University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Mark Green was one of the most prodigious Blugold swimmers of all time, winning six individual and two relay gold medals in three conference championships, all of which the Blugolds won. He is one of the few Blugolds to claim three individual firsts in one championship, capturing the 500 freestyle, 1650 freestyle and 400 IM in 1982. Four of Green’s career golds were in the 200 IM and 400 IM, indicative of the most versatile swimmer on the team because all four strokes are utilized.  After leading the Blugolds to their conference titles, Green then helped the Blugolds to two fourth-place and one sixth-place finishes at the NAIA Nationals. There he earned a runner-up place in the 200 IM in 1981 plus a fourth in 1982 and a third and sixth in the 400 IM plus a fourth in the 1500 freestyle and a sixth in the 1650 freestyle plus one relay third. Green was UWEC’s Conference Scholar-Athlete in 1981-82, at a time when each conference institution was permitted a single winner each year. He was the conference and district Swimmer of the Year in 1982 and twice the team MVP. At the conclusion of his career, Green held pool, varsity or conference records  in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 500 freestyle and 1650 freestyle.

At the conclusion of his swimming career, Green spent two seasons coaching with the Blugolds. He then entered law school and received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1987.  He also attended the University of Virginia Darden School: Program for Emerging Political Leaders.  At the time of his induction, Green was an attorney in Green Bay and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Green Bay’s Fourth Assembly District. As an assemblyman, he became Majority Caucus Chair and Judiciary Chair. He was highly recognized in his elected position. He received the Legislator of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Builders Association in 1995 and the Tavern League in 1996; the Health Care Leader of the Year from the State Medical Society in 1996; the Wisconsin Award from the Independent Business Association in 1996; Friend of Agriculture from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau in 1994 and 1996; Outstanding Legislator from the Wisconsin Counties Association in 1996; Guardian of Small Business from the National Federation of Independent Business in 1996 and 1996.