Taylor Schad, a former star of the Kiel girls soccer team in Wisconsin, is making a much‑anticipated return to the pitch with the Wisconsin Badgers after enduring a series of severe injuries.
A Comeback Defined by Resilience
After four torn ACLs and a meniscus injury, Schad has refused to let setbacks dictate her future, channeling her experience into both athletic recovery and academic research.
Her high school career culminated in the program’s first championship in 2023, and she carried that momentum to Marquette before transferring to Wisconsin for a healthier freshman season.
During a spring intrasquad scrimmage she re‑tore her right ACL for the third time, compounding the damage with a meniscus tear that required additional surgery and left her teetering on the edge of medical retirement.
Off the field, Schad is pursuing a master’s degree in tendon loading, intent on advancing scientific understanding of ACL and tendon healing as she prepares for a potential return to play.
Her perseverance has earned her a spot among 20 athletes nominated for the Mueller Revive Award, which honors those who have overcome significant adversity in sport.