Mueller Family to Give UW-Madison $1 Million
April 28, 2006 | General News
Curt Mueller, CEO of Mueller Sports Medicine and a former Wisconsin men's basketball player, has pledged a $1 million gift to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez announced.
'Curt's generous gift will benefit not only the Department of Athletics, but the School of Education, as well. In doing so, it will benefit students of the University for years to come,' Alvarez said. 'UW-Madison is very fortunate to have the support of people like Curt. His enthusiasm and love for the University as a whole, and athletics in particular, is much appreciated. I can't thank Curt enough for his generosity and support.'
The multi-purpose nature of the gift ' from the entire Mueller family of Sports Medicine (Curt Mueller, CEO; Brett Mueller, President; Ginger Mueller-Mann, V.P. Western Region and Jeff Mueller, Southeast Regional Sales) -- was a significant factor to Curt Mueller.
'Being a Wisconsin native and as a 'walk on' to the University of Wisconsin, it was a privilege to graduate in Pharmacy and play Big Ten basketball in the 1950's,' Mueller said. 'Our contribution to University Athletics, the Athletic Training Education Program, and the Sports Medicine Facilities is very important to me.'
Mueller has designated $700,000 of his gift to the Wisconsin Department of Athletics, $500,000 of which will support the Camp Randall Stadium renovation project.
Mueller has also designated $125,000 to the Heritage Hall project, which will be the final `jewel' in the stadium renovation. Heritage Hall will be a multi-purpose area that will showcase the proud history of Wisconsin Athletics and provide an outstanding venue for team banquets, alumni receptions, recruiting visits and more.
The remainder of his gift to Athletics will support other areas.
The UW School of Education will receive $300,000 to establish the Mueller Sports Medicine Endowment Fund for Athletic Training to provide ongoing support for capital projects, student financial assistance, salary support, and research.
'This generous gift to our nationally certified Athletic Training Education Program, along with its recent elevation to an academic major, will enable this popular program to continue to grow," said Julie Underwood, Dean of the School of Education. "On behalf of the School and Department of Kinesiology, I want to express our gratitude to Mr. Mueller for his kind support."
Mueller played basketball for the Badgers from 1954-56. He started Mueller Sports Medicine in the basement of his father's drugstore in Prairie du Sac in 1959.
