Being a Wisconsin native and as a 'walk-on' to the University of Wisconsin, it was a privilege to graduate in pharmacy and play Big Ten basketball in the 1950s. Our contribution to University Athletics, the Athletic Training Education Program and the sports medicine facilities is very important to me.

Curt Mueller (’57 BS Pharm)

Mueller Family Grateful Givers

The Mueller family is appreciative of all the University of Wisconsin-Madison has helped make possible.

Curt Mueller, CEO of Mueller Sports Medicine in Prairie du Sac and a former Wisconsin basketball player, and his family have pledged $1 million to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Curt's generous gift will benefit not only the Department of Athletics, but the School of Education, as well,” said Athletic Director Barry Alvarez. “In doing so, it will benefit students of the University for years to come. UW-Madison is very fortunate to have the support of people like Curt. His enthusiasm and love for the University as a whole, and athletics in particular, is much appreciated. I can't thank Curt enough for his generosity and support.”

The multipurpose nature of the gift – from the entire Mueller family of Sports Medicine (Curt Mueller, CEO; Brett Mueller, president; Ginger Mueller-Mann, vice president, Western Region; and Jeff Mueller, Southeast Regional Sales) – was a significant factor to Curt Mueller.

“Being a Wisconsin native and as a 'walk-on' to the University of Wisconsin, it was a privilege to graduate in pharmacy and play Big Ten basketball in the 1950s,” said Curt (’57 BS Pharm). “Our contribution to University Athletics, the Athletic Training Education Program and the sports medicine facilities is very important to me.”

The family has designated $700,000 of the gift to the Department of Athletics, $500,000 of which will support the Camp Randall Stadium renovation project.
Member of the Mueller family who comprise the leadership of Mueller Sports Medicine.
The Muellers also have directed $125,000 to the Heritage Hall project, which will be the “final jewel” in the stadium renovation. Heritage Hall will be a multi-purpose area that will showcase the proud history of Wisconsin athletics and provide a top-flight venue for team banquets, alumni receptions, recruiting visits and more. The remainder of the family gift will support other areas.

In addition, the School of Education will receive $300,000 to establish the Mueller Sports Medicine Endowment Fund for Athletic Training to provide ongoing support for capital projects, student financial assistance, salary support and research.

“This generous gift to our nationally certified Athletic Training Education Program, along with its recent elevation to an academic major, will enable this popular program to continue to grow," said Julie Underwood, dean of the School of Education. "On behalf of the school and department of kinesiology, I want to express our gratitude to Mr. Mueller for his kind support."

Curt Mueller played basketball for the Badgers from 1954-56. “I think it’s so much different for the athletes now,” he said. ‘Everything was pretty much low key. We didn’t look at film; just the coaches saw it. We weren’t interviewed by the press.”

He started Mueller Sports Medicine in the basement of his father’s drugstore in Prairie du Sac in 1959. “It has meant so much for me to end up with a degree in pharmacy from a great school a half-hour away from where I grew up,” he said. “For that, the UW always will have my heart.”