Lakeland University Athletics

Aaron Aanonsen enters his ninth year as head men’s basketball coach at Lakeland in 2016-17.

The Muskies completed their sixth consecutive winning season in 2015-16, finishing with a 13-12 mark, making Lakeland one of five NCAA Division III teams in the state of Wisconsin to currently hold that accomplishment. Within that time, the Muskies have accumulated an overall record of 106-54 and a 69-39 record in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

In January 2016, Aanonsen became the second-winningest coach in Lakeland history by notching his 127th win. Aanonsen has a career 129-83 record in his first eight years leading the Muskies. Lakeland improved its win total in each of its first five seasons under Aanonsen, and he is the only coach to lead a team to back-to-back 20-win seasons since the Muskies joined NCAA Division III.

Aanonsen has employed an electric up-tempo style that has proven to be player- and fan-friendly and has prevailed in the NACC and at the national level. Lakeland ranked among the top 15 nationally in NCAA Division III in scoring three straight seasons from 2011-12 through 2013-14.

Development of talent and character has also been instrumental for Lakeland in Aanonsen’s tenure as he has produced 19 All-Conference players, two All-Americans, two All-Region selections, seven All-Freshman selections, and four 1,000-point scorers, including the school’s all-time leading scorer in Jake Schwarz. Players under Aanonsen’s tutelage hold 10 NACC career records in the following statistical categories: points scored, field goals made, field goal attempts, 3-point field goal percentage, free throws made, rebounds, defensive rebounds, blocked shots, assists and assist/turnover ratio.

During the 2013-14 season, Aanonsen notched his 100th career victory in leading his team to a 19-8 record. Three players earned all-conference recognition, including two First Team All-NACC selections. Senior Justin Ward also was named to the d3hoops.com all-Midwest Region team and was named a Third Team All-American selection by Basketball Times magazine. Lakeland led the NACC in points, steals and blocks per Game.

In 2012-2013, Aanonsen led the Muskies to a 22-6 overall record, including a 13-3 record in the NACC. The Muskies won their first-ever NACC title and advanced to the championship game of the NACC Tournament for the second straight year. The team’s 22-win season broke the school record since becoming an NCAA institution, and its 15-2 start was the best 17-game start in Lakeland’s 83-year history for men’s basketball. Four Muskie players earned all-conference recognition, including NACC Player of the Year Jake Schwarz, who also appeared in the 2013 Division III All-Star Game.

Aanonsen is in his 11th year overall at Lakeland, having served as an assistant coach for two years upon his arrival in 2006. Prior to arriving at Lakeland, he was the second assistant at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where he worked under head coach Stu Engen, while earning his master’s degree in educational leadership-activities management.

Aanonsen played basketball collegiately 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.

Aanonsen also serves as senior associate athletic director at Lakeland. He and his wife, Brye, reside in Howards Grove and have three children: daughter Ambryn, son Avrie, and daughter Eden. Brye also works at Lakeland as director of the school's evening, weekend and online program.