University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Athletics

Professor, head coach, director of men's athletics and assistant chancellor. These are some of the titles James Flood held during his 30 years as a mainstay on the UW-Oshkosh campus. His influence helped mold UW-Oshkosh athletics into the winning tradition that we still see today.

Flood's association with UW-Oshkosh began in 1965 as a professor of health and physical education. That same year he assumed the responsibilities as head coach of both the men's cross country and track & field teams.

As head coach of the men's cross country team for five years, Flood guided the Titans to the WSUC title in 1967 and 1968. He was named NAIA District 14 Coach of the Year both seasons.

As head coach of the men's track & field team for 17 years, Flood guided the Titans to four WSUC outdoor championships (1966-1968, 1971) and two WSUC indoor championships (1971, 1973). Flood was named NAIA Area Four Coach of the Year in 1973. Flood received NAIA District 14 Track & Field honors five times in his career.

In 1974, Flood became the director of men's athletics. UW-Oshkosh teams combined to win 11 national championships during Flood's 13-year tenure as athletic director.

Flood accepted a new challenge in 1987 when he became UW-Oshkosh's assistant chancellor of university relations. For eight years Flood had administrative responsibility for the alumni affairs, university publications, news bureau, electronic media relations and government relations.

Before teaching at UW-Oshkosh, Flood taught at both Roosevelt Junior High School in Oshkosh from 1957-60 and Oshkosh Senior High School from 1960-65. Flood received his undergraduate degree in 1957 and graduate degree in 1960 from the UW-La Crosse, where he played intercollegiate basketball for the Eagles after serving in the U.S. Army from 1954-56.  He would later earn his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado in 1970.

Flood's involvement also extended into the community. He played an active role in the city of Oshkosh with his involvement in Post 70 in the American Legion, the Oshkosh Citizens Advisory Committee, Oshkosh Human Relations Council, EAA Foundation Friendship Committee, the Oshkosh Area United Way, the Wisconsin Special Olympics, and the UW-Oshkosh Titan Booster and National "O" clubs.

Following his retirement from UW-Oshkosh in 1995, Flood and his wife, Gretchen traveled extensively in the United States and overseas. They especially enjoyed visiting their four children and their families. Flood also maintained his life-long interest in all sports. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Titans, the Wisconsin Badgers, the Green Bay Packers and the Olympic Games. In 2012, Flood was the Honorary Captain for UW-Oshkosh’s home football game against UW-La Crosse.

Flood passed away on April 16, 2016 in Florida at the age of 83.