Sometimes, a hobby grows into a passion and evolves into a full-time job. 

That seemed to be the progression as Craig Nelson became interested in the UW hockey team’s beginnings from the 1890s through 1935, when the program was put on hiatus until 1963.

His interest started as a kid attending Badger hockey games when he would see pictures of players from the 1920s and ‘30s on the program covers but no information about them. 

He began casually researching newspapers, magazines and the scrapbooks from the UW archives. 

When Craig retired, he became more serious about his research and decided to write a book. 

In “Seasons of Ice: The Birth of Wisconsin Badger Hockey,” Craig provides information about the program’s early days. 

It wasn’t until the 1920s that hockey grew in popularity. Initially, in years before, Craig would find only a couple of sentences about games in newspapers. He searched for information about games in Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan papers to find details. 

But in the late 1920s, the Madison media began to increase their coverage of games, providing information about the players and game details. 

UW magazines began to feature the sport on the covers, including the Wisconsin Athletic Review. 

Craig discovered some key players and coaches from that time, including Coach Joe Steinauer, who ensured the program continued by recruiting players. Gordon Meiklejohn was one of the more memorable players. He was asked to play on the U.S. Olympic hockey team but declined as a protest because it was to be held in Nazi Germany. 

Meiklejohn would go on to develop a flu shot and was instrumental in the eradication of small pox, Craig said, 

Without an indoor rink, the Badger hockey team faced challenges. They played on Lake Mendota, and so when the weather warmed up, and the ice melted, they were unable to host games. That led to the team’s hiatus, Craig said. 

With Craig’s extensive research, some of the record books will likely be rewritten. 

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Other News: 

-The steak fry is June 5. 

-Other opportunities for fellowship will be the July 10 Senior Picnic, the Aug. 7 National Night Out cooking brats, and the June Live from the Park series on Tuesday nights. 

-President Jennifer Tasker said in May, the district grants will be wrapped up. They include grants for libraries in Guatemala, a project in the Philippines and the ambient lights. A new grant for a K-9 operator training is now being sought. 

Guests: Craig Nelson and Stacey Nelson, guest of the club, along with Brisa, who no longer feels like a guest.

Visiting Rotarians: 

Birthdays: June 2, Tom Roepke; June 2, Tom Kennedy

Anniversaries: May 30, Phil and Betty Willems

Greeters: May 30, David Kennedy and Jean Elvekrog; June 6, ???

 To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/