Not many people, including those who follow sports, realize that Wisconsin has a tradition in rowing.

Going back to the days when Randy Jablonic coached UW rowers, and even before, the Badgers have had one of the better programs in the country. Medal winner Sarah Garner and others represented the state in Sydney at the Olympics last year.

Now, Milwaukeeans will get a chance to see some of the best rowers in the country compete in the Milwaukee River Challenge on Sat., Sept. 22.

Up to 400 competitors will participate, including members of the U.S. National Rowing Team and the UW and Marquette crews.

The Riverwalk District, UW Rowing, the Milwaukee Rowing Club and others are sponsoring the race, which will be a two-way race along the river from Chicago Street to the Humboldt Bridge and back again.

Some of the bridges, and the proximity of buildings to the river in the downtown area, could make the river a great venue for the race.

"It's really unprecedented for protection, and the venue it affords for rowing," UW men's crew coach Chris Clark said. "This is probably one of the prime rowing venues I've seen in the country."

Organizers hope The Milwaukee River Challenge can some day rival the Charles River race in Boston, which annually attracts 500,000 to 750,000 spectators. Next year, the race will be held on Oct. 26, one week after the Head of the Charles Race.

Yours truly covered some rowing during the Jablonic era at UW, and again last year in Sydney. It truly is a sport of stamina and technique. A close rowing race can lead to photo finishes and a great deal of excitement.

Kudos to the organizers of The Milwaukee River Challenge. It could end up providing a major step in the process of transforming the river from what once was a smelly, flowing cesspool into a true asset for the community.

The water quality in the river has improved since the North Avenue dam was destroyed. Fishers are catching fish in parts of the river where they had not seen certain species for years. More recreational boating is using the river.

The Challenge could serve to further focusing attention on the river and its natural potential, while also exposing rowing as a sport in Milwaukee.

Need more information? Check out the official Web site at milwaukeeriverchallenge.com.

Bucks' coach George Karl might have found a spot for his dream of developing a youth basketball facility in Milwaukee. Karl reportedly is talking with city officials about an 8-acre site near 27th St. and North Ave.

Karl would like to build a $5 million facility that would include basketball courts and educational facilities. The facility might be built by his Friends of Hoop foundation. Karl presently runs similar facilities in Ohio on a for-profit basis.

Good luck to George in this venture. The Bucks and Milwaukee really are lucky to have a sports figure like him who wants to give back to the community. Such philanthropy has been part of the Bucks' tradition, but had dwindled until Karl, Ray Allen and others showed up on the scene.

The Milwaukee Rampage assured itself of making the A-League playoffs with a 1-1 tie against the Vancouver Whitecaps last week. The Rampage now will end the regular season Wednesday against Vancouver.

A-League playoffs start Sept. 12 and run through the 16th. Look for a schedule of Rampage games in this column when it is announced.

Kudos to Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel for a good analytical piece in Sunday's paper about the feasibility of a Major League Soccer team making it in Milwaukee.

The writer believes a MLS team can make it, in large part because of the European and Hispanic ethnic demographics and because of the tradition of support for youth soccer. The potential customer base is better than only the population might indicate.

Of course, a stadium will be a key to whether the city even gets a franchise. It remains to be seen if the powers to be will support that effort.