Today is the debut of the Badger Olympics page where you will find a review of past Olympians, a list of Badgers who participated in the Olympics dating back to 1904, and current information on athletes attending the 2008 trials in hopes of appearing in Beijing, China this August 8-24.
Each week we will post a story on a past Badger Olympian. In addition, we will have up-to-date information on the trials and future UW Olympians starting this week when Donny Pritzlaff attends the wrestling trials June 13-15 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Check back frequently as we review our illustrious Olympic history. Today's look back is at Andy Rein, a silver medalist in 1984.
Andy Rein: Wrestling
At Wisconsin from 1977-1980
Participated in the 1984 Olympics (silver)
Not many Badger wrestlers have advanced to the Olympics. In fact, Andy Rein is one of only two Badger wrestlers to win an Olympic medal. Along with Russ Hellickson who won in 1976, Rein won the silver medal freestyle at 149.5 pounds in the 1984 Olympic Games.
During his time at Wisconsin, Rein earned two Big Ten titles, one NCAA championship and three All-American awards. His senior year, Rein had an undefeated season (40-0) before he won the NCAA championship at 150 pounds.
This two-time Olympian first qualified in 1980, but was unable to compete because the U.S. boycotted the Olympic Games held in Moscow, Russia. In 1984 he returned to win the silver medal in freestyle wrestling in Los Angeles.
After the Olympics, Rein continued to pursue his professional career. Additional achievements include gold medals at the 1983 Tbilisi Tournament in the Soviet Union and the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico. In 1982 Rein won even more silver medals at the World Cup of Wrestling (Toledo, Ohio) and the 1985 Super Champions Tournament in Tokyo.
Rein later returned to Wisconsin to become head coach of his alma mater from 1987-1993. During this time he led the Badgers to an overall record of 81-41-3. Rein was recognized for his coaching abilities in 1992 as the Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading the Badgers to a Big Ten runner-up finish.
