Longtime University of Wisconsin Sports Information Director Jim Mott has died at the age of 79. Mott worked in the university's sports information office for 36 years.
Mott joined the sports information office as a student assistant in 1953 and became a full-time assistant in 1954. He took over as the director of men's sports information in 1966 and served in that capacity until retiring in 1990.
Among his many career highlights was serving as the press liaison for the 1980 U.S Olympic Hockey "Miracle on Ice" team, which won a gold medal in Lake Placid. He earned several other awards and honors including the Madison Pen and Mike Club (now Madison Hall of Fame) Pat O'Dea ward in 1995 and was the National W Club Man of the Year in 1991. He entered the Madison Hall of Fame in 1996.
Known for his collection of Badger statistics held in his memory, one of the favorite activities at booster club functions throughout the years was "Stump Jim Mott". Members would ask Mott an obscure question or stat, and Jim would always come up with the correct answer. He had an uncanny ability to recall the most minute data about his beloved Badgers.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Dot), and three sons, all UW graduates, Bill, David and Eric.