For the past decade, the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin has been more than a logo on a jersey or a banner on the sideline.
OHOW has been a steady, generous, and deeply valued partner to the Milwaukee Barbarians Rugby Club and the Lakefront 7s Rugby Tournament.
As we look ahead to the 2026 Lakefront 7s, we do so with a great deal of gratitude — and a little bit of nostalgia — as this year will mark OHOW’s final year as a major sponsor of the event. After 10 years of supporting local rugby, OHOW will be turning its community support toward other worthy organizations.
While we will certainly miss seeing their name so prominently connected to our tournament, we are incredibly thankful for the role they have played in helping our club and event grow.
How it started
The relationship between the Milwaukee Barbarians and OHOW began in 2016, when then-CEO Brian Cramer helped launch the hospital’s support of the club through sponsorship of our jerseys.
At the time, the Barbarians recognized OHOW with a framed jersey presentation, a small gesture of thanks for what was already becoming a meaningful partnership.
In an interview with the club back then, Mr. Cramer spoke about why athletics were such a natural fit for OHOW, noting that sports medicine and active communities were very much part of the hospital’s identity.
Many of our physicians and staff have played at the collegiate level, high school, and local level and still participate in marathons, triathlons and various other athletic teams. Many of us still are “weekend warriors” running, biking, basketball, volleyball, and skiing to name a few. Athletics is in our blood and bones
Brian Cramer
That connection made sense from the very beginning.
Rugby is a sport built on toughness, teamwork, resilience, and community. OHOW’s support helped demonstrate that those values matter well beyond the pitch. Their partnership was not simply transactional. It reflected a genuine commitment to local athletes, local organizations, and the people who make community sport possible.
Lakefront 7s comes on board
In 2018, OHOW also began supporting the Lakefront 7s Rugby Tournament. Since then, their presence has become part of the fabric of the event.
From field signage to tournament materials to the familiar OHOW branding seen around the grounds each summer, their support has helped us welcome teams, referees, volunteers, families, and fans to Milwaukee’s lakefront for one of the great annual gatherings in Midwest rugby.
Lakefront 7s has grown significantly over the years, and partnerships like OHOW’s have been a major reason why.
Sponsorship helps us do the things that participants may not always see but certainly benefit from: securing fields, improving the event experience, supporting operations, investing in equipment, recognizing volunteers, and keeping the tournament accessible and welcoming to teams from across the region and beyond.
Continuity in sponsorship
When Brian Cramer retired, we were grateful that OHOW’s commitment to the rugby community did not retire with him. Under the leadership of current CEO Brandon Goldbeck, OHOW continued to stand with the Lakefront 7s.
That continuity meant a great deal to us. It showed that the relationship had grown beyond one person or one season. It had become a true community partnership.
Ten years is a long time in grassroots sport. Clubs change. Rosters change. Volunteers change. Tournaments evolve. But through all of that, OHOW remained a reliable and generous supporter.
That kind of consistency is rare, and it deserves to be celebrated.
We are especially appreciative because community rugby depends on people and organizations who understand the bigger picture.
The impact of a sponsor is not limited to a single match day.
It reaches the high school player stepping onto the field for the first time, the old boy reconnecting with teammates, the volunteer spending a long day at the grounds, the traveling side discovering Milwaukee, and the local club trying to build something lasting.
OHOW has been part of all of that.
Thank-you OHOW!
As 2026 marks the final year of this sponsorship, we want to offer our sincere thanks to everyone at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, past and present, who helped make this partnership possible.
Thank you to Brian Cramer for believing in the Barbarians and helping start the relationship.
Thank you to Brandon Goldbeck for continuing that support and helping carry it forward.
Thank you to the physicians, staff, and leadership at OHOW for investing in local sport and in the Milwaukee community.
We also want to recognize that OHOW’s decision to support other organizations in the years ahead reflects the same community-minded spirit that made them such a good partner for us. While we will miss their presence at Lakefront 7s, we know their support will make a difference wherever it goes next.
For the Milwaukee Barbarians and Lakefront 7s, this moment also opens the door to a new chapter. As our tournament continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming future partners who share our belief in community, sport, service, and the unique energy of rugby in Milwaukee.
Partnering with the Lakefront 7s is an opportunity to connect with thousands of athletes, families, fans, and volunteers while supporting one of the region’s most enduring rugby traditions.
But before we look too far ahead, we simply want to say thank you.
Thank you, OHOW, for 10 years of generosity, trust, and partnership. Thank you for helping us grow. Thank you for standing with the Barbarians. Thank you for being part of Lakefront 7s.
We are proud to celebrate one final tournament together in 2026.
