Celebrating 50 Years
Reunion to Celebrate 50 Years of Wisconsin Women’s Rowing
We are excited to have Women’s Rowing alumnae back on campus Fall of 2022! Check back here for updates as details are finalized.
If we do not have your contact information and you want to receive reunion information, please click here.
Friday, September 23, 2022
Welcome Reception
4-6 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn - 770 Regent Street
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Spend time at Porter Boathouse
Morning
Celebration Event – Dinner & Program
Evening
Kohl Center - 601 W Dayton Street
Hotel blocks are available now!
Hilton Garden Inn
770 Regent Street
Double rooms available Sept. 23-25 (flexible dates)
BOOK HERE
DoubleTree Downtown SOLD OUT
To register for the reunion, please click here.
Join the challenge to celebrate 50 years and ensure a bright future for the Wisconsin Women’s Crew program.
As we celebrate 50 years of Women's Rowing at the University of Wisconsin, we honor the past, respect the present and help ensure the future of one of the most collectively successful Women's Rowing Programs in the country. We must ensure the longevity of the program in order to maintain a tradition of winning and excellence.
With your help and support, we have the opportunity to protect the tradition of excellence and the ability to change lives. Together we can provide the opportunity for future Wisco Women to learn the values of teamwork, trust and toughness. We want to look back and know we made a difference in our lifetimes. Please consider helping to leave a lasting impact and know that your legacy will continue to support future Wisconsin Women's Rowing.
A Race For Wisco Women
A generous Wisconsin Women's Crew Alumna has committed a leadership gift of $500,000 as a challenge grant - thus establishing, the "A Race for Wisco Women" campaign. Should this race be won, a SECOND $500,000 challenge grant will be unlocked and a second race will commence. All gifts for this challenge will be made to the endowed Sue Ela Fund for the Future.
Get In The Boat
Donors can join the race with a gift to the Sue Ela Fund for the Future and help ensure a bright future for the Wisconsin Women’s Crew program. All Wisconsin Women's Rowing Alumna are invited to participate. If you had blisters, you belong.
Qualifying Gifts: $500 per year for five years ($2,500 total individual gift commitment) or more
“If you had blisters, you belong.”
Gallery: 50 Years: Wisconsin Women's Rowing
Sue Ela Fund For The Future
Sue Ela shined as a UW student athlete from 1972-1975 and is considered a founding member of women’s rowing at
Wisconsin. She finished her undergraduate rowing career as member of Wisconsin’s first varsity eight, winning the National Women’s Rowing Association (NWRA) National Championship in 1975.
Ela went on to serve three years as an assistant rowing coach before taking over as head coach in 1979. She held the head coaching position for 18 years, wrapping up her career in the spring of 1997. As a coach, she lead her varsity openweight eight crews to many top-five national finishes.
She was inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Her accolades continued in 2008 as a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee and in 2011 as a UW Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.
Tradition Of Excellence
Throughout the past 50 years, Wisconsin Women’s Rowing has established a tradition of winning and excellence.
- 1 Big Ten Championship Title
- 11 Eastern Sprints Championship Titles (Eights)
- 5 IRA Lightweight 8+ Titles
- 17 NCAA Appearances
- 9 Head of the Charles Titles
- 16 Olympians and 38 National Team Members
- 2 National Championships (1975 and 1986)
Benefits of Giving
- All gifts are 100% tax deductible
- Donor recognition on a plaque at Porter Boathouse ($2,500+ gifts)
- Special recognition at the 50 Year Anniversary reunion
- An additional $500K opportunity unlocked upon reaching $500K
- $50,000 gifts provide a named oar opportunity
- $250,000 gifts provide a named boat opportunity
A trailblazer in Wisconsin women's athletics, Jackie Zoch secured the first national championship in Wisconsin Athletics with @BadgerRowing
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) December 5, 2020
Today with our friends at @Kohls, we celebrate her induction into the #UWHallOfFame! pic.twitter.com/npmAy2SKXD
Deciding to walk-on to @BadgerRowing led Yasmin Farooq to the Olympics, television and a NCAA-winning coaching career
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) June 18, 2021
No wonder she's a member of the Class of 2021 for #UWHallofFame https://t.co/PPwCj7iCU4
Ways to Give
You may make gifts at any point throughout the year. There are many options to make a gift including:
- Online
- Matching Gifts
- Checks Made Payable to: “Sue Ela Fund for the Future”
- Gifts of Securities
- Planned Gift
- Donor Advised Fund and Private Foundations
Checks can be mailed to Kellner Hall, Attn: Development Office, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711. For more information on ways to give, contact Jessie Harrison at JH6@athletics.wisc.edu or 608-590-8592.
Text WROWING to 41444
Msg & data rates may apply
Meet the Planning Committee
The celebration and campaign planning committee includes:
- Bebe Bryans (Head Coach)
- Sue Ela '75 (Former Head Coach)
- Sara DeTienne '96
- Anna Leach '17
- Sarah Marty '98
- Dusty Mattison '01
- Kate Ruffing '97
- Julie Van Cleave ‘81 and ’83
- Margie Yankowski '87
For more information on ways to get involved, contact Jessie Harrison at JH6@athletics.wisc.edu or 608-590-8592.
