William Reddan

William G. Reddan, age 90, passed away on Monday Dec 18, 2017 at Oakwood Village University Woods under the care of Agrace HospiceCare. William was born on Aug 29, 1927 in St. Louis, MO to the late John and Sophia (Gastori) Reddan. He married Elizabeth Mae Howard on Aug 23, 1952 in St. Louis, MO. William was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church. He loved to spend time with his family, playing sports like soccer, skiing and hockey, and gardening.
The St. Louis native gained his love for soccer from his father who played on a national championship soccer team in 1921. As a youth he participated in soccer, baseball, basketball and track in high school, then joined the Merchant Marines for two years after graduating from high school in 1945.
He returned to the University of Missouri where he earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1951. He served two years in the Army during the Korean Conflict, then came to Wisconsin in 1953, and obtained his master's degree in education in 1955. He later earned his Ph.D. in biodynamics at UW in 1965, and was a professor in preventive medicine at Wisconsin until his retirement in 1996.
Although a fixture in the soccer scene for decades, perhaps Reddan's greatest contribution has been as a change agent in the development of numerous youth and club soccer programs in the Madison area. He was a founding member of the well-known Madison 56ers soccer team and helped form and coach the Madison Area Soccer Association which now has over 1,000 youth members.
Considered the 'Founding Father of Soccer in Madison and at the University of Wisconsin', William 'Bill' Reddan has been an integral part of the sports landscape in Madison for nearly 60 years. He introduced soccer as a club sport at Wisconsin in 1964, and coached the intramural team for 13 years.
He became the first varsity men's soccer coach in 1977, and led UW to its first NCAA tournament berth following a 15-1-2 regular season in 1981. He coached five seasons compiling a 49-27-9 record. He then served as an assistant coach from 1982-96, where he saw his dreams come to fruition when Wisconsin won the 1995 NCAA Championship title.
William is survived by his 3 children John (Susan) Reddan, Mary (David) Reddan Mills, Howard (Lori) Reddan; 3 grandchildren Brittney, Jack and Sophia; 2 step grandchildren Sam and Asher; 5 siblings Donald Reddan, Anna Svoboda, Jean Howell, Patricia VanRhein, Judith (Terrence) Keran; special friend Michelle Polidora. William is further survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elizabeth, sister Mary Reddan, brother John Reddan, sister Rita (Raymond) Polak, sister-in law Marilyn Reddan, 3 brother-in-laws Raymond Svoboda, Leslie Howell and Lawrence VanRhein.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday Dec 21, 2017 at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2121 Rowley Ave. Madison, with Fr. Samuel Hakeem O.P. presiding. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass on Thursday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434