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Part Two <br /> Hoofers and Their • ' <br /> Relationshi p to Others <br /> Brief History of <br /> Hoofers While other colleges provide combinations of varsity and intramural sports and <br /> recreation programs,the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers one of the oldest, <br /> largest and best known outdoor-oriented college programs in the country.The <br /> University's Wisconsin Hoofers organization boasts diversity, autonomy and a rich <br /> history speckled with past Olympic athletes. <br /> The Hoofer organization started with skiing over 50 years ago. A group of <br /> enthusiastic Norwegian students brought their skis to Madison from the old country. <br /> Their strong interest in ski jumping led to the construction of a wood jump in 1919. <br /> This jump looked over Lake Mendota and participants would actually end their ski <br /> jumping flights on the frozen lake.The jump was not well maintained and by 1930 it <br /> was unsafe and was dismantled although interest in ski jumping was still very high. <br /> The following year Professor Harold C. Bradley; Porter Butts, the Director of the <br /> Union; and other interested students and staff established the Wisconsin Hoofers. In <br /> an ambitious undertaking, they modeled the club after the Dartmouth Outing Club. At <br /> that time no one in the Midwest sold skis except inexpensive ones in children's sizes. <br /> Skiing was an unknown sport to the area. Hoofers ordered skis through Dartmouth, <br /> the ski jump was rebuilt,and the club started growing. <br /> Trips went out every weekend,just as they do today.The main activities then were <br /> hiking,climbing, archery,canoeing,camping and of course skiing.Lots of hard work <br /> and unique facilities brought several club members to national attention. Hoofers <br /> placed in many national meets and had members on the Olympic Ski Team in 1936 <br /> and 1940. <br /> The interests of the University community were growing and in 1940 Horseback <br /> Riding and Sailing Clubs were added. As time passed, student interests diversified <br /> and at their request more clubs were added. Hoofers now has seven clubs. <br /> Hoofers Today The Memorial Union at Madison is home for the seven Hoofer clubs: Hang Gliding, <br /> Mountaineering, Outing,Riding, Sailing, Scuba, and Ski and Snowboard. The <br /> combined annual membership is approximately 2800 members. The clubs combined <br /> budgets total over$500,000. Income is mostly generated by membership and fees. <br /> The clubs are run by volunteers and personnel costs account for less than 20% of <br /> expenses. <br /> Each Hoofer club has its own constitution, goals, and officers (mostly students) and <br /> each develops most of its own policies, budgets and programs.While each-pursues its <br /> particular interests,there are common goals for all the clubs. The common objective <br /> of Hoofer Council and all the clubs is to provide an inexpensive outdoor experience <br /> for the University of Wisconsin—Madison campus community. Hoofer Council is <br /> the governing body of all the clubs. Policies that pertain to all Hoofers are <br /> established by this group. Representatives from each club in addition to five officers <br /> (elected by the general membership) form Hoofer Council. This body is the <br /> communication and administration link between the Union and the clubs. <br /> 4 <br />