Wisconsin
Where They Row
A History of Varsity
Rowing at the
University of Wisconsin
Bradley F. Taylor
Wisconsin Where They Row is the definitive history of
rowing at the University of Wisconsin. Although this oldest of
intercollegiate sports had its American beginnings in 1852 as
a contest among Ivy League men, it would soon have to make room
for the stubborn steadfastness of Wisconsin's athletes. Author
Bradley F. Taylor captures the unique character of Wisconsin
crew and its athletes in this meticulously researched and abundantly
illustrated book.
Taylor recounts rowing's beginnings as the first UW intramural
sport in 1874, the long and rich history of the men's crew, the
establishment of the women's team in 1972, and the presence of
Wisconsin rowers on every U.S. men's and women's Olympic rowing
squad from 1968 through 2000. He tells of the UW men's victory
in 1892 at Oconomowoc against the "Chicago Navy," their
first competition against an outside club; the story of the famed
"Berry-Crate Crew"; and the Badger crews' participation
in the early intercollegiate regattas on the Hudson River. He
depicts how boats were shipped east by train; how one coach sacrificed
most of his salary during the threadbare 1930s to keep the sport
alive; and how thousands of spectators watched races from railroad
flatcars and yachts.
Taylor spent four years interviewing key figures, visiting race
venues, and delving into the archives of college libraries, historical
societies, and newspapers. The result is not only this book,
but also a trove of information, rowing memorabilia, and some
2000 images of Wisconsin crew history that Taylor will donate
to the University of Wisconsin archives and the new crew boathouse.
The book features:
- interviews with past and present coaches,
Wisconsin rowers, and competitors from other rowing clubs and
schools
- 100 photographs of crews and races from
1892 to 2003
- diagrams of regatta courses
- newspaper excerpts capturing the excitement
of the races
- appendices of team captains, winners,
boatings, and finishes for key regattas through 2004.
Wisconsin Where They Row documents in detail an exciting story important
to sports history, to Wisconsin's heritage, and to alums and
fans of the Badger crew teams. And, it will appeal to anyone
who thrills at the sight of oars flashing and long, slim boats
skimming across blue water.
"A
compulsively readable historical account that is thoroughly and
richly documented."—Arthur O. Hove, former freshman
Badger rower and author of The University
of Wisconsin: A Pictorial History
Bradley F. Taylor is a retired investment banker. A photographer and writer, he
is the author of The Family Joke Book. He lives in Madison,
Wisconsin.
Media & bookseller inquiries regarding review copies, events, and interviews can be directed to the publicity department at publicity@uwpress.wisc.edu or (608) 263-0734. (If you want to examine a book for possible course use, please see our Course Books page. If you want to examine a book for possible rights licensing, please see Rights & Permissions.)
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April 2005
352 pp. 8 x 10
105 b/w illus.
"Wisconsin Where
They Row splendidly shows the contribution that Wisconsin
rowers and coaches have made to the national team."
—Mike Teti, U.S. Olympic Rowing Coach.
Wisconsin rowers have been on every U.S.
Olympic squad since 1968
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