MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin will be inducted into the Team USA Collegiate Impact Award Class of 2022, as announced on Thursday by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
The award recognizes the top-contributing schools to Team USA's performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
UW is one of four schools to be inducted into the inaugural class, which will be recognized during the Team USA Collegiate Recognition Awards next week as part of the National Football Foundation's 64th Annual Awards celebration on Dec. 6, 2022, in Las Vegas.
The Badgers will receive the Olympic Silver Award at the award celebration for having five U.S. Olympians in Alex Cavallini, Brianna Decker,
Caroline Harvey, Hilary Knight and Abby Roque as the quintet led the U.S. women's hockey team to silver at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The group was also joined by current Badger
Jesse Compher, who previously played at Boston University, and was supported by current UW Director of Operations and Equipment Manager
Sis Paulsen, who was an equipment manager for the Team USA squad.
UW men's equipment manager Nate LaPoint served in a similar capacity for Team USA's men's hockey entry, as well.
Minnesota will accept the Olympic Gold Award for having 12 U.S. Olympians and eight medalists and Boston College will collect the Olympic Bronze Award for having five U.S. Olympians and three U.S. medalists. In addition, New Hampshire will be awarded the Paralympic Gold Award for having four U.S. Paralympians and four U.S. medalists.
"The collegiate athletics system is essential to growing and keeping sport strong in our country," said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. "Athletes who competed collegiately were the foundation of Team USA's success in Tokyo and Beijing. We're excited to honor the leaders who foster these sport opportunities and support student-athletes on campus."
More information about the Team USA Collegiate Recognition Awards – and about Team USA's collegiate footprint in Beijing – can be found online at TeamUSA.org/CollegiateImpact.
