.
Mike Beiermeister
He plans to move the cars into the garage and clean up the yard, but says the skeletons are staying.
“I don’t think it’s hurting anybody. It’s literally a victimless crime,” Oster said.
Oster also had a message for whoever filed the complaint.
“Live with it… more people like it than hate it. And if we’re enforcing this, then we should go around and take down Christmas lights that are up year-round,” Oster said.
The city administrator did not respond to a request for comment.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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