Meet the Man With the Whoo Behind MAC Athletics

At The MAC, everyone knows athletic director Klae Scott for his infectious “Whoo!” A couple of claps, a bounce, and a loud “Whoo!” that echoes across the room—Klae has been doing this pump-up move ever since he was a kid playing football. “It set the tone for the game,” he says. “It charged my teammates, and that’s what it does here at The MAC.”

Klae has been an athlete his entire life—he played football at multiple levels, including for his college team and for an arena football team. After his career was sidelined by an injury, he started working as a personal trainer. He became the fitness director at The MAC in 2021 and was named its athletic director in 2022. “All my experiences leading here are based on teamwork,” Klae says. “That’s what football did for me.”

Training for life performance

In his role as The MAC’s athletic director and head trainer, he describes himself as a “movement enthusiast” whose philosophy is to train clients for life performance. There is a level of physical performance required throughout life for everyone, he says, whether it is picking up groceries, pushing open doors, or being active enough to keep up with your kids. Whatever it is, Klae stresses the importance of physical activity to maintain health for the long term. “We used to be hunters and gatherers, and now we’re orderers and sitters,” he says.

Working across the age spectrum

Klae and the training team at The MAC work with a diverse age range—people anywhere from their early 20s to late 70s. The MAC might have had a reputation in the past as an “old man’s” exercise facility, with women’s athletics “hidden in the basement.” Today, that stereotype is nowhere near the truth. MAC Members and trainers come from a broad range of ages and demographics, and Klae is convinced the women are the hardest working ones out on the floor.  

The club and workout facility are brand new, the result of a complete renovation in 2022. The MAC offers one of Milwaukee’s best and most robust athletic experiences, no matter your age or ability level. It features a cycle studio space with top-of-the-line bikes; cardiovascular and strength training equipment; group exercise classes featuring yoga, kickboxing, strength, dance cardio, barre, and HIIT; a legendary city-center basketball court, training turf; and more. Members also love unwinding after a workout with The MAC’s renovated amenities, including the steam room, Himalayan salt wall sauna, and upgraded locker room. 

Klae loves the ability to work with members of all ages. One of his clients started a training program because she wanted to be able to lift both of her two young boys at the same time. Another client started working with Klae after retiring—he had become immobile enough that he needed to install a bar in his bathroom to help lift himself and realized he needed to make a change. With Klae’s motivation and expertise, he got so into fitness that today he competes in distance bicycle races!

The power of physical fitness

Prior to working as a personal trainer, Klae started a social fitness club for kids, working with many who faced challenging upbringings. He found that athletics brought the introverted kids out of their shells and helped them learn about working as a team to reach a common goal.

As athletic director, Klae comes in every day motivated, passionate, and committed, with the goal of being a good teammate for his clients. Working for such an iconic facility as The MAC makes him proud to walk through the doors. 

“I make athletics approachable with a smile,” he says. “It’s a great greeting for a lot of individuals. You have to meet people where they are. Sometimes people think they will be terrible and are surprised at how good they are.” That’s the magic of the “Whoo!”