MESSAGE FROM THE OUTDOOR UW DIRECTOR

Dear Hoofer Community,

A lot has changed over the past year and Spring 2023 is jampacked with exciting programming. 2022 was considered by many as our “return-to-normal” year. Hoofer leaders focused on raising membership numbers and event offerings to pre-pandemic levels. That energy was also directed into new, fun and unique travel opportunities. Most of the clubs were able to organize and execute trips, even internationally; Mountaineering Club made a trip to Spain and the Ski and Snowboard Club led a trip to Alberta, Canada.

The new Hoofer Council hit the ground running and never looked back. Among their accomplishments is a new scholarship and endowment request system that helps streamline the process of using Foundation funds available to the clubs. Notably, our multi-club endowments have been utilized to proliferate Wilderness First Aid and First Responder certifications. Next on the schedule is launching an alumni outreach infrastructure to help collect contact information, so that clubs and their associated teams can stay in touch with valuable alumni. The end goal is for the clubs to better connect with their community, hold alumni engagement events, and fundraise.

Within Outdoor UW, we are finally closing many of the staffing gaps that have left us short on advisors. In November, we welcomed Pete Busciano as our advisor for the Outing and Riding Clubs. Dan Dunne, the previous Outing and Riding Club Advisor moved into the newly developed Recreation Program Manager position. In this role, he will be tasked with our revenue generating activities such as the rentals program, our Outdoor Explorer Series and the mooring fields. Sailing hired Gretchen Ladd as the new Head of Instruction. We filled our last vacancy, Hoofer Club Advisor for Sailing and Scuba, with Mark Gillespie, Sailing Club board member and volunteer instructor. The future’s looking bright!

Sincerely,

Dave Elsmo Director, Outdoor UW

Hoofer Mountaineering Club

Don’t look down, the Mountaineering Club has reached new heights! Over the summer, they held trips at local crags and socials at Devil’s Lake. Then, the club kicked off the academic year with the most successful season of events following the pandemic. During the colder months, climbers went on their first-ever international trip to Tarragona, Spain. Members are working on building their technical ice climbing skills by attending the Michigan Ice Festival and hosting a weekly series of indoor climbing socials.

This spring the club will travel to Red Rocks and host a Trip Leader Retreat to the Black Hills to focus on crossfunctional climbing and leadership skills. Last but not least, Mountaineering will host a series of advanced climbing clinics with the help of local guiding services!