Badger Men’s Rugby Alumni Association Becomes an Official 501(c)(3) Non-Profit

Dear Badger Rugby Alumni and Friends,

Happy New Year, Everyone!  We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and we are excited for the new beginnings in 2026.

I’m proud to share some very exciting news — the Badger Men’s Rugby Alumni Association is now officially established and is a recognized, 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.  As a public charity, all donations to Badger Men’s Rugby Alumni Association are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

This is a major milestone in our effort to ensure the long-term growth and support of Wisconsin Men’s Rugby.  For many years, we’ve been fortunate to operate under the umbrella of Madison United Rugby, which helped us manage donations, keep expenses down and grow to where we are today.  The Alumni Association is now able to handle all giving and membership directly, creating even greater clarity and flexibility in how alumni support the Men’s Club and support the sport of rugby at UW.

Your generosity has already fueled tremendous progress. Together, through donations and investment returns, we now have assets in excess of $975,000 and well on the way to our $2 million endowment goal.  Through our Sustaining Fund we continue to provide essential support to the Men’s Club each season — helping with the expenses of coaching, equipment, travel, and more.

We are now transitioning to a new giving and membership platform to make it even easier to contribute. If you’re a current Sustaining Fund member, keep an eye out for an upcoming email with instructions for switching your monthly gift to our new system.

For those of you who are just starting to support UW Men’s Rugby, please visit our website:

Badgerrubgyalumni.org

This is a proud day for all of us who’ve worn the jersey, cheered from the touchlines, and

built lifelong friendships through Badger Rugby. Thank you for helping us reach this milestone — and for continuing to invest in the future of the program we all love.

On, Wisconsin — and On, Badger Rugby!

Craig Manske President, Badger Men’s Rugby Alumni Association