In honor of Black History month, the University of Wisconsin athletic department will celebrate the stories of 28 former African-American student-athletes or coaches, one for each day in the month of February. (see table updated daily )
The UW athletic program launched its ' Celebrate UW's Black History ' section on UWBadgers.com in 2003. It has been updated every year with new information, a typeid=2&deptid=200&eventid=1130yearID=2008-2009"> --> photo gallery and multimedia offerings and is one of the finest college resources for African-American athletics history in the nation.
Today we celebrate former national champion track All-American Robert Hackett.
For one track star, his athleticism has paved the way to a successful career. When Milwaukee's Robert Hackett came to Wisconsin in 1983, he was one of the highest touted prep sprinters in the nation. As a freshman, he wasted no time in turning his high school success into collegiate success as he qualified for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 meters.
The Rufus King High School graduate continued his success in his later years at Wisconsin, winning five Big Ten Conference titles in the sprints and relays. He was also the member of three league championship teams. Hackett also earned the title of national champion when he ran the 400-meter leg on the 1985 NCAA Indoor Championship distance medley relay.
During his time at the UW, Hackett set school records in the indoor 60 meters and 200 meters, the outdoor 100 meters, 200 meters and 400-meter relay. He still holds the UW record in the outdoor 200 meters, a time he ran in 1987.
Hackett graduated with a degree in consumer science in 1988, but wanted to remain in athletics. He served as an assistant track and field coach at Wisconsin before becoming a strength and conditioning coach for football, basketball and track for the Badgers.
Hackett has since moved on to the NBA as strength and conditioning coach, spending seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, and is currently in his fifth season with the Dallas Mavericks. Read this article and see a short video on Robert on the TopicID=3528"> --> SportsBubbler.com .
