Wisconsin Union
Outdoor Programs Office University of Wisconsin-Madison • Memorial Union • 800 Langdon Street • Madison,Wisconsin • 53706
Mountaineering Outing Riding Sailing SCUBA SNS What is the OPO? The Outdoor Programs Office (OPO) is a department of the Wisconsin Union within the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Outdoor Programs Office assists the six Hoofer clubs and Hoofer Council with skill development related to risk management, training, finances, recruitment and more. The OPO includes a staff of student office workers, a financial specialist and two advisers who work with each of the Hoofer clubs. The Outdoor Programs Office also serves as an outdoor education and recreation resource for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Madison community. The Wisconsin Union features more than 1,000 events a year hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate, the Union's student volunteer programming board. Hoofers History Wisconsin Hoofers has a rich and active history on the UW-Madison campus. Officially starting in 1939 by H.C. Bradley and Porter Butts, Hoofers offered outdoor educational experiences to students, staff, and faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The club quickly grew in size and reputation, becoming a well-recognized organization for outdoor recreation in Madison and around the country. Hoofers helped popularize skiing in Wisconsin by making ski equipment available to students. Before the 1930s, skiing had been limited in the Midwest-- so limited that the Club had to order its supplies from the Dartmouth Outing Club whose students shipped the supplies from Switzerland. Through Hoofers, interested students were able to rent equipment from the Union and learn how to ski at a cost of 25 cents per use. One of Hoofers' first major projects was to re-build the campus ski jump. The original ski jump was built in 1919, but by the early 1930s it was in disrepair. With the assistance of a senior class gift from the Class of 1932, the Memorial Union and several Hoofer fund raising efforts, the ski jump was rebuilt on Muir Knoll. Standing 56 feet tall and weighing 55 tons, the ski jump became an icon that would place Hoofers in the public spotlight, prompt the Central U.S. Ski Association to hold its tournaments on the UW-Madison campus and, of course, attract many new Hoofer members. Hoofers did not stop with ski jumping competitions. The Winter Carnival celebration became an annual highlight of Hoofers, offering skiing, ice skating, ice sculptures, fashion shows and other activities. From the start, the event was extremely popular and it remains so to the present. In 1933, Hoofers began operating a toboggan run near present-day Elizabeth Waters residence hall. Students were charged 10 cents for each thrilling ride. The toboggan slide was closed in 1936 when construction began on site. Hoofers expanded its activities beyond skiing and canoeing and established its Sailing Club in 1939, Riding Club in 1939, Mountaineering Club in 1949, Outing Club in 1952 and SCUBA club in 1972. Hoofers Today Today, Hoofers includes the Hoofer Mountaineering Club, Hoofer Outing Club, Hoofer Riding Club, Hoofer Ski and Snowboard Club, Hoofer Sailing Club and the Hoofer SCUBA Club. Hoofers sponsors five collegiate competitive teams including the UW Alpine Racing Team, UW Nordic Team, UW Freestyle Team, UW Equestrian Team, and UW Sailing Team. The Riding Club and Sailing Club also offer popular youth programs starting in spring. Last updated: October 30, 2011 If you have trouble accessing content within this site, please contact the Webmaster. |
