UW Men’s Rowing. Varsity 8 in 1984. Mike Schultz is 4th from the right.
Stewards Spotlight: In His Own Words
– Mike Schultz ’84
Every Wisconsin rower has a story.
Some remember a race. Others remember a coach, a teammate, or a moment that forever changed how they viewed themselves.
Mike Schultz is a 1984 Wisconsin rowing alumnus. You may have met up with him at our recent Hall of Fame event. Over the course of the past year, Mike has embraced the Stewards of 1874 mission and has invested his time, joined in events and invested over $50,000 to support the Stewards Excellence Fund. He’s now volunteering to strengthen our connections with other alumni and foster the further success of the Stewards’ work.
Mike’s story is about much more than rowing. It’s about discovering confidence, building lifelong friendships, embracing challenges that once seemed impossible, and investing in the next generation of Badger rowers.
When I connected with Mike, it was clear, no one tells Mike’s story better than Mike. Enjoy hearing this in his own words.
We are so very grateful for Mike’s generosity – yes – and for the vision he has for Wisco Rowing that called him to take action to support Wisco Rowing now!
Thank you and On, Wisconsin!
Marcy Heim – Stewards Alumni and Development Relations
In His Own Words – Mike Schultz ’84
Q: Why did you decide now was the time to give back to Wisconsin Rowing?
Mike: Wisconsin Rowing had a profound impact on me—not just during college, but throughout my life. I want future students to have the same opportunities I had: to attend a world-class university, build the foundation for a lifelong career, and grow as both an athlete and a person while competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics.
Q: Take us back to the beginning. Tell us about your experience as a Wisconsin rower.
Mike: I walked on to the rowing team with zero athletic background. I grew up around boats, so I was attracted to the idea of a sport on the water.
The adjustment freshman year was rough. My teammates had mostly been athletes in high school. They were already in shape and could actually run a mile! I quit a couple of times, but Coach Kucik reached out to me—and even called my parents—to encourage me to come back.
Everything changed when I competed at Nationals that first year. From then on, I was hooked.
Looking back, I loved the variety and intensity of everything rowing demanded: running pyramids at Camp Randall, cross-country skiing on Army surplus gear, the morning Jabo punished us with six 2,000-meter pieces after discovering a crew party, stadium steps with a teammate on your back, van rides, jumping into Mendota through a hole Jabo cut in the ice, marching through the airport carrying our oars, and somehow reeling in my faster teammates at the end of a Toppings run.
It was all formative stuff I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Q: Were special friendships formed through rowing?
Mike: Absolutely. My Wisconsin teammates are some of my closest lifelong friends. There’s something about everything we experienced together that creates a unique bond. We still get together regularly—usually with an athletic goal, endurance event, or adventure as the excuse.
Q: When you think about how rowing shaped your life, what comes to mind?
Mike: Being a Wisconsin rower has become part of my identity. Rowing gave me the work ethic and confidence to take on challenges I probably wouldn’t have attempted otherwise, whether endurance events or career opportunities.
Q: Is there one moment that captures what Wisconsin Rowing meant to you?
Mike: I remember a Gamut erg test on the platform at the far end of the rowing tank. My goal was to beat 3,600 on the 5½-pound, six-minute test, which meant keeping the tachometer above six the entire time.
I finished just shy of 3,600, but the piece absolutely destroyed me. My arches ached so badly I couldn’t stand or walk.
What I remember most, though, is two teammates lifting me off the erg and carrying me to a rowing bench.
That captures Wisconsin Rowing for me: all-out effort and total support.
Q: What would be your message to other rowing alumni who are considering supporting the Stewards Excellence Fund?
Mike: Given the challenges facing Olympic sports in general—and men’s rowing in particular—the time to help is now. If Wisconsin Rowing shaped your life, supporting the Stewards Excellence Fund is a meaningful way to ensure it can do the same for others.
Q: Beyond rowing, you also earned your Badger degree. What does being a Badger mean to you today?
Mike: I always get a positive reaction when people learn I’m a Badger. Whether it’s respect for the degree, the University’s reputation, or simply how beautiful the campus is, people are impressed by so much that Wisconsin represents.
On, Wisconsin!
SUPPORT WISO ROWING
Wisconsin Rowing’s strength has always come from its people—oars in the water, pulling as one. As we look to the future, your involvement is more important than ever. Whether through financial support or lending your time and talent, there are meaningful ways for every alum to contribute to the continued success of the program.
