Vern Woodward (2007) | UW Athletic Hall of Fame

UW Athletic Hall of Fame

Vern Woodward

Class
Induction

2007
Sport(s)

Boxing

1936, 1937 Competed at UW in heavyweight division; won All-University title
1938-1956 Mentored youth through "Little Badger Boxers" program designed to teach self-defense, self-discipline, and self-worth
1947-1958 Appointed Assistant Boxing Coach at UW
1948-1960 Appointed Assistant Boxing Coach and trainer of the US Olympic Boxing Team
1952, 1954 Appointed Assistant Coach and trainer of NCAA Boxing Team which competed in Olympic Final trials
1952 Elected President of National Intercollegiate Boxing Coaches Association
1954 Appointed Coach of US Air Force team which won six of ten championships in first world-wide inter-service tournament
1958 Appointed Head Boxing Coach at UW
As Head Coach team won 8 NCAA titles and 36 individual titles
1958 Appointed member of Olympic Boxing Rules Committee
1959 Director of UW Pan-American Boxing Trial finals
1959 President of Intercollegiate Boxing Coaches Association
1960 Elected Secretary of US Olympic Boxing Committee
1963 Appointed Head Boxing Coach for US Pan-America team
1969 Appointed Chairman, National AAU Junior Olympic Boxing Committee and member of the National AAU Boxing Committee
1973 AAU International Boxing Committee
1973 Selected as one of Wisconsin's Best Heavyweight Boxers
1975 Again appointed as Head Boxing Coach for US Pan-American team
1975 Named "Man of the Year" by Wisconsin Association of Boxing Officials and Coaches
1981 Named to the UW River FAlls Athletic Hall of Fame lettering in five sports - boxing, football, basketball, baseball, swimming
1988 Named to the National AAU Boxing Hall of Fame