Randy Jablonic "Jabo"

Born in Waukeegan, Illinois and raised in Owen, Wisconsin, Randy Jablonic came to the University of Wisconsin as a student in the late 1950s. Recruited by coach Norm Sonju, he rowed on the 1959 National Championship team — setting the foundation for a lifelong connection to Badger crew.

After the 1960 season, Jablonic stepped into coaching as the Freshman coach, and in 1968 became Sonju's hand-picked successor as head coach. The choice proved historic.

In the early 1970s, Jablonic faced the threat of the program's elimination — a challenge he weathered through determination and by building relationships with Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch and the Athletic Board. What followed was the program's golden era: four consecutive National Championships from 1972 to 1975, with Jablonic crediting Freshman Coach Doug Neil as instrumental to that success.

As crew remained a non-scholarship sport, Jablonic developed unconventional recruiting techniques — famously working the long registration lines of the era to find his next oarsmen. He helped launch women's crew at UW and extended his reach internationally, coaching the U.S. squad at the World Championships from 1981 to 1983. He was narrowly passed over as U.S. Olympic coach in 1984.

Among his lasting contributions was founding the Midwest Rowing Championship, held annually on Madison's lakes from 1973 to 2007 — cementing UW as the pacesetter among Midwestern programs.

Jablonic retired after the 1995 season, closing the longest tenure of any UW crew coach. He was succeeded by his assistant, Chris Clark.