UWM Track Team Reunion

I heard from many who attended last summer's reunion that it was wonderful but there was not enough time to catch up with all of our friends. I've also heard from some who could not attend, that you wished there was another opportunity to gather. Well, thanks to Sue (Burkhardt) Maurer, we've another chance to meet up this summer.

On July 11th, beginning at 3:00p.m. Sue will host a BYOE (bring your own everything - chairs if you have them) gathering at her three-acre spread at 24214 Burmeister Road, Union Grove, 53182. She's told me there is enough wood to have a bonfire for the next century. She has put no end-time on this event (but really, no one should linger past 3:00 a.m. unless it's Blaine Blaesing on the bongos).

RSVP to me.

Here are some updates for the June 28 Track Team Reunion.

The event runs from 5:30 - 11:00 at the Great Hall of the old Pabst Brewery complex on 917 W Juneau Ave.

Costs

With the help of team members under-writing the event, we are able keep admission to $50/person. This will be waived if this is cost prohibitive for anyone. Cash bar.

Reunion Hotel

Holiday Inn Milwaukee Riverfront, 4700 N. Port Washington Road. It is across the Milwaukee River from Esterbrook Park (just south of Hampton) with easy access to I 43. Rooms can be booked for the reunion on Friday and Saturday night (rates can be extended on either side of these dates for two days for those of you who may wish to extend your stay). Parking is free. You can book rooms at the hotel by calling 414-962-6040. Rooms are blocked under UWM Track Team Reunion or Block Code Y20. Rooms must be booked by May 28.

Bike Ride

Mike Dobrient has taken the lead to help arrange a bike ride on Sunday morning. Here is a link to a survey to assess interest in the ride https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26TDT3F.

Commemorative T-Shirts & Food Survey

Julie (Hasbrook) Reuteman has offered to produce commemorative t-shirts at cost ($10/shirt) for the event through her family business Mid-City Sales (Hartland, WI). These are unisex shirts. If you are interested in a t-shirt please email me the size you desire at [email protected].

Need Photographs

We are still looking for more team pictures and action shots. We plan to use the photos for name tags and project the pictures during the course of the night. Please send to [email protected].

Other

1) John “Uts” Haertel has invited us to his home lac LaBelle in Oconomowoc on Sunday afternoon.
2) Tom Stefaniak has arranged a Klotsche tour with the current UWM Track Coach Andrew Basler. TBA
3) A Sunday morning walk and Sunday morning run are being arranged

Here is the current run of show for the night of June 28:

5:30 – The Great Hall Opens – Check in - drinks available cash bar
6:30 – Food Served
7:00 – Group photo with UWM Alumni Association Photographer
7:30 – Greetings from UWM Track Coach Andrew Basler
8:00 – More Food Served/Dance Music Begins
10:30 – Thanks/Announcements regarding next day’s activities
11:00 – The Great Hall closes

Please reach out with any questions or comments.

forms.office.com

Folks, I have found a venue for our June 28th team reunion. We will meet at the Great Hall of the former Pabst Brewing complex. It is owned by Jim Haertel, brother of our teammate John Heartel, aka Uts. We will have the space from 5:30 - 11:00. I am working with a nearby hotel to arrange a block of rooms for us, 1/2 block from the venue. There is ample parking and the area is safe. I'm excited about seeing you all soon. To date 60 former UWM track and field teammates have committed to attend, some from as far away as Alaska. Please reach out to all those you know who may not have heard about the reunion and/or have not yet declared their intent to attend.

My time at UWM had several centers of focus, Sociology, employment at the Klotsche Center, the Flicks, Gaushaus, etc. But it is my time on this team that grounded me the most then and orients me today. I am honored to have share the distinction of being the teammate of so many wonderful men and women. I hope to see you again June 28th. I am working with others to frame this event with more activities to renew our friendships and enjoy our lives.

The evening of June 28, 2025 has been set for the reunion. Venues are being explored.