Wilbur "Soup" Winblad Athletic Scholarship

The Wilbur “Soup” Winblad Athletic Scholarship is created to encourage and support student athletes at WSU.

Criteria

1. Each recipient must be a student athlete.
2. Each recipient must be enrolled full-time at WSU.
3. Each recipient must have a 3.0. g.p.a.
4. Each recipient must be classified as a sophomore, junior or senior and be in good standing at WSU.

Biography/Motivation

Born Sept. 9, 1923, in Red Wing to Swedish immigrant parents, Winblad grew up in a family of six children. He and his wife, Patty, had six children “ Susan, Ann, Mary, Patty, Kathy and Dave, five grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Soup Winblad’s life accomplishments could fill volumes. He was a Marine combat veteran in World War II, a star athlete both at Red Wing High School and Winona State Teacher’s College, a teacher-counselor-coach at Rushford and Farmington (18 years) high schools, and a legendary figure at what is now Dakota County Technical College. He was the 1970 Farmington Teacher of the Year and in 1992 was inducted into the inaugural class of the Farmington High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Winblad became a member of the Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.
Winblad’s athletic accomplishments are legendary. He was a three-sport athlete at Red Wing High School, lettering in basketball, baseball and football. He was honored for his performance on the basketball court and the football field. He was named Minnesota All-State as a guard with the state championship runner-up basketball team and also earned All-Southern Minnesota halfback honors.
Winblad studied at Bemidji State College before joining the Marines to fight in World War II in the South Pacific. When the war ended, he resumed his education at Winona State Teacher’s College where he was captain of the basketball team and quarterback of the football team. In 1946 he was recognized as Winona’s Most Valuable Football Player and in 1958 Governor Orville Freeman named Winblad the Minnesota Sports Champ. Winblad finished college in three years, with nine athletic letters and a handsome letter jacket that he faithfully wore to Winona State homecomings.
After college Winblad taught and coached basketball at Rushford High School until 1954 after which he began his career with Farmington High School, where he taught history, and served as a guidance counselor, basketball coach, and athletic director. In 1970 Winblad was named Farmington High School Teacher of the Year and in 2008 was honored as Teacher of Excellence at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount.
You only had to spend a few moments with Soup to realize that while the awards and accolades were appreciated, they were just a small part of the rich tapestry of his life. You may have known him as a teammate, teacher, coach, or friend “ but no matter what role he played in your life, he will be most remembered for a warm and giving soul and his infectious smile.
To honor Soup’s legacy, the Winblad family established the Wilbur Soup Winblad Athletic Scholarship in March 2010.

If you were lucky enough to know Soup Winblad, you knew that he lived life to the fullest; He served as teacher, coach, mentor, and lifelong friend. Everyone who knew Soup has a great story to share. If you talk with Soup’s family you will learn he had three loves in his life:
1. His family
2. Winona State University
3. The Marines
Soup was truly one of a kind. Those who came to know him through his connection to WSU can certainly vouch for the first two of those three loves. It was obvious that Soup’s family was most important; but Soup truly bled purple. When he came back to campus, people were excited to see him. Soup wasn’t a big man – in stature, but he was a giant when it came to his heart. One thing is for certain, Soup Winblad is part of the fiber that is Winona State University. It is only fitting that his legacy should continue through student scholarships. It is the hope of Soup’s family that student recipients will learn about the wonderful man, carrying forward his passion for giving back and making a difference.