African-American Badger Pioneers | Wisconsin Badgers

- Men's Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Wrestling
- Women's Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lightweight Rowing
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Buy Now
- Stay Connected
- Badgers App
- Badgers Sports Report
- Big Ten Network
- Email Updates
- Radio Broadcasts
- RSS Feeds
- Social Media
- Videos
- For Kids & Families
- Camps
- Tours
- Bucky's Buddies
- For Students
- AreaRED
- Special Events
- Crazylegs Classic Race/Walk
- Concerts & Special Events
- Wedding/Special Event Photos
- Our Stories
- Andy Baggot
- My Words
- Forging Firsts
- Facilities
- All Facilities
- Campus Map
- University Ridge
- Quick Links
- Chris McIntosh, Director of Athletics
- Mission Statement
- Staff Directory
- Athletic Department
- Administration
- Athletic Board
- BIOS
- Brand Communications
- Business Reports
- Compliance
- Guest Services
- Hospitality/Food & Beverage
- Policies & Procedures
- Spirit Squad
- History
- Hall of Fame
- History & Traditions
- W Club
- News Archives
- Work For The Badgers
- Employment
Shop

Celebrating Wisconsin's Black History

Julian Ware, Baseball, 1900-03
Adelbert Matthews, Baseball, 1900-02
George Poage, Track and Field, 1901-04
William Exum, Football 1929, 1934; Track and Field 1930, 1935-36
Lloyd Cooke, Cross Country 1934-36; Track and Field 1935-37
Ed Smith, Track and Field, 1938-40
Cal Vernon, Football, 1947-48; Boxing 1947-48
Ed Withers, Football, 1949-51
Sidney Williams, Football, 1956-58
Lloyd LaBeach, Track and Field, 1946
Les Ritcherson, Assistant Football Coach, 1966-1969
Leo Vinton Butts, Football, 1918

Compiled by Gregory Bond, Ph.D.
History, University of Wisconsin
badgerhistory@yahoo.com

University of Wisconsin

© 2025 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System All rights reserved worldwide / University of Wisconsin-Madison Privacy Policy / Privacy Policy / Terms of Service Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: / contactus@uwbadgers.com / NCAA Infractions Case

Big Ten Plus