| Year: | 1944 |
| Team: | Wisconsin Badgers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Record: | 3–6 |
| Conf Record: | 2–4 |
| Head Coach: | Harry Stuhldreher |
| Hc Year: | 9th |
| Mvp: | Clarence Esser |
| Captain: | Allan Shafer |
| Stadium: | Camp Randall Stadium |
The 1944 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1944 Big Ten Conference football season. The team compiled a 3–6 record (2–4 against conference opponents) and finished in seventh place in the Big Ten Conference. Harry Stuhldreher was in his ninth year as Wisconsin's head coach.[1] [2] This was the first season since 1905 that the Badgers started the season away from home.
On November 11, 1944, Allan Shafer, a 17-year-old freshman quarterback, died at Wisconsin General Hospital from a hemorrhage to the lung after a hit sustained in the second half of Wisconsin's 26-7 victory over Iowa.[3] His jersey number (No. 83) was retired, and his name appears on the Camp Randall Stadium facade.[4] [5]
Tackle Clarence Esser received the team's most valuable player award.[6] Shafer was the team captain.[7] Jug Girard, a 17-year-old freshman, was selected by Look magazine as a first-team halfback on the 1944 College Football All-America Team.[8]
The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium. During the 1944 season, the average attendance at home games was 22,010.[9]
See also: 1944 NCAA football rankings.