A Wisconsin native from nearby Oregon, Lisa Stone began her career with the Badger program in April, 2003. She came to Wisconsin from Drake University where she served as head coach three years, taking the Bulldogs to the 2002 NCAA Sweet 16.
A proven winner in four different programs, Stone’s 22-year career collegiate record of 431-182 (.703) ranks among the top 25 in overall winning percentage among active Division I coaches.
Stone’s Badgers turned the corner in 2006-07 setting a program record 23 wins (23-13) and heading to UW’s first post-season appearance since 2002. The Badgers posted a 4-1 record and were the runner-up champions of the WNIT losing at Wyoming, 72-56, in the championship.
Stone faced a major refurbishing project when she took over at UW. She had the first losing season of her career in 2003–04, as she took a team that finished 7-21 in 2003, to a 10-17 record in 2004. Armed with five new recruits and an insatiable energy and desire to succeed, her second season with the Badgers showed a team that improved by leaps and bounds over the previous season. The Badgers had more wins, and better statistics across the board while finishing with a 12-16 mark including their first win at the Big Ten Basketball Tournament since 2002.
Just as important to Stone as a winning record is having student-athletes who are accomplished in the classroom. Stone’s 2006-07 Badger team had the third best fall grade point average of all 23 Badger teams with a gpa of 3.239 and finished with a cumulative gpa of 3.1 in the spring. Ten individuals have garnered 18 Academic All-Big Ten honors during her tenure.