Chinese Badgers/Badgers in China: The University of Wisconsin and Chinese Student Athletes

Title

Chinese Badgers/Badgers in China: The University of Wisconsin and Chinese Student Athletes

Abstract

This panel was the third in an annual spring history series celebrating the stories of Chinese students at UW-Madison. The focus for this year’s event was on athletes and athletics in honor of campus hosting a special delegation of hockey coaches from China.

In collaboration with the Chinese Language & Culture Club (CLACC), the panel featured presentations by current students on their fellow Chinese badgers during the early twentieth century. Economics major Rowan Bickett presented on Hsueh Hai Hsieh 薛学海, Class of 1919, bachelor’s degree in economics, star sprinter on the UW track team and first Chinese letter winner at UW. Chinese Studies major Declan Halloran followed with a presentation on Abby Shaw Mayhew 梅爱培, UW professor of physical training from 1903-1912, and the first director of the YWCA Physical Education Normal School in Shanghai. Finally, History major Xiner Wu will present on Hwei Lan Chang 张汇兰, Class of 1926, bachelor’s degree in physical education, and the recipient of a UNESCO medal of honor in 1987 as the “mother of women’s modern physical education in China.”

The panel also featured comments by Serena Shi 史欣 and Chloe Chan. Shi is a member of the second of three cohorts in the Chinese Champions program, a partnership with Beijing Sports University from 2010-12 that brought elite Chinese athletes to Madison for a sports leadership seminar. She is currently a coach for the Mad City Aqua Stars, Madison’s only synchronized swimming team. Chan is a geography major from Hong Kong who is a member of the 2024-25 Wisconsin Women’s Golf Team.