| University of Wisconsin–La Crosse | |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Mens Corpusque" Mind and Body |
| Established | 1909 |
| Type | Public |
| Endowment | US $41,617,510 [1] |
| Chancellor | Joe Gow |
| Academic staff | 531 |
| Students | 10,074[2] |
| Undergraduates | 9,119[2] |
| Postgraduates | 955[2] |
| Location | La Crosse, WI, USA |
| Campus | Urban 119 acres (48 ha) |
| Colors | Maroon & Grey |
| Athletics | NCAA Division III WIAC 19 Varsity Teams (10 Female, 9 Male)[3] |
| Mascot | Eagles |
| Website | www.uwlax.edu |
The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (also known as UW–La Crosse, Wisconsin–La Crosse, or UW–L) is a public university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. Part of the University of Wisconsin System, the university awards bachelor's, master's, and one doctoral degree.
Originally known for its nationally recognized physical education program, UW–La Crosse now offers 87 undergraduate programs in 44 disciplines,[4] and 26 graduate programs with emphases in eight disciplines.[5] The microbiology and exercise and sport science programs have been designated as UW System Centers of Excellence, and the College of Business Administration holds national accreditation.[6] UW–La Crosse also offers Wisconsin's only nationally-accredited degrees in recreation management and therapeutic recreation,[7] the UW System's only nuclear medicine technology program,[8] and offers one of two Midwest undergraduate archaeology majors.[9]
The UW–La Crosse athletic teams compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, in NCAA's Division III. They have won 51 NCAA national titles in nine sports, including 34 since 1991.[10] UW–L is one of six institutions among the 433 in NCAA Division III that finished in the top 20 all 10 years of the Director's Cup.[11] The university is home to the 10,000-seat Veterans Memorial Stadium.
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The university was founded as the La Crosse State Normal School in 1909, the eighth of nine state normal schools established in Wisconsin between 1866 and 1916 for the purpose of teacher preparation.[12] Thomas Morris was instrumental in the founding of the university as he sponsored the bill in the Wisconsin State Senate that led to the university's creation.[13] Initially, the La Crosse State Normal School was authorized to offer two year programs to prepare students for the teaching profession.[14] Main Hall (now Maurice O. Graff Main Hall),[15] the original building on campus, was constructed the year the school was founded. The La Crosse State Normal School opened its doors later that same year with Fassett A. Cotton as its first president.[16]
La Crosse State Normal School students began organizing several extra-curricular activities within two years of the school's founding. In 1910, students published the first campus newspaper, The Racquet, which is still published today. The Physical Education Club was formed in 1912, making it the longest continuous organization in the school's history.
The Physical Education Building (now Wittich Hall), the original physical education building, was completed in 1916 after delays due to the start of World War I.[17] This was not the only setback for the school during this period. The school struggled through serious declines in enrollment and funding following World War I and throughout the Great Depression.[18]
In 1926, George M. Snodgrass became the school's third president, replacing Ernest A. Smith, who served for only one year.[16] That same year the school's programs were expanded and authorization was given to award baccalaureate teaching degrees. This led to an institutional name change the following year to La Crosse State Teachers College.[14]
In 1931 the college was divided into separate elementary education, secondary education, and physical education divisions. It was also this year that the homecoming tradition of the "Hanging of the Lantern" began at the south entrance of Maurice O. Graff Main Hall. It was created by English teacher Orris O. White who remarked, "We'll hang the lantern in the old college tower... You won't need to look for the key - the door will be open."[17]
The Training School, which had also been referred to as the Campus School and the Model School, moved into its newly constructed building in 1939.[17][19][20] The LaCrosse State Teachers College Training School Building was later renamed Morris Hall in honor of Wisconsin politician, Thomas Morris.[21] The Training School provided practice and supervised observation for teacher training candidates.[22] 1973 was the last year of operation for the Training School.[17] Rexford S. Mitchell became the college's fourth president that same year, serving until 1966.[16]
After the Regents authorized the nine Wisconsin State Teachers Colleges to establish baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts, the college changed its name to Wisconsin State College-La Crosse in 1951.[14] It was also this same year that Wilder Hall became the first campus residence hall.[23] In 1956, the college was authorized to establish graduate programs, which led to the Master of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. A graduate program in physical education was also established at that time.[14] Florence Wing Library, the college's first library, was constructed that same year and began a period of substantial expansion for the college. Over the next 18 years (1956–1974), the college ballooned from 5 buildings to a total of 23 buildings. The college added 11 residence halls, 4 academic buildings, 2 libraries, and 2 student centers during that time.
In 1959, the college celebrated its 50th anniversary, with an enrollment of 1,821 students. That same year presidential candidate John F. Kennedy visited campus and spoke to a packed Graff Main Hall auditorium.[17]
In 1964, the college was designated a university as part of the Wisconsin State University System and was renamed Wisconsin State University–La Crosse.[14] This designation led to the creation of the Colleges of Education, Health-Recreation-Physical Education, and Letters and Sciences. Later, the School of Business Administration was also formed within College of Letters and Sciences.[14] A few years after receiving university designation, the university's fifth president, Samuel G. Gates, began his term in 1966.
The Wisconsin State University System merged with the University of Wisconsin System in 1971, at which time the university adopted its current name and also changed the title for the head of the university from President to Chancellor. Kenneth E. Lindner, who was at the time the university's sixth president, became the university's first chancellor. Lindner, after serving as chancellor from 1971–1979, was succeeded by Noel Richards, who served as the university's chancellor until 1991.[16] Lindner Forest, a heavily wooded section in the southern part of campus, was named in honor of former Chancellor Lindner.
In 1989, the university's mascot became the Eagle. UW–L men's athletics teams had previously been known as the Indians (1937–1989),[17] Red Raiders, Hurricanes, Racqueteers, and Peds and Maroons. The women's athletic teams were known as the Roonies, derived from the university's school colors of maroon and gray, since the inception of female intercollegiate competition in the early 1970s. They adopted the Eagle mascot a year after it became the university mascot.[24] Since the adoption of the Eagle mascot, the band's mascot has been the Screaming Eagle, having been known as the Marching Chiefs before that.[17] The "Eagle in the L" and caricature, which were both created in 1989, were unveiled just before the fall sports teams took to the field as the Eagles for the first time. They were penned by Dave Christianson, a 1973 arts graduate who created the images after the adoption of the Eagle mascot.[25]
In 1991, Judith Kuipers became UW–L's third chancellor, serving until 2000.[16] She was the institution's first and only female leader. In 1992, Kuipers was instrumental in the creation of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium.[17] The consortium, a collaboration of UW–L, Viterbo University, Western Technical College, Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, was created to provide cutting-edge medical education, research and training. This led to the creation of the US $27 million Health Science Center in 2000.[26]
Under the university's strategic plan, "Forward Together," the university reorganized into four colleges: the College of Business Administration; the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; the College of Science and Allied Health; and the College of Liberal Studies, which housed the School of Arts and Communication and the School of Education.[17] The College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation underwent a few names changes before eventually merging with the College of Science and Allied Health to form the College of Science and Health in 2006.[27]
The Cleary Alumni & Friends Center[28] along with Murphy Library remodeling projects were completed in 1995.[29] Construction continued on campus and two years later a student life center, the Recreational Eagle Center, and the Hoeschler clock tower were also finished.[17] Hoeschler Tower becomes a focal point on campus and the new home for the traditional "Hanging of the Lantern."[30]
The turn of the century saw a number of changes at UW–L. The Archaeology Building and Laboratories, which was a US $380,000 renovation of the campus's original power plant, had its grand opening that year.[17] A US $9.9 million renovation to Wing Technology Center also was started at that time and was completed in 2001.[31] Another major change was the resignation of Chancellor Kuipers.[16] She was replaced on an interim basis by Douglas Hastad,[17] who Hastad was named the university's fourth chancellor and ninth leader by the UW System Board of Regents in 2001.[32]
The 2001–2002 academic year was an especially good one for the university's athletic teams, who won four national championships that year, three NCAA Division III championships (indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and cross country), and one NCGA title (women's gymnastics).[17]
Joe Gow became the fifth chancellor and 10th leader of UW–La Crosse on February 1, 2007 after being recommended by the UW System.[33] He replaced Douglas Hastad, who left to become president at Carroll College, in Waukesha, Wisconsin.[34] His official inauguration took place on October 19, 2007.[35] Since taking over as chancellor, Gow has shown himself to be a very active, involved and accessible leader.[36] Gow often personally e-mails the entire student body to inform them about student accomplishments and upcoming university events. An accomplished guitarist, he even performed at the Cartwright Center's "Cellar" restaurant for students after taking over as chancellor.[37]
Today, the university continues to offer much to the area and the state of Wisconsin, including cultural events, regional and national conferences, prominent speakers, applied research, health care, professionals with varying expertise, a large workforce, and numerous faculty, staff and student community volunteers. The percentage of the university's budget that is state funded has declined over the past few years, as it has at many public universities throughout the nation. In 1996, students paid 35% of the cost of their education at UW–L and the state the remaining 65%. By 2005, the student share had grown to 51% as the state’s shrunk to 49%.[38] UW–L’s tuition still remains among the lowest of any comprehensive public university in the Midwest,[39] but the university has felt the strain caused by decreased public funding.[40] The university's centennial campaign and "growth and access" agenda are both aimed at providing the necessary financial resources to deal with the decreased state funding.[38][41]
The campus embraces diversity, a commitment to increase minority and international students, faculty and staff.[42] Despite this, African American enrollment decreased over the period between 1996 and 2007.[43] The university hopes to change that in the future with the planned "growth and access" agenda, of which expanded campus diversity is a major goal.[41]
The university's plans for the future revolve around increasing access to UW–L for talented students of all backgrounds and expanding student research and academic opportunities. UW–La Crosse will do this while providing facilities and faculty that foster a campus learning environment which expands scholarly activity and serves the needs of the student and the worldwide community. Both the centennial campaign and "growth and access" agenda are major tools meant to lead the university to these goals.[38][41]
UW–La Crosse offers 87 undergraduate programs in 44 disciplines,[4] and 26 graduate programs and emphases in eight disciplines.[5] Microbiology and exercise and sport science are designated as UW System Centers of Excellence, and the College of Business Administration holds national accreditation.[6] UW–La Crosse also offers Wisconsin's only nationally-accredited degrees in recreation management and therapeutic recreation,[7] the UW System's only nuclear medicine technology program,[8] and the Midwest's only undergraduate archaeology major.[9]
The student body is ranked second only to the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the UW system in composite ACT score and average GPA.[44] Of the 2005-06 freshman class, 67% of students received a score of 24 or higher on the ACT (600 or higher on the verbal and math components of the SAT).[45] That places the majority of UW–L students in the top 20% (80th percentile) of students taking the ACT or SAT examinations. UW–La Crosse's admission requirements have become increasingly demanding in recent years.[44]
U.S. News & World Report ranked UW–L second among Midwestern public universities offering bachelor's and master's degrees in 2005, 2006, and 2007,[46] and third in 2008.[47] The university was recognized as a “best value” by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, ranking 31st nationally among public colleges for out-of-state students and 33rd for in-state students in 2007.[45] In 2007, the Princeton Review named UW–La Crosse one of America's "Best Midwestern Colleges" and an "America's Best Value College".[48] Men's Health magazine ranked UW–L the 10th fittest campus in the country in 2005[49] and 12th fittest in 2006.[50]
In 2005, UW–La Crosse's economics department was ranked among the nation's top universities for the number of contributions to Journal of Economic Education, a leading education journal in the discipline.[51] The authors used the number of contributions by a department to measure that department's teaching quality under the assumption that schools with greater contributions to the economic education literature would have a comparative advantage in teaching economics. UW–L ranked 29th, tied with Harvard, MIT, University of California Berkeley, and three other universities.
UW–L was ranked 1st in the nation for percentage of accounting students passing all four parts of the national CPA exam in their first attempt in 2002.[52]
The UW–L physician assistant program, which is a partnership with the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation and the Mayo School of Health Sciences, had average scores on the national certifying examination that placed the program among the top five in the country in 2004.[53]
The university is organized into three colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Science and Health, and the College of Liberal Studies, which houses the School of Arts and Communication and the School of Education.[17][27]
The College of Business Administration (CBA) is professionally accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).[54] Fewer than one-third of U.S. business school programs and only 15% of business school programs worldwide meet the standards of this accreditation.[55] The CBA's goal is to foster the professional, academic and personal development of its students and so that they can succeed in the business world. It provides many undergraduate programs[56] along with a graduate program in business administration.[57]
There are 56 undergraduate[58] and seven graduate degree programs[59] in the humanities, social sciences, arts and communication, education and interdisciplinary programs that comprise the College of Liberal Studies (CLS). The CLS is divided into two separate schools, the School of Arts & Communication and the School of Education.
The School of Arts and Communication has programs that concern the human condition as it is conveyed through artistic and communicative endeavors.
The School of Education represents a collection of teacher education programs housed in a variety of departments and colleges across the university. Teacher education programs are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary School's Higher Learning Commission.[60]
Programs in the diverse disciplines of science, health, and mathematics are offered by the College of Science and Health, which offers a wide range of undergraduate[61] and graduate programs. As of fall 2006 the college also offers a doctorate in physical therapy.[62]
The compact 119-acre (48 ha) campus is located in a residential section of La Crosse. The extensive landscape of grassy fields, trees, flowers, and other vegetation gives the campus a distinct park-like feel. The university has limited vehicle traffic on campus to add to its aesthetic feel. In 2006, UW–La Crosse received a "Grand Award" at the 2006 Green Star Awards competition for its campus landscaping from the Professional Grounds Management Society.[63]
To the east of campus are the La Crosse bluffs, of which the most prominent is Grandad Bluff (mentioned in Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain), which seem to almost encase the campus. Downtown La Crosse and the Mississippi River are about a half mile west of campus.
Hoeschler Tower (1996), located in the heart of UW–L, is the focal point of campus and a popular destination and meeting place for students.[30] It is also the site for many university and student events, such as concerts, fundraisers, the clocktower dance, memorial services, and the traditional hanging of the lantern.
Sidewalk chalk is used as a means of communication among students throughout the warmer months. It is used by as a way of advertising future events, sharing personal ideas, and promoting political agendas, among other things.
Students can live in one of the university's residence halls. The newest residence hall, Eagle Hall, will open Fall 2011 and house 500 students and the new center for residence life.[64] It was completed in 2006 and offers stunning views of the nearby bluffs. Two 1950s-era residence halls, Trowbridge Hall and Baird Hall, were demolished in spring 2009 to make way for a new academic building, Centennial Hall, which is slated for completion in the fall of 2011 and will be the largest academic building on campus. A new residence hall, to be the largest on campus and has yet to be named, is being built on what was Coate Field. Further construction plans include constructing a new student building to replace an aging Cartwright Center, a new science building to replace an aging Cowley Hall, and a parking structure to replace gravel parking lots on the north side of campus.
Plans for campus developments over the next five years call for a new academic building with associated campus landscape improvements and a new stadium and outdoor athletics complex.[65]
Maurice O. Graff Main Hall - Graff Main Hall (1909), the original building on campus, contains the Chancellor's Office, a 787-seat auditorium, classrooms, and the departments of Philosophy, Psychology and Modern Languages. It also contains other administrative and student services offices. It was designated an historic site by the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1984 and is on the National Register of Historic Places as the Main Hall/La Crosse State Normal School.[66]
Wittich Hall - (1916) The original physical education building, houses faculty and staff offices, gymnasiums, a track, multipurpose and meeting rooms, a strength training center, a therapeutic/rehabilitation swimming pool, the Musculoskeletal Research Center, and the Special Populations Exercise Program. The building has been renovated for use in the preparation of special/adapted physical education teachers and therapeutic recreation specialists. Administrative, faculty, staff, and graduate assistant offices for the Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation are located in Wittich Hall. The building is also the primary practice site for the Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Gymnastics team. Wittich Hall, the Physical Education Building of the La Crosse State Normal School, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as the Physical Education Building/La Crosse State Normal School.[66]
Thomas Morris Hall - Morris Hall (1939, 1966, remodeled 1996), located at the corner of 16th and State Streets, first opened in January 1940 as the LaCrosse State Teachers College Training School Building. Morris Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.[66] Today, Morris Hall houses the instructional and administrative facilities for the School of Education including the Department of Educational Studies, Master of Education-Professional Development Program (ME-PD), Learning Communities Programs, and Office of Student Teaching and Internships. In addition, Morris Hall houses the Office of Continuing Education and Extension as well as the Frederick Theater.
Eugene W. Murphy Library - Murphy Library (1969, remodeled 1995), centrally located on campus, named in recognition of Eugene W. Murphy for his 22 years of service to UW–L and the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.[67] At the time of its construction, the library cost US $2.5 million to construct.[17] As of 2007, Murphy Library had a total of 691,282 books, bound periodicals, and government documents.[68] The library also offers a range of electronic resources, such as journals and databases that can be accessed by students. In 2006, the library opened Murphy's Mug Café, which is managed by the campus dining services.[69]
Health Science Center - The US $27 million Health Science Center (2000) was a project of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium.[26] The building includes laboratory facilities for the Medical Laboratory Science, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Radiation Therapy programs. Biology and microbiology research laboratories are also available for medical research. Laboratories and classrooms, including distance education classrooms, are shared by all educational programs at the center. A student health center, including a physical therapy clinic, is located on the main floor and serves UW–L and neighboring Western Technical College students.
Cleary Alumni and Friends Center - The Cleary Alumni and Friends Center was built in 1995 by the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Foundation and donated to the university. Members of both the university and the greater La Crosse community meet and take advantage of the conference center, smaller conference rooms, and large banquet hall. The Cleary Center houses the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Foundation offices and the Alumni and University Relations advancement offices.
Centennial Hall - Centennial Hall, the newest academic building on campus since 1974, opened in fall 2011. It is located in the center of campus and holds 46 classrooms, including two 250 seat auditoriums and various academic and student advising departments. A large, open entryway in the building opens up to the Hall of Nations. The room will hold flags from 44 countries, representing the diversity of UW-L’s international students.
Cartwright Center - Cartwright Hall (1959 with additions in 1965 and 1985), is the student union. It is home to the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Bookstore, Textbook Services, TV and reading lounges, a computer lab, student organization offices and resources, the Involvement Center, Pride Center, and meeting rooms. Cartwright Center is also home to the Valhalla theater with a built-in stage and seating for 900 and the Port ‘O Call fireplace lounge.
Mitchell Hall - Mitchell Hall (1965) is a recreational, teaching, research, and service facility located adjacent to outdoor practice fields, 16 tennis courts, soccer fields, and Veterans Memorial Stadium. Facilities include a swimming pool, basketball courts, wrestling room, dance studio, racquetball courts, and a 3,800-square-foot (350 m2) strength and conditioning center. The field house located in Mitchell Hall has a 4-lane 200-meter polyurethane track, long and triple jump pit, pole vault boxes, nets for tennis, badminton, volleyball, golf, softball/baseball hitting, and a climbing wall.
Recreational Eagle Center - The Rec Eagle Center (1997) is managed by the Student Activities Center and houses Intramural and Student Recreational Sports. The building includes a field house, a 200-meter elevated running track with warm-up areas, a strength and conditioning center, a climbing gym, a child care center, TV lounges, locker rooms/shower rooms, and various multi-purpose activity rooms. The Rec Eagle Center regularly hosts various campus activities, such as Rectoberfest and the 5K Turkey Trot Run/Walk.
As of the fall 2011 semester there were 10,074 students enrolled at UW–La Crosse, 60% of whom were female. There were 9,119 undergraduate students, 955 graduate students, 764 multicultural students, and 370 international students representing 37 states and 44 countries.[70][71] UW–L has a student/faculty ratio of 21:1 and an average class size of 24.[70] The university does not use teaching assistants to teach classes, which is common in many other large universities.
Fitness and exercise is an important part of the campus culture at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. The student body is very active in athletics, whether they be varsity, intramural, or simply recreational. The Recreational Eagle Center is often filled with students trying to stay fit and healthy. Students take advantage of the many rustic areas for hiking and biking in and around La Crosse. Renting a canoe or kayak from the Recreational Eagle Center to take on one of the region's many rivers is also a popular activity. In the winter, sleds are available to students. Pass-fail activity classes such as yoga, strength training, and rock climbing are often taken by students as a way to meet new people, explore new activities, and to get a workout. This dedication by UW–L students to health and exercise has been recognized by Men's Health magazine, which ranked UW–L the 10th fittest campuses in the country in 2005[49] and 12th fittest in 2006.[50]
UW–La Crosse has a strong commitment to diversity and acceptance regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. In 2006, the school was named one of the nation's top 100 LGBT-friendly universities by The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students.[72] The rankings were determined by examining institutional policies, commitment and support, academic life, housing, student life, counseling and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and retention efforts.
Besides UW–La Crosse, the city of La Crosse is also home to two other institutions of higher learning, Viterbo University and Western Technical College. As a result, student-friendly activities and destinations dominate the city, including Grandad Bluff, Riverside Park and the Mississippi River, Rudy's drive-in, The Pearl Ice Cream Shop, the many bars and clubs located on 3rd Street, the Rivoli movie theater, and the rest of downtown La Crosse tend to cater to college students.
The Physical Education Club, which was formed in 1912, is the longest continuously operating organization at the school.[17] Today, UW–La Crosse offers over 175 different student organizations in a wide range of pursuits, everything from academic to religious, cultural to athletic, political to social, and many others.[73]
Greek life has a small role at UW–L. Only about 1% of males and 1% of females in the student body are members of a social fraternity or sorority.[74] The four social fraternities represented on campus are Delta Sigma Phi, Sigma Tau Gamma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Chi Phi, and the two sororities represented are Alpha Xi Delta and Alpha Phi.[75] Delta Sigma Phi is the only greek organization on campus with an actual fraternity house. Additionally, the Eta Rho chapter of the Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity exists at UW-L as a coed option for students of the College of Business Administration.
The Racquet is a student-produced newspaper distributed weekly on Thursdays during the academic year.[76] The paper, which began in 1910, will be entering its centennial academic year in the fall of 2010. The newspaper contains student-produced articles about campus, community, state, and national events. The Racquet is composed of two major divisions: news and features. Campus, city, and sports news are managed by the news editor and assistant news editors; features stories, which are included in That's Life, Spotlight, Health, Business, Technology, and other special sections, are handled by the features editor and assistants.
The Racquet's staff includes the two division editors, assistant editors, copy editors, the multimedia editor, graphics designers, the advertising director, advertising representatives, a publisher, an online editor, and a managing editor. The editor in chief is The Racquet's chief executive officer, ultimately responsible for all editorial and business decisions and for determing a "vision" for The Racquet. The correspondence staff includes paid student writers and photographers (currently 38 in total). The vast majority of The Racquet's annual budget is generated internally, but a small portion is contributed via student fees.
The Second Supper is a satirical newspaper published by students and is recognized by the student government.[77]The Second Supper is published weekly from its headquarters in downtown La Crosse, serving western Wisconsin through the cities of La Crosse and Eau Claire.
The Catalyst is a student-produced and edited quarterly publication of student submitted essays, short stories, and poetry. Each edition has a different theme. The Catalyst intends to provide a channel for creative intellectual inquiry in order to provoke campus and community discussion.[78]
The university's school colors are maroon and gray. The current university mascot, which was adopted in 1989, is the Eagle. UW–L men's athletics teams had previously been known as the Indians (1937–1989),[17] Red Raiders, Hurricanes, Racqueteers, and Peds and Maroons. The women's athletic teams were known as the Roonies, derived from the university's school colors of maroon and gray, since the inception of female intercollegiate competition in the early 1970s until November 1990 when they also adopted the Eagle mascot.[24] Since the adoption of the Eagle mascot, the band's mascot has been the Screaming Eagle, having been known as the Marching Chiefs before that.[17]
UW–La Crosse's athletic teams sport a contemporary "Eagle in the L" and caricature which was created in 1989, right before the fall sports teams took to the field as the Eagles for the first time. It was created by Dave Christianson, a 1973 art major graduate who penned the images after the UW–L men's teams adopted the Eagle mascot. Women's teams started sporting the Eagles moniker in November 1990. Both the "Eagle in the L" and the eagle caricature were unveiled in August 1989. The UW-L Eagle mascot was named "Colbert" in a vote by students during the 2008-09 school year. The original vote declared that Eddie the Eagle be the name of the mascot, however the NRA mascot is also Eddie the Eagle and there was potential for a lawsuit. As a result of a second vote, Colbert was chosen.[25][79]
Tune: La Crosse by Joyce Grill
We're going to cheer, La Crosse, Because we're here, La Crosse, Let us make it clear.
We're going to fight, La Crosse, With all our might, La Crosse, Victory is near.
So let's dig in, La Crosse, We're going to win, La Crosse, Go Maroon and Gray.
We're going to fight, win, show that we're the best, because we are La Crosse, La Crosse.[80]
Hear the UW–La Crosse Fight Song
Tune: Far Above Cayuga's Waters
Morning sun greets many banners, on its westward way;
Fair to us above all others, waves Maroon and Gray.
Colors dear, flag we love, float for aye, old La Crosse to thee;
May we all be ever loyal, to thy memory.[80]
The Hanging of the Lantern's origin dates back to 1913 when UW–L students would hang small lanterns in house windows near campus. In 1931, longtime faculty member Orris O. White began a tradition of hanging one large lantern in the Maurice O. Graff Main Hall tower, above the building's south entrance. The act welcomed alumni who had returned home. "We'll hang the lantern in the old college tower over the south door. You won't need to look for the key – the door will be open," declared White.
Since 1931, a lantern has hung each Homecoming. The lantern hung on the south side of Graff Main Hall until 1997 when it was moved to the Hoeschler Tower in the center of campus. While the tower's lantern hangs year-round, it is only lit during Homecoming.
UW–La Crosse's other tradition, the Lighting of the "L," began in 1935 after Lucifer rose again as a college prank. F. Clark Carnes and Bernie Brown were bored on a foggy day, so they hiked up Miller's Bluff, which is north of Grandad Bluff. They gathered and piled brush in the shape of a 30-foot (9.1 m) by 15-foot (4.6 m) "L."
Brown and Carnes then decided to start the brush "L" on fire. They headed down the bluff to a gas station and returned with a five-gallon can to douse the brush. Brown and Carnes could see the police lights heading toward the bluff, so they lit the brush and slipped down the bluff toward campus before the police could locate them. When Brown and Carnes reached Veterans Memorial Stadium, the fog lifted and allowed the crowd to see the "L."
In recent years, the "L" has been lit by electricity and shines from Grandad Bluff.
The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse maintains strong programs in indoor and outdoor track, cross-country, gymnastics, and football, competing in the WIAC, which is in the NCAA's Division III. UW–L holds membership affiliation in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association. The gymnastics team has won a total of 12 national titles, a record in the NCGA, as well as a record 20 WIAC titles. They have also been a rising contender in the Division III wrestling ranks the past couple of years. The university also has many different sports represented at the club level, including men's and women's lacrosse (referred to as La Crosse lacrosse), men's and women's rugby union, men's soccer and many others.
UW–L has approximately 570 student athletes participating on 19 teams (ten for women and nine for men), which have won 51 NCAA national titles in nine different sports, including 34 since 1991.[81] UW–L has also won 309 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships in school history.[82] UW–L is one only of six institutions in NCAA Division III history to finish in the top 20 all 10 years of the Directors’ Cup, which includes all 433 NCAA Division III schools.[83]
UW–L has won 26 men's track & field titles in school history, the most in Division III history. The Eagles have won 14 indoor and 10 outdoor championships, both ranking first in the nation. With their national indoor and outdoor titles in 2006, the Eagles have now swept the indoor and outdoor titles in the same season 10 times (1988, 1991–1993, 1997, 2001–04 and, 2006).
The university won the NCAA Division III "triple crown" in 2001-02, claiming the men's cross country title, men's indoor track & field title and men's outdoor track & field championship. With the national titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, UW–L holds the distinction of being only one of two NCAA Division III institution to win the "triple crown" (The other being North Central College during 2009-10).
The Eagles also captured the 2005 NCAA Division III Cross Country title, the third in school history (1996, 2001).
UW–L won its sixth consecutive National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championship in 2006. The Eagles have won an NCGA record 11 national titles (1986, 1988, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2006) overall.
The Eagles won seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles in 2005-06 and finished in the top-four in 16 of 18 sports. UW–L also had nine WIAC Scholar-Athletes last year and eight WIAC Coach of the Year honors. The Eagles had 203 All-WIAC honors in 2005-06.[81]
The UW–L football team plays its home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. As of June 2008, the old football stadium and outdoor track is being replaced by a new state of the art timed outdoor track, a football turf field, a new 10,000+ seat stadium/press box/field lights, plus surrounding soccer/athletic fields. It is being paid for by sponsors and donations to UW–L.
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