The formation of many new groups, clubs, and associations in the 1960s came as a result of a dramatic increase in enrollment at the University. Because of the involvement of the United States in the Viet Nam Conflict, many young men sought enrollment in college to avoid the draft. "Enrollments rose from 2,048 students in 1959 to more than 10,000 students within ten years" (Noyes, no date, p. 276). The rise in overall students was extremely important for the athletic programs on campus. Given the resource of many new athletes, athletic teams expanded and excelled. This success caused a financial burden for the teams.
Robert Polk and Ronald Retz formed the Titan Booster Club in 1960 to aid with the financial burden that the university could not subsidize. Mr. Polk was a professor on campus and Mr. Retz owned and ran a clothing store in Oshkosh. Together, they founded the Titan Booster Club to support and raise money for sport teams. The 5,000 dollar budget for the first year has increased to over 57,000 dollars in 1998.
| 1960 Men's and Women's sports supported by the Booster Club | |
| Baseball | Men's Golf |
| Men's Basketball | Men's Swimming and Diving |
| Men's Cross Country | Women's Basketball |
| Football | Women's Volleyball |
| 1999 Women's sports supported by the Titan Booster Club | |
| Basketball | Cross Country |
| Golf | Tennis |
| Soccer | Swimming and Diving |
| Volleyball | Track and Field |
| Softball | Gymnastics |
| 1960 Men's sports supported by the Titan Booster Club | |
| Baseball | Track and Field |
| Soccer | Wrestling |
| Tennis | Cross Country |
| Basketball | Swimming and Diving |
| Football | |
Proposed 1999 Titan Booster Club Expenses:
- Capital Projects
$25,000+
- Championship Rings
$5,000*
- Championship Banquets
$3,000*
- Department Technology
$25,000
- Operational Budget
$8,000
- Promotions/Marketing $10,000
*The Titan Booster Club annually honors conference championship teams and seniors with a banquet, helps with the purchase of national championship rings, funds and promotes special events, and supports other projects the athletic budget cannot cover.
| The 1999 Titan Booster Club Board of Directors | |
| Al Ackerman | Bob Harrington |
| Bob Canny, Executive Director | Don Hoffman |
| Paul Cernhous | Rick Last |
| Dennis Detry | Maureen Olm, President |
| Eve Detry | Mark Ostendorf |
| Jim Flood | Kennan Timm |
The Advance. (1960 & 1961).
Quiver. (1960).
Ackerman, Al. (1999). Personal Interview.
Timm, Kennan. (1999). Personal Interview.
White, Shirley. (1999). Personal Interview.
Titan Booster Club, Where the Action Is! (1998). UWO Athletics [pamphlet].
A Titan takes a jump shot against UW Milwaukee.
