Where They Row: The History of Men’s Crew at the University of Wisconsin

Originating in 1874, men’s crew is the oldest sport at the University of Wisconsin. Crew has been very successful, bringing 19 national championships to UW in various events, even through there are no athletic scholarships for the sport.

This exhibit tells the story of men’s crew at UW through text, images and audio, and was made possible by Bradley F. Taylor of the Friends of the UW Men’s Crew, through donations to the UW-Madison Archives.

Taylor is also the author of “Wisconsin Where They Row: A History of Varsity Rowing at the University of Wisconsin.” University of Wisconsin Press, 2005.

Information on men’s rowing from the 2001/02 season to the present can be found at UW Athletic Department – Men’s Rowing.

Completed by Tyler Kennedy and Bradley Taylor for the UW Archives.

Introduction

Listen to an Oral History Clip below.

• Director of Sports Information James Mott summarizes the history of Men’s Crew at UW. (3:01)

*All the materials used in this exhibit can be found at the UW Archives, along with other resources including scrapbooks which document the program at the turn of the century, early 1930s and late 1940s, additional event programs, and the full oral history interview with Randy Jablonic.