The crack of the bat wasn't the only sound echoing through the Goodman Park softball diamonds this week; it was the sound of a century-old relationship coming full circle.
To kick off the summer softball season, MMSD Superintendent Joe Gothard took to the mound for a commemorative first pitch. While the pitch was a strike, the real goal of the evening was to celebrate a massive milestone: MSCR Centennial, 100 years of recreation.
Adult softball has been a cornerstone of Madison summers and MSCR since 1926. MSCR's founders recognized the value of providing opportunities for connection and activity beyond the work and school day. The very first MSCR activities were adult softball and summer playground programs. One hundred years later, MSCR has evolved into a powerhouse MMSD department offering a wide range of programs and annually serving 100,000 participants, and adult softball remains a summer staple.
For many, MSCR is synonymous with after-school programs, summer camps, fitness classes and adult sports leagues. However, the first pitch served as a reminder of a unique organizational bond: MSCR is a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District.
"People often see MSCR and MMSD as separate entities, but they are truly two sides of the same coin — I know because my family has been participating in MSCR programs and attending MMSD since the 1940s," MMSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard said. “I often share how my personal ties to MSCR have shaped me as an educator and community member. For more than 100 years, we've been able to support the whole child and the community by expanding our focus beyond the school day. We aren't just educating students, we're building a healthier, more connected Madison through every program and activity we offer."
This "school community recreation" model — where the public recreation department is managed by the school district — is a rare gem that has allowed Madison to maximize public resources since 1926. By sharing facilities like gyms, fields and classrooms, MMSD and MSCR ensure that tax dollars work double-time delivering 100 years of community impact.
100 years of recreation
MSCR's centennial is about celebrating 100 years of recreation and opportunity and recognizing the department's role in Madison's social fabric.
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Madison Metropolitan School District
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