UWEC Athletics Hall of Fame
Steve Forrer was one of the premier freestyle sprinters as the Blugolds developed their swimming dynasty under head coach Tom Prior in the early 1970s. He was a member of four conference championship teams, contributing an individual gold in the 50-yard freestyle in 1976 and six relay golds. During his career the Blugolds placed seventh, fifth, 10th and fourth in the NAIA Nationals as a team. His senior year the Blugolds went 9-0 in dual meets including wins over Big Ten opponents Minnesota and Northwestern. He earned All-American honors six times as he achieved three top 10 individual finishes and was a member of three top-placing relay squads including the 400-yard freestyle relay which was fourth in 1975 and third in 1976. A Mequon Homestead prep standout in football, swimming and track, Forrer served as a Blugold captain his senior year.
After graduating in 1976, Forrer began his career with Heil Company where he handled inside sales. He moved to Wacker Corporation after three years and handled both inside and outside sales for several years. In June, 1982, Forrer started his own business, Forrer Supply Co., a construction pipe and hose distributing business. At the time of his induction, his business had twice been named to the Metro Milwaukee Future Fifty Fastest Growing Small Businesses. A 1991 article that appeared in the Washington County Business called Forrer a self-proclaimed hustler. He readily admits to being a Type A personality with energy reserves to spare. Despite being president of his own successful business, Forrer has found time to remain competitive in athletic endeavors. In 1982 and 1984, he was the Wisconsin State Barefoot Waterskiing Champion and placed fourth nationally in barefoot jumping. In 1999, he took second place in the Eagle River World Snowmobiling Championships after garnering thirds in 1994 and 1995. Forrer grabbed a first place in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championships in Lexington, Ohio in 1996 and 1997 in the Formula Atlantic classification. The year of his induction, he captured four first places in the YMCA Swimming Nationals in Augusta, Georgia.
