Women’s involvement in athletics at the University of Wisconsin traces back to the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until 1974 that UW recognized them as intercollegiate programs.
On March 1, 1974, the Athletic Board at UW officially incorporated a 12-sport women’s program at the university. Nearly 50 years later, after more than 500 All-Americans, 95 Big Ten Championships and 9 NCAA National Championships, the women’s athletic programs at UW have proved to be at the apex of the NCAA.
As women worldwide are celebrated as part of Women’s History Month in March, it is time to also spotlight some of the greatest and most influential women athletes in Wisconsin Badgers’ history.