CONTENTS DECEMBER 22, 2015 ■ VOLUME 6, ISSUE 19

FEATURE STORY DAVID STLUKA

TIME TO TAKE HIS TURN No one has had a better seat than for soaking up what made a legend. Now Gard is ready to take what he’s learned and apply his own stamp to the Badgers’ program.

FEATURES BADGERS GIVE BACK IN [FOCUS] CULTURE OF CARING The week's best photos

UW’s ever-growing volunteer initiative THE VOICE has left a lasting impression on peo­ Looking back, looking ahead ple from all walks of life ― especially on the Badgers themselves. BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW

LUCAS AT LARGE WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers

READY FOR MOORE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Badgers’ best and brightest Howard Moore has seen Greg Gard’s

work up close, and what he knows DAVID STLUKA of UW’s new interim head coach has ASK THE BADGERS him excited to rejoin the staff. Childhood career dreams

BADGERING-SCROLL FOR MORE­ Johnny Jimenez (Wrestling) Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711

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© 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM Moore appreciates challenge facing Gard t was only natural that the a long time.” insider’s access to Gard, and young assistant coaches might As fate would have it, Moore Moore can definitely supply it. Igravitate towards each other and Gard would get to know each “Greg is a very humble guy since Howard Moore, Greg Gard, other a lot better. In 2005, Jeter ― hardworking, determined Tony Bennett and were left the Ryan nest to become the and very focused,” Moore said. all about the same age. head coach at and “Those are the things that really They were all driven by the Moore replaced him at Wiscon­ gained my respect for him right same thing, too, they wanted to sin. off the bat. be a head coach someday. For five seasons, Moore worked “We had a great working rela­ Fourteen years ago, Moore, a in unison with Gard and Gary tionship. We communicated on former UW basketball player, was Close, who joined Ryan’s staff a daily basis about basketball, toiling as an assistant at Bradley in 2003 after Bennett went to recruiting and just operational University and Gard, Bennett and Washington State to be with his things within the program. It was Jeter were on Bo Ryan’s first staff father, Dick, the former UW head always a good relationship that at Wisconsin. coach. way.” “I really didn’t know Greg that As a result of his coaching stint There’s something else about well,” Moore recalled. “We talked with the Badgers, there’s not Gard’s qualifications that might a little bit, small talk. He remem­ another ana­ not be as readily apparent out­ bered when I played for the Bad­ lyst that can offer more insight side of Madison, according to gers and I knew that he was with on Gard than Moore, who’s in Moore, because of the long shad­ Bo and we built it from there. the midst of his first season with ow cast by Ryan the last 15 sea­ “It’s one of those things where BTN. sons. I barely remember when we first With Ryan’s retirement, Gard’s “Greg has a good eye for tal­ met ― I think we met at a Final interim title has become one of ent; I don’t think he gets enough Four after their first year at UW― the talking points in the confer­ credit for that,” he said. “He has but I felt like I had known him for ence. People are thirsting for an recruited a lot of the top players DAVID STLUKA

Howard Moore

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM

that have played for Bo. He un­ “From that standpoint of a He was named the head coach derstands what recruiting is all family wanting genuine people to at Illinois-Chicago. He was born about.” help their sons grow and devel­ and raised not far from the UIC Gard understands Wisconsin. op, Greg is definitely a genuine campus. He played ball in the He understands what this school person. He’s very real, very warm Chicago Public League at Taft is all about academically, ath­ …” High School. letically and socially. He under­ Very much in the spotlight to­ Moore, then 37, had no previ­ stands what he has to sell and day as the interim head coach. ous head coaching experience. how he should go about selling it. “But you look at opportunities “It’s a different place from the when they come,” he said, “and perspective of there’s a certain “HE’S GOING TO BE RESPON­ you prepare yourself as much as way you have to go about do­ SIBLE FOR EVERYONE IN THE you can for them. ing things,” said Moore, whose PROGRAM AND WHAT NEEDS TO “When I was at Wisconsin (as greatest catch as a UW recruit­ TAKE PLACE,” MOORE SAID OF an assistant), there were a lot of er was Frank Kaminsky. “That’s GARD. “AND HE’S GOING TO BE things that I observed under Bo what makes it (Wisconsin) so RELIED ON TO MOVE IT FOR­ that he really didn’t have to teach me or tell me. It prepared me for unique. There are no short cuts. WARD. I THINK HE’S PREPARED There’s nothing that is going to a lot of things that I ran into.” allow you to cut corners. People FOR ALL OF THOSE THINGS.” He believes the same is true respect hard work; rolling up of Gard, a Ryan assistant for 23 your sleeve and getting after it. “You’re now the one in con­ years at three schools, includ­ “That blue collar approach is trol,” Moore said. “You’re respon­ ing the last 15 with the Badgers; not going to change.” sible for anything that doesn’t a continuity that should not be All of which has been in Gard’s happen well. And you get very lit­ ignored, Moore implied. wheelhouse. tle credit for all of the things that “He will now be challenged “You just have to be yourself in do go well. Nature of the beast.” with making some strong deci­ recruiting,” said Moore. “If you Been there. Done that. Moore sions that are going to affect the try to come in and be something has been in the jaws of the program,” he said. “That’s not that you’re not, the kids will see beast. Hired and fired. just from recruiting but from a through that. It’s phony to them. In 2010, he went home again. game-to-game situation.

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM “He’s going to be responsi­ the administration that he has a ple of calls, but not enough.” ble for everyone in the program firm grip on what it takes to keep Moore now has a much dif­ and what needs to take place. the program going in the right ferent view of things from the And he’s going to be relied on to direction.” BTN studios in Chicago. “You move it forward. I think he’s pre­ Based on his own move from don’t have a win or a loss (af­ pared for all of those things.” assistant to head coach ― the terwards),” he said. “You report Moore knows something about proverbial 18 inches on the what you see and that’s it.” coaching transitions from a play­ bench ― what might Moore Despite his BTN affiliation, he er’s standpoint. At Wisconsin, he share with Gard about sideline still wears his heart on his sleeve had three different head coach­ demeanor for a first-timer? and a W on his letter jacket. “I’m es: , and “There’s no way in the world always going to be biased that . that I could sit,” Moore said. “So way,” he said. “That’s my alma Jackson left for the NBA the I was either in my Bo Ryan kneel mater. I’m very proud of that pro­ summer before his senior year. (or catcher’s crouch) or I was gram.” Van Gundy took over and was standing up chirping at the offi­ And he’s not about to hide the given a five-year deal, though the cials. fact that he’s pulling for Gard. administration may have viewed “As an assistant, you have to “It’s a matter of supporting him,” him as an interim. That was the be disciplined and you have to Moore said, “and letting him perception. stay out of the way of the head know I’m here for him if he needs Van Gundy was fired after a 13­ coach. But when I became one, I anything.” The Badger Way. 14 season, 7-11 in the Big Ten. became pretty demonstrative on On Monday, Gard reached out “Stu was only here for two the sidelines. to Moore to fill a need. He of­ years and the program wasn’t as “You’ve got to stay after the of­ fered him a chance to join his strong it is now ― it just wasn’t ficials. With my size (6-6), I could staff as the third assistant. Moore ready for that type of transition,” be pretty intimidating with those accepted. Like everyone knew Moore said. “That’s not to say guys and it helped me get a cou­ that he would. ■ Stan wasn’t a good coach.” DAVID STLUKA Moore praised Van Gundy, who’s now in his 10th year as an NBA head coach. “But the program wasn’t ready for that transition,” he reiterat­ ed. “We weren’t stable enough. There wasn’t enough prior suc­ cess. It just wasn’t ready. The program is ready now.” So what does Gard have to do with this 7-5 team to prove to athletic director Barry Alvarez that he’s deserving of the head coaching job on a permanent basis? Beyond winning, that is. “Right now,” said Moore who spent five years at UIC, “Greg has to show Coach Alvarez and

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 3 OF 3 THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY ■ VOICE OF THE BADGERS Badgers looking back, looking ahead DAVID STLUKA

aving had a decent view of football program in order, and the Badgers’ fourth setback in their several coaching changes Badgers enjoyed a very success­ final five games. Hwith the Badgers, it might ful run on his watch. In March of 2001, athletic di­ be safe to say there is no such On Nov. 30, 2000, the day rector made a tough thing as perfect timing. after his Badgers defeated Mary­ call and decided there would be At the very least, finding a per­ land in an overtime thriller at the a change at the top of the basket­ fect time for a transition seems Bradley Center in Milwaukee, ball program. In some corners, next to impossible. Here, or any­ announced his emotions were on edge, but Rich­ where else. retirement, effective immediate­ ter did what he thought was best. When Barry Alvarez announced ly. Starting with the fourth game As they say, the rest is history. he would coach a final season, of the season, And now, there is transition at he also named Bret Bielema to ran the show. Under the cir­ an imperfect time. replace him. As the head foot­ cumstances, he ran it well. As In the last 14-plus years, Bad­ ball coach and athletic director, a matter of fact, Soderberg led gers fans have enjoyed a run of Alvarez’s move seemed to make Wisconsin to a better Big Ten success few would have dared to sense. At least in the moment. record (9-7) than Bennett’s Final dream. Players at this school be­ However, University of Wisconsin Four team produced the previous came really good at cutting down policy does not allow for such a season (8-8). nets and collecting trophies. process. Additionally, there was Unfortunately, from this observ­ In addition to the champion­ tension with much of the coach­ er’s seat, Soderberg’s group sim­ ships and the back-to-back Final ing staff all season, as assistants ply ran out of gas and became Fours, there are so many other and their families faced an un­ the victim of an upset that helps moments that are fun to talk certain future. define March Madness. The 50­ about. Which is exactly what Bo Fortunately, Bielema kept the 49 loss to Georgia State was the Ryan did for a portion of his final

THE VOICE PAGE 1 OF 2 THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY ■ VOICE OF THE BADGERS

radio show the night before last recalled how good Leuer became gram, have talked about Gard’s week’s game with Texas A&M as a Badger, and how well he is value to the Badgers. It is price­ Corpus Christi. playing in the NBA. less. Scouting reports, recruiting, In 2002, the Badgers won at It was much the same type of player development, scheduling Indiana for the first time since conversation regarding Devin and summer camps ― those are 1977. Harris, who should be on any­ just a few of the areas where the On January 5, 2005, Zach Mor­ one’s short list of greatest players Interim Head Coach excels. ley was red hot from the 3-point in school history. Gard will tell you he has line, helping the Badgers defeat learned so much from Ryan. At Purdue in West Lafayette for the the same time, Gard knows he first time since the Nixon Admin­ I HOPE ALL BADGERS FANS has to be his own man, and he istration. CAN APPRECIATE THE PAST has to coach the team his way. The former coach also talked SUCCESS ON THE BASKET­ Fans have asked ‘What will be about some of those big shots in BALL COURT. AT THE SAME different?’ The beauty for us ― the closing seconds ― the Bad­ TIME, IT IS OUR TURN TO and perhaps a strategic advan­ gers have had several with that tage for Gard ― is very few of us clutch gene, right? Players such EMBRACE CHANGE. know. as Traevon Jackson, Kam Taylor, Perhaps there is no perfect Freddie Owens, Alando Tucker, There are so many more mem­ time for transition, but as Alvarez Brian Butch and Trevon Hughes, ories, from lights-out performanc­ says, “Embrace change.” Greg to name a few. es on the floor to corny jokes on Gard has the makeup to do just In the Nicholas-Johnson Pavil­ the buses and planes. that. So does his excellent staff. I ion (the practice facility), there are That is how I choose to look at would like to believe the players large banners with action photos the last 14-plus years. do as well. of the current men’s and women’s And now we move on. I hope all Badgers fans can basketball players. Last week on It is exciting to see Greg Gard appreciate the past success on Ryan’s show, he remembered and get his opportunity. Anyone near the basketball court. At the same chuckled at how young Jon Leuer the program, and more impor­ time, it is our turn to embrace looked as a freshman. He then tantly, those who are in the pro­ change. ■ BOB CAMPBELL

THE VOICE PAGE 2 OF 2 SPOTLIGHT: STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Congratulations to UW’s Student-Athletes of the Month for December. These honorees have been recog­ nized ― via nominations from Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members, coaches, advisors and sport administrators ― for the accomplishments in athletics, academics, on campus and in the community.

EDDIE WITTCHOW SENIOR ■ MEN’S HOCKEY One of the nicest people you could ever meet off the ice, Eddie Wittchow can be a beast when he laces up his skates The 6-foot-4 senior has been known to enliven the with his bone-crushing hits. A defenseman and team co-captain, Wit­ tchow has been a steadying influence for an improving Wisconsin men’s hockey team this season. A 2011 sixth-round draft pick of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, Wittchow has shown his value off the ice, taking time to give back in various ways. He’s volunteered with the Wisconsin Youth Company After School Program and made appearances in videos supporting the “It’s On Us” campaign and the Badgers’ efforts to honor Veterans Day. He’s also helped out with the Shooting Down Cancer fundraiser orchestrated by men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan and the Badgers Give Back program’s Great Apple Crunch. Wittchow has been a stalwart in the classroom, as well. The economics major is already a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Growing up in Burnsville, Minnesota, Wittchow comes from an athletic family. His DAVID STLUKA sister, Emma, is a sophomore defenseman for Minnesota State and he has had family members compete in soccer and swimming at Wisconsin. He’s also had family mem­ bers swim at UW-Eau Claire and play football at Tulane.

CHASE KINNEY JUNIOR ■ WOMEN’S SWIMMING Quickly becoming an invaluable performer for women’s swimming team, the contribu­ tions of Chase Kinney have been felt in more places than just the pool this season. An All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honoree last season, Kinney contributed to UW teams that broke both Big Ten records in both the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay. A standout individual swimmer, as well, Kinney recently won the 50 freestyle title at the prestigious Texas Invitational earlier this month. Kinney already has qualified for the NCAA championships in March. Perhaps her most well-rounded performance of the season came in Wisconsin’s opener against rival Minnesota. The junior wasted no time getting her year off to an impressive start, winning four events and helping the Badgers upset the reigning Big Ten champions. Kinney won the 50 free, the 100 free and also played major roles in UW winning the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Majoring in biology, Kinney is a standout student and takes pride in her involvement on campus and in the community. Kinney is a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative and has stepped up as a leader on the team this season, pushing her teammates to get involved in hopes of securing a Badger Challenge win this year. She was a 2013-14 CSCAA First Team Scholar All-American and was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree last season. DAVID STLUKA A native of Canton, Ohio, Kinney comes from an athletic family. Her father, Tom, played volleyball at Earlham College, while her mother, Ann, competed in track and cross country at Akron. She has three siblings.

SPOTLIGHT: STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH PAGE 1 OF 1 ASK THE BADGERS

WHEN YOU WERE A KID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN? YOU GREW UP? JACK MCLAUGHLIN GREG ANDERSON DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA

WILL JOHNSON TIONNA WILLIAMS CAITLYN CLEM SEAN MALONEY Freshman ■ Men’s Hockey Freshman ■ Volleyball Sophomore ■ Women’s Soccer Junior ■ Men’s Swimming

“I wanted to be an “I wanted to be “My mom is the “When I was grow­ astronaut. I always pediatric oncologist vice president of ing up my future thought it would be when I was young­ a company called aspirations always cool to visit space. er. I really love kids Manpower, which is centered around I heard statis­ and I wanted to be a company that sells the idea of one day tics that not many able to help them. employment strate­ being a professional people get to go to I wanted to make gies to major corpo­ athlete. In summer space and I said I them smile and rations. So my mom I’d dream of being wanted be that one laugh while going would interview on the Australian person. I told my through a tough people all the time. cricket team. Over parents I wanted to time in their lives. When I was growing winter I’d imagine be an astronaut, so The movie Patch up, she would make being a football su­ in seventh grade I Adams really in­ me practice my perstar. Every four enrolled in a college spired me, too.” strong handshake, years I’d aspire to class at a local city posture and people Olympic glory. Even college right by my skills. So after I got when I was younger house because that really good at that, the idea of playing was the only way I I thought I could the sports I loved could take astron­ be the President of for a living seemed omy. I think I got a the United States… far more fun than 25 percent in that ‘Clem for President the notion of having class. Now the plan 2016!’” to go get a real job.” is to be a hockey player, and then an orthopedic sur­ geon.” BADGERING

JOHNNY JIMENEZ

Johnny Jimenez, a sophomore from St. Charles, Illinois, is in his second ALL ABOUT JOHNNY year as the Badgers’ primary starter at 125 pounds. Jimenez has an 8-6 Year: Sophomore record on the season and finished second at the Michigan State Open Height / Weight: 5-5 / 125 and the Navy Classic. He was a four-time state champion for Marmion Hometown: St. Charles, Ill. Academy and finished his high school career with a 158-10 record. High School: Marmion Academy Why did you choose Wisconsin? QUICK Qs WITH JOHNNY “I chose Wisconsin based off of the coaching staff initially be­ If you had to be locked in a room with a teammate for a day, who would it be? cause I thought they were the right guys to lead me toward a “I would choose the Cleave (Luke Rowh). national championship and they are really family-supportive. We wouldn’t be in there for an entire day I liked what they were building with the program and I also though because it would probably take liked the team atmosphere. I thought the way they competed us 13 minutes to figure out a way out.” together and hung out with each other outside of the room Hidden talent? showed a lot of camaraderie, along with the academics, great “I think I have a hidden talent of acting. I was a great LeFou (from Beauty and

SCROLL campus, good people and good cheese. It’s a great school.” the Beast) in high school. If you throw You were put in the lineup instead of taking a redshirt as a me up on stage, I’m going to be the freshman. Was that intimidating? best one there.” “It wasn’t too scary. I wanted to be in the lineup right away be­ Guilty pleasure song? cause I wasn’t big on redshirting. I was more excited. Wrestling “I’m not ashamed of any song that I like, but people would probably think around with Ryan Taylor helped a lot and he helped kind of it’s weird that I like ‘If I Were a Boy’ by pave the way for me. I had a lot of help from the upperclass­ Beyoncé. It gets me going. Gives me the men showing me the way and showing me what kind of things chills, right down the spine.” I needed to do to get to the next level. Of course, Barry (Davis) Social media go-to? helps me with everything every single day. He’s my guy there “Definitely Twitter. I use it the most. and helps me all the time.” Follow me @JohnnyWesley96.”

With a year under your belt, do you feel more confident in this season? “Yeah, I feel a lot more confident and more comfortable as well. I got to know a lot of the guys a lot better now being in my second year. Having that freshman class underneath kind of put me in more of a leadership role and that made me feel more confident on the mat, as well.”

What has been the best match of your career so far? “I don’t think I’ve had a best match yet. I’m still working toward that. I have high expectations of myself. I’m still working toward that because Barry always says, ‘You don’t have a lot of per- fect matches,’ but whatever I can do to get toward that perfect match, I’m going to do. I’ve actually had a lot of close ones. In the first couple of tournaments this season, I had close ones in the semifinals. I took second in both of the first tournaments, so I didn’t finish how I wanted, but I had close matches. I plan to build on those.”

What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of being a college wrestler? “I would say the most challenging part is the sacrifices. Our sport’s season is longer than anyone’s; our season goes from October to the end of March. Within those months you have to give up your social life, you’re cutting weight, which a lot of kids my age are not used to at all, and competing while you’re on the weight cut is definitely tough to do. Having all those sac- rifices definitely makes wrestling a tough sport but the grind pays off in the end. The most rewarding part is when you win your match and it’s a close, tough one and you’re dying at the end, then you know that all the work you put in, the sacrifices you made and the meals you missed all just paid enough in that single match. I feel that carrying that mental attitude from wrestling into the classroom and everyday life gives me and edge on everyone.” ■ DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA GREG ANDERSON

ike Krzyzewski, , , Bob “Without great communication, you have the trust Knight, , Nick Saban and Tom to build a strong relationship. And without strong re­ MCoughlin are in Greg Gard’s office. All at lationships, you can’t have a strong team. once. They are among the authors on his bookshelf. “Most teams break down because of poor commu­ “I like to look at other people’s ideas,” said Wis­ nication.” consin’s interim head basketball coach. “Coaching Gard put the book down and admitted that he used and leadership have been the two things that have to struggle as a communicator. piqued my interest.” “It hasn’t always been my strong suit,” he said. “I Gard is a fan of Jon Gordon’s books, such as The think I’ve grown in that over the last 25 years; every Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and little bit of experience and knowledge has helped me Team with Positive Energy and The Positive Dog: A understand how vital that is. Story About the Power of Positivity. “What’s important is to figure out how to push ev­ He’s currently reading You Win in the Locker Room erybody’s buttons and what motivates and drives First: The 7 C’s to Build a Winning Team in Business, people ― how you can get everyone to come togeth­ Sports and Life, co-authored by Gordon and former er for the common cause. Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith. “When you have really good relationships with peo­ Gard pulled the book out of his briefcase. One of ple, when they know you care about them, you can those C’s is Communication, and Gard turned to the really push them and get them out of their comfort chapter where he had marked some thoughts with a zone, and that’s how you grow as a team.” yellow highlighter. That’s his plan with this 7-5 Wisconsin team that “Communication is the foundation of every great will return to action Wednesday against Green Bay relationship. Communication builds trust. Trust gen­ without Bo Ryan, who has retired and turned over erates commitment. Commitment fosters teamwork. the reins to his loyal assistant for 23 years. And teamwork delivers results. “On the floor,” Gard said, “we have a lot of things

GARDO'S FINE: GREG GARD STEPS UP AS INTERIM HEAD COACH PAGE 2 OF 8 that we need to improve upon. Some of it is due to something from all of these books, I’d be a mess. youthfulness and the new leadership in the locker “So I’ll look through them and if I see something, room. I’ll go ‘Yeah that makes sense. I like that.’ And I’ll “We’re still playing musical chairs as far as, use a highlighter to pull out key points every now ‘Where’s your seat on the bus?’ We’ve got to get peo­ and then.” ple in the right seat and continue to move forward.” Gard’s philosophy has more personal roots. Although he’s in the driv­ “I’ve always relied on gut er’s seat for the first time, instincts,” he said, “and Gard has a strong sense of “THERE’S NO MAGIC WAND OR SILVER BULLET the way I feel.” his role. TO THIS,” GARD SAID. “IT’S ABOUT STAYING TRUE On one of his book­ “There’s no magic wand “ shelves is a jar of reduced TO WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. or silver bullet to this. It’s fat peanut butter. about staying true to who BE SOUND IN YOUR PLAN. BE FIRM IN YOUR “That’s for late days in you are and what you be­ PRINCIPLES. BE FLEXIBLE IN YOUR APPROACH.” the office,” he explained. lieve in. Be sound in your There had been a loaf of plan. Be firm in your principles. Be flexible in your bread on the shelf with the peanut butter. But it had approach. turned to mold. “Do what you know and know what you do, and “A lot of days,” Gard said of the long hours, “you you’re going to be fine.” forget to eat.” The 45-year-old Gard learned that through trial There will be a lot of those days ahead. and error; not from the books in his office. “Right now, I’ve got a lot of things flying at me― “I’m really more of a book collector ― I’ve got a lot and that’s good, that’s a positive,” Gard said excited­ of unread books,” confided Gard. “If I tried to take ly. “Talk about juices flowing, it has been awesome.” DAVID STLUKA

GARDO'S FINE: GREG GARD STEPS UP AS INTERIM HEAD COACH PAGE 3 OF 8 ■ ■ ■ ■ “I wanted to get that across to them how appre­ ne of the first things Gard did after taking over ciative I was, how I didn’t take them for granted and as Wisconsin’s interim head coach was call how important they are moving forward. We’re all in Oa meeting of his Kohl Center office staff; the this together and they’ll play a vital role.” unsung members of the organization. That’s obviously true of his two assistants, Gary That includes Kat Vosters, director of basketball Close and . Gard is considering adding operations; her assistant, Marc VandeWettering; vid­ a third coach to the staff. But, for now, he will rely eo coordinator A.J. Handel; program assistant Peg heavily on Close and Paris. Cullen and booster club contact Laura Strang. “I wouldn’t be here,” he told them, “without you “I wanted to make sure they understood how im­ guys standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me.” portant they were to this program and I thanked This is Close’s 13th season on the UW staff and them for all that they had done,” Gard said. “I’m Paris’ sixth. a product of a whole bunch of people ― players, “I’m going to demand,” Gard said, “and require a coaching staff and office staff― people that are all lot out of them.” working together for the greater good. Both are ready for the increased workload. Both have a whatever-it-takes attitude. DAVID STLUKA “One of the advantages we’ve had is that we’ve been together for a fairly long time,” Close said. “That doesn’t happen a lot at this level. Usually guys are moving on.” Added Paris, “There are places where maybe the guys (the assistants) don’t have a great relationship or don’t want to be team player.” That’s not the case with this trio. In fact, Gard thought enough of a newspaper story ― document­ ing how well the assistants meshed together ― to have it framed for his office. “We’re all excited about the situation and recog­ nize what that means to us as far as distributing some other responsibilities that have to be done in order to be successful,” Paris said. “You can ask people here to do those things and no one cares. They’ll just do it. “A big part of that is that we know each other, we like each other and we trust each other.” Paris and Close have the utmost confidence in Gard’s ability to make the transition to lead voice. “The foundation of what we’ve always done,” Close said, “I don’t think is going to change. There will just be a different voice. He’s paid his dues; he’s pre­ pared himself well and he’ll do a great job.” It goes back to the core values and the 7 C’s that Gordon and Smith wrote about in their book: Cul­ ture, Contagious, Consistent, Communication, Con­ nection, Caring and Commitment. “Any time you’re making a transition in such a short amount of time, you have to communicate,” Paris said. “Guys have to communicate how they

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DAVID STLUKA

Greg's brother, Jeff (left), is the current head coach at UW-Platteville. feel, especially our elder statesmen.” That would be juniors Nigel Hayes and , the only returning starters. “THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE’VE ALWAYS DONE,” “They have to communicate what they’re thinking CLOSE SAID, “I DON’T THINK IS GOING TO CHANGE. THERE WILL JUST “ BE A DIFFERENT VOICE.” and what the pulse of the team is,” Paris went on. “And we need to communicate to them any sort of changes we’re thinking about making. “You coach the same way in a (Big Ten) game “We also need to communicate what a guy’s role as you would in one of these. Obviously, you might is and our vision for him compared to what it might say different things and keep your language a little have been before. And we have to communicate cleaner. But you develop a style.” what our expectations are.” Gard’s resume is not totally devoid of head coach Close has a road map from his earlier days as a experience. As a UW-Platteville student, he coached high school head coach. the junior varsity at Southwestern High School in “Now, it’s your decision,” said Close, who ran his Hazel Green. own program at Regina High in Iowa City. “You can “I also had JV girls’ softball,” he was quick to add. take all the input you want, but Greg is going to have Coaching his son’s youth team was a blast, too. to make the final call. That’s a lot different. “You’re trying to get them to be the best team that “But I think it’s the fun part. As an assistant coach, they can be within the structure and how you want you’re always thinking, ‘What would I have done to play,” said Gard, who acknowledged with a grin, there (in that situation)?’ Now, you get a chance to “I held fifth and sixth graders accountable. They love do that and I think that’s exciting. playing and it was a great experience that I wouldn’t “Coaching is coaching,” Close stressed. “It doesn’t trade for anything in the world. matter what level you’re at. I have coached my son “I’ve been fortunate to have such a great family Sam’s youth team. Greg has coached his son Isaac’s behind me.” team. ■ ■ ■ ■

GARDO'S FINE: GREG GARD STEPS UP AS INTERIM HEAD COACH PAGE 5 OF 8 ast week, the “family” was in front of him. “That’s the heartbeat of this program, the players. That would be his UW family. While stand­ Those are the guys who put the blood, sweat and Ling in front of the players, Gard talked to them tears on the floor when this program wasn’t where from the perspective of their individual rungs on the maybe it is (today).” ladder. Also weighing in with their support have been play­ “I happen to be at the top of the ladder and I have ers with direct ties to Gard. to take another step up,” he “He was the point man, said. “Everybody below me, the lead guy in recruiting whether you’re a freshman JOE KRABBENHOFT: me,” said Joe Krabbenhoft, or fifth-year senior Jordan “THERE’S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND I WOULDN’T BE who appeared in 136 games Smith, have to take a step and made 70 starts at Wis­ WHERE I’M AT IF IT WASN’T“ FOR COACH GARD ― up. consin. As a senior in 2009, BOTH TEACHING ME AND FROM JUST WATCHING “And if there’s someone he was a team captain. above you on the ladder, give HIM OPERATE EVERY DAY AS A COACH.” “He didn’t just recruit them a boost, give them a me. He recruited my mom, push. And if there’s someone below you, grab them my dad, even my brother and sisters. To this day, it and pull them up one more step. wasn’t just about me, it was the family relationship. “Push them. That can be literally ― how we “And he started building those relationships push each other on the floor. Or that can be right away when I was a sophomore in high figuratively in terms of motivation and things school (at Roosevelt in Sioux Falls, South Da- that happen in the locker room.” kota). He was just so sincere. You knew it Gard warned them that it’s easy to fall off was coming from his heart. the ladder. After a short-lived professional career over- “I’m trying to get them to understand that seas, Krabbenhoft served one season as we’re all in this together. Our apple cart just Wisconsin’s video coordinator be- got turned upside down (with Ryan’s fore taking an assistant’s job at abrupt retirement). But we’re all South Dakota State in 2013. here for you. “Having been around dif- “My door will always be open. ferent coaches and different My phone is always on, 24/7. ways of doing things,” he They can get me any time said, “I haven’t yet been and they’re always wel- around a guy who can pre- come to come in and pare a team (for an op- talk. I need to have ponent) as well as Coach that type of commu- Gard can.” nication.” Krabbenhoft doesn’t Since last week anticipate any changes in Gard has heard Gard now that he has the from many former interim title. UW players ― span- “He won’t divert from

ning multiple eras. DAVID STLUKA who he is,” he said. “He “I’ve gotten calls, won’t try to be somebody e-mails and texts from he’s not. It works; he has players all the way back as far as proven it works. He doesn’t you can remember,” he said. “They need to change.” were from different generations and Gard also prepared Krab- eras that had no connection with me benhoft for the vagaries of the whatsoever. coaching profession.

GARDO'S FINE: GREG GARD STEPS UP AS INTERIM HEAD COACH PAGE 6 OF 8 Sharif Chambliss can relate to Krabbenhoft’s coaching narrative. After three years at Penn State, he transferred to Wisconsin, endured an ACL injury and helped lead the Badgers to the 2005 Elite Eight before embark­ ing on a career as a coach. Chambliss, like Krabbenhoft, was a UW video co­ ordinator. He also had an apprenticeship as an as­ sistant at UW-Platteville, whose head coach is Jeff Gard ― Greg’s younger brother. “Greg Gard has had a huge impact on not just my coaching career but my life as a mentor,” said Cham­ bliss, a fourth-year assistant at Milwaukee. “I’m the other brother in the Gard family.” It’s not as funny as you think. The Gards are wel­ coming that way. Outsiders quickly become insiders. Chambliss used to go turkey and pheasant hunting with Greg and his late father, Glen Gard. “If I’ve had any questions as far as my career path,” said Chambliss, a Racine native, “or any questions about recruiting, Greg helped me with all of that. He has always been a good listener.” That’s something the Brothers Gard share, he not­ ed, along with their attention to detail. “They probably got that from their mom and dad,” Chambliss said. “Greg is always going to dig deeper for information. That’s why he’s so detailed present­ ing scouting reports or a profile on a recruit.” Former UW guard Ben Brust came under Gard’s guidance as a true freshman in 2010-11. “I got to see the scout team side my first year,” said Brust, who appeared in only 15 games and played a total of 45 minutes that season. “I got to work with Coach Gard and see what he was all about. “He may not have been a head coach for the past 22 years but in doing those scouting reports and “For a long time, I thought coaching was what I putting the scout team together, you can tell that he wanted to do,” Krabbenhoft said. “But, then, you took it personal. hear stories about how much time you are away from “It’s kind of the game inside the game at practice. your family and how tough it can be on them. It didn’t matter what style they were playing (as an “But then I looked at Coach Gard and saw how opponent), he’d really coach us and show us what he’s able to balance his family with coaching and do we needed to do to attack.” a good job at both. I learned a lot from him in the That was Brust’s springboard into the rotation. sense about what’s important. He started his final 73 games and led the team in “There’s no doubt in my mind I wouldn’t be where scoring during the 2012-11 season. He was the sec­ I’m at if it wasn’t for Coach Gard ― both teaching me ond-leading scorer on the 2014 Final Four team. and from just watching him operate every day as a “Coach Ryan is a proven winner,” Brust said. “Be­ coach.” ing around Coach Ryan as long as Coach Gard has

GARDO'S FINE: GREG GARD STEPS UP AS INTERIM HEAD COACH PAGE 7 OF 8 been, being around winning that much, you learn ebraska’s zany head coach, , text- what it takes to be a winner. ed Gard last week. To paraphrase, he defined “He has all the tools. He has the knowledge and Nthe 14-team Big Ten as “12 Hall of Fame he has moxie. He has gone through so much as a coaches along with Gardo and Miles.” person (with the death of his father); the ups and In so many words, he closed it, ‘Welcome to the downs, it has prepped him for this transition.” league, buddy.” Brust listed Gard’s strength, “Staying in the mo­ It drew the expected response. ment. Focusing on what’s important. Focusing on “I laughed out loud,” Gard said with a big smile. the task at hand and not getting overwhelmed. I “It was typical Tim.” think he’s pretty comfortable with where he’s at.” Friends and foes alike know him as Gardo. And now he’s looking forward to seeing what Gard Is he still OK with UW players referencing him that can do with this team, especially after watching way? Gard’s press conference last week. “I’m not going to get wound up on whether they call “He talked about being that steady boat,” he said. me Greg, Coach Gard, or Gardo,” he said. “That’s “The one that is going straight, not rocking or going not going to be the defining moment.” up and down or sideways. He’s that steady figure. Gard was quizzed on a radio show on whether he “I saw it for the four years that I was around him. would go with a tie or not (he will); kneel, pace or He’s not just spieling stuff out at the press confer­ sit on the sideline (he’ll do all of the above); and the ence. He’s living it and believing in it. It was really over-under on when he draws his first technical foul. cool seeing that smile on his face. “The referee,” Gard said, “is going to have to have “This is something wanted; he wanted to be a head a real bad day to T-up a fun-loving guy like me.” coach and he’s had some opportunities to maybe go The smile reappeared as he set the record straight. different routes.” “I will consume myself with the game,” he prom­ Brust, for now, has hung up the sneakers. He’s ised, “and what our players are doing.” entering the business world with an open mind. But Yes, there is much to learn about Gard, the interim he’s planning on coming to Madison for the Jan. 9 head coach. And there’s nothing at all. Maryland game at the Kohl Center. “I’m personally happy,” Brust said, “that Coach “Maybe I’ll head up early,” he said, “so I can help Gard has got a chance here to kind of show the world out the scout team.” what he’s got.” ■ ■ ■ ■ He’s not alone. DAVID STLUKA

GARDO'S FINE: GREG GARD STEPS UP AS INTERIM HEAD COACH PAGE 8 OF 8 DAVID STLUKA

On top of the mountain? Where does Bo Ryan fit among list of Badgers’ best coaches? BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

hen Bo Ryan retired as Wisconsin men’s powerhouse, winning titles in basketball coach on Dec. 15, he opened 1993, ’98 and ’99 and Rose Bowls after all three of Wthe door to a lot of questions, but there’s those seasons. Now the Wisconsin athletic director, one you may not have entertained: he remains the only Big Ten coach to win consecu­ Is he the best Badgers coach in school history, re­ tive Rose Bowls (1999 and 2000). He is 9-4 in bowl gardless of sport? games, and that .692 winning percentage ranks Everyone has their own criteria and conclusions, second among coaches with more than 10 bowl ap­ but it seems clear that Ryan is in that conversation pearances. He was inducted into the College Foot­ along with Barry Alvarez, Bob Johnson, Ed Nutty­ ball Hall of Fame in 2010. combe, Peter Tegen and John Walsh. Who would you choose? Let’s run down the candi­ JOHNSON dates and the highlights of their resumes. He ushered the men’s hockey program from ir­ ALVAREZ relevance to internation­ He’s the all-time win­ al prominence during ningest football coach a tenure that ran from in Wisconsin history at 1966-82. He guided the 119-74-5 (.614). During Badgers to three NCAA his tenure from 1990­ titles (1973, ’77 and ’81) 2005 he transformed before moving on to the the Badgers from a na­ NHL. There he led Calgary to the Stanley Cup Final in tional laughingstock to a 1986 and Pittsburgh to the Cup title in 1991. In the

ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN: BADGERS' BEST COACHES PAGE 1 OF 2 process, he became the only coach to win a NCAA the Year four times. In a startling display of consis­ championship and the Stanley Cup. In addition to tency, Wisconsin qualified for the NCAA tournament coaching Team USA in the 1976 Winter Olympics, in each of his 14 full seasons. In all, the Badgers he won 394 college games at Colorado College and reached the Sweet 16 seven times, the Elite Eight Wisconsin. His son, Mark, not only starred for the three times and the Final Four in 2014 and ’15. He fabled Miracle on Ice squad that won the gold medal has a career coaching record of 747-233 (.762) and in the 1980 Winter Olympics, he’s led the Wiscon­ was a 2015 finalist for the Naismith Memorial Bas­ sin women’s hockey program to four NCAA titles. ketball Hall of Fame. Bob Johnson, who died of brain cancer in August of 1991, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in TEGEN 1992. He led the Wisconsin women’s cross country NUTTYCOMBE and track and field pro­ He became the win­ gram to success on the ningest coach in Big Ten conference and national history, regardless of stage during his 30 years sport, from 1983-2013. as head coach. Under Of the 59 conference Tegen, the Badgers pro­ track titles won during duced 43 national cham­ that period ― indoor and pions, 249 All-Americans and 236 Big Ten individu­ outdoor ― his teams won al champions. He won two national titles in Madison 26 of them. He also was in cross country (1984 and ’85) and coached five voted Big Ten Coach of the Year a staggering 22 NCAA runner-up teams in track and cross country. times. His greatest feat is leading the Badgers to the In addition, UW won an astonishing 39 Big Ten ti­ NCAA indoor title in 2007. No other Big Ten school tles, a conference record, during Tegen’s tenure. A has won that championship, which dates back to five-time national cross country coach of the year 1965. Moreover, it’s an event that’s been dominated during his career, he was honored by the U.S. Track by warm-weather schools since the early 1980s. He & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as was inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross the namesake for its annual national coach of the Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. year award. There he joined his father, Charles, a high school coaching legend in Virginia, as the only father-son WALSH duo to be so honored. He was so revered and successful in the world RYAN of college boxing that the He’s the winningest NCAA trophy was named coach in Wisconsin for him. From 1934-60, men’s basketball histo­ he guided the Badgers to ry, compiling a 364-130 eight national team cham­ mark during a tenure pionships (1939, ’42, ’43,

DAVID STLUKA that started in 2001 and ’47, ’48, ’52, ’54 and ’56) spanned 14-plus sea­ and coached 31 boxers who won a total of 38 indi­ sons. His clubs were vidual NCAA crowns. The UW Field House regularly 172-68 (.717) in Big Ten had sellout crowds to watch his teams compete. He play ― the highest winning percentage in league his­ retired in 1960 after one of his best fighters, Charlie tory ― and never finished lower than fourth in the Mohr, died from head injuries sustained in a bout. final standings. The Badgers won seven league titles The NCAA subsequently discontinued its sponsor­ on his watch and he was named Big Ten Coach of ship of the sport. Walsh died in 2001.

ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN: BADGERS' BEST COACHES PAGE 2 OF 2

The Badgers Give Back initiative didn’t invent volunteerism for UW student-athletes, but the ever-growing program has certainly improved the process of connecting Badgers with those in need. It’s helped student-athletes ― more than 500 this year alone ― to make differences in the lives of others from all walks of life. It’s also left a lasting impression on the volunteers themselves. GREG ANDERSON

he impact Wisconsin student-athletes have on it Jackie Davenport, the newly-installed Director of our world can be measured in a multitude of Community Relations for Wisconsin Athletics, whose Tways. small basement office at Kellner Hall belies the size Some are obvious, like stat sheets, headlines and of her mission and ambition. highlight videos. “We’re the outreach arm of Wisconsin Athletics,” Some are more subtle, like budget items and tick­ she said. “The whole purpose of Badgers Give Back et prices. is to give back to the community that’s given so rich­ Some dredge deeper, like grade-point averages ly to us.” and Academic Performance Rates. Davenport, who assumed the newly-created role Then there are those impressions, largely unseen, in August, said putting down strong roots in Madison that might be the most impactful of all. and Dane County is one of the initial goals, but she They happen on a daily basis. They occur at hos­ doesn’t want to stop there. pitals, senior centers, food pantries and elementary “It’s expanding it and saying, ‘OK, now that we’ve schools. They involve the sick, the frightened, the done really well at what we do here, how can we needy, the lonely and the disabled. expand that to the state of Wisconsin?’” she said. Badgers Give Back has become such a phenom­ “Then how can we expand that to Badger Nation? enon in three-plus years that approximately 70 per­ Then how can we expand that globally?” cent of student-athletes at Wisconsin are involved An answer to that last question will come to life in the volunteer initiative. Some are so smitten by when the Wisconsin football team takes up tempo­ the experience that they build their class schedules rary residence in San Diego, California, for the Hol­ to avoid conflicts. Some are so involved that they iday Bowl on Dec. 30. In the midst of preparing to spend more than 100 hours a year selflessly giving play USC, Badgers players will join former teammate of themselves to the cause. and current NFL running back Melvin Gordon at an Most don’t wait to be asked. They just call or vis­ area food bank on Dec. 29. That will come on the

BADGERS GIVE BACK: A CULTURE OF GIVING PAGE 2 OF 6 “IT MAKES YOU WANT TO OPEN YOUR HEART TO THOSE KINDS OF PEOPLE AND SEE HOW MUCH THEY’VE BEEN THROUGH,”“ RUMPEL SAID. “IT MAKES YOU BECOME A STRONG PERSON. IT MAKES YOU UNDERSTAND YOU CAN’T TAKE ANY DAY FOR GRANTED.” heels of Wisconsin Athletic Department staffers vis­ iting a senior center on Christmas Day. Davenport said those two projects reflect her de­ sire to be more proactive. Prior to her hiring, she estimated that 80 percent of these activities came through parties reaching out to Wisconsin Athletics and the rest was outreach. “That’s been flipped,” Davenport said. According to Davenport, her office fields a half-doz­ en specific requests every day and she’s determined to accommodate them if possible. She has a squad­ ron of 11 student volunteers and access to two new passenger vans ― donated by Smart Motors ― to transport student-athletes to their assigned loca­ tions. Events are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Some functions are seasonal, like having stu­ dent-athletes gather at various locations to ring bells on behalf of the Salvation Army, appearing at a ben­ efit luncheon for the Empty Stocking Club or collect­ Davenport said BGB does 15 events on a week­ ing contributions for Toys for Tots. ly basis, which appears to distinguish it from other Some are periodic, like reading and interacting with comparable programs around the Big Ten Confer­ elementary school kids throughout the Madison area. ence. Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Northwest­ Some are weekly, year-round commitments. On ern are among those with volunteer initiatives, “but Mondays, student-athletes get together with a group I’m not sure they’re all as robust as ours,” she said. of developmentally disabled adults to sing karaoke. When Badgers Give Back was introduced in 2012­ On Tuesdays, it’s a visit to a food pantry. On Wednes­ 13, volunteer hours totaled 4,185 and community days, it’s Caleb’s Pitch at the American Family Chil­ appearances topped out at 145. dren’s Hospital, an activity designed to help young A year later saw a 94-percent increase in volunteer patients get comfortable with the equipment used hours to 8,124 and a 93-percent upgrade in appear­ by nurses and physicians. On Thursdays, it’s bingo ances to 280. at a senior center. On Fridays, it’s back to AFCH for With one semester in the books in 2015-16, vol­ room-to-room visits. unteer hours are at 4,304 (on track for a 34-percent During a visit to the senior center this year, mem­ bump from last school year) across 192 appearanc­ bers of the women’s swimming team learned that es in the community (on pace for a 35-percent in­ one of the residents attended UW, but had to cut crease). short her education at the advent of World War II. Lo Most of Davenport’s time is spent administering and behold, an honorary graduation ceremony was BGB, but she makes a point of going out with the staged earlier this month. student-athletes to gauge their experiences. She

BADGERS GIVE BACK: A CULTURE OF GIVING PAGE 3 OF 6 said seeing the humility ― the act of giving a relative wow, I made a huge impact there,’” she said. stranger their undivided attention ― “is pretty cool.” Gross said “everyone wins” in the exchange, but Justin Doherty, Wisconsin’s Senior Associate Ath­ added that many times the student-athlete leaves letic Director for External Relations, said Davenport wanting to be able to do more for the people they brings a unique skill set to the role as outreach co­ encounter. ordinator. In addition to a “high level of energy” and “You feel grateful to be welcomed into their home, “remarkable organizational skills” she has an unde­ their situation and their lives, but you almost feel niable passion. inadequate sometimes,” she said. “Her heart is in the right place,” he said of the Davenport said that approximately 490 stu­ Wisconsin alum. dent-athletes are involved Davenport said the job in the Badgers Give Back was perfect because it program this year. Out­ “YOU HAVE ACROSS THE BOARD ― ACROSS ALL “combined my love of side of a friendly competi­ SPORTS KIDS THAT ARE REALLY DEDICATED TO US­ sports and athletics with ― “ tion between the 23 sports my outside life of serving ING THEIR PLATFORM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND programs and an entry on people.” THEY GENUINELY CARE ABOUT IT AND GET INVOLVED one’s resume, the payout Davenport assumed a ENTHUSIASTICALLY,” GROSS SAID. is strictly emotional. No role that had been handled one is forced to volunteer by Kayla Gross, another Wisconsin alum who helped and there are no required hours to fill. establish Badgers Give Back and now helps coordi­ According to Davenport, the hope is to someday nate a program for the Oregon State football team solicit corporate sponsorships for Badgers Give called “Beyond Football.” Back, but right now Wisconsin Athletic officials are Who gets the most out of these volunteer moments? “waiting to grow the program first.” Davenport and Gross say it’s a benefit shared equally. Exposure to the BGB program resonates beyond Davenport said the impact for the families is im­ the walls of Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl mediate, while the student-athletes get theirs on the Center. Former men’s basketball player Duje Dukan, back end. now in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, recently “When they step back and think about it, it’s ‘Oh, helped give away new bikes to needy kids for Christ-

BADGERS GIVE BACK: A CULTURE OF GIVING PAGE 4 OF 6 mas, while former men’s hockey standout Joel Rum­ want to be a better person and how it makes you pel was front and center in a Toys for Tots campaign want to open your heart to those kinds of people and with the Allen (Texas) Americans with the East Coast see how much they’ve been through. It makes you Hockey League. become a strong person. It makes you understand Rumpel said one of the best lessons from BGB lies you can’t take any day for granted.” in being exposed to real-life moments that demand Chris Borland, an All-America linebacker for the a certain gentleness, empathy and respect. football team in 2013, was a weekly fixture at the “You learn how to be in those situations and han­ hospital where he saw the influence big-time sports dle it,” he said. “I can do it on my own now, and I can have on communities. look forward to doing it on my own.” “More personally, it made me feel more a part of Gross has a thick collection of favorite moments the university, Madison and the state,” he said. during her time with BGB, but one stands out and Davenport said her favorite memories typically it involves Rumpel. He and several teammates de­ happen during visits to children’s hospital. veloped a remarkable bond with Lucy Cunningham, “There are those times when you walk in and you a 5-year-old cancer patient with Down syndrome, can just see the sadness on the family’s face and on and her Reedsburg family. Ultimately Lucy became the kid’s face,” she said. “Then you walk in and they a loving focal point for both the men’s and women’s instantly light up.” hockey teams. Some Wisconsin student-athletes are more well- “That will always stay with me for sure,” Gross known than others, but it doesn’t matter in this par­ said. “It was pretty cool to be a part of.” ticular arena. Davenport told a story about a recent Rumpel, now in the San Jose Sharks farm system, hospital visit by members of the men’s rowing team. said he got more out of the four-year arrangement The first room they visited, they encountered a with BGB than anyone he came in contact with. 17-year-old boy just out of surgery. The rowers were “The Badgers Give Back program put more of my there for a couple minutes when one asked if the life in perspective,” he said. “There’s a lot more to boy would like a picture with the group. The boy life and being a good person than there is to just began to sob. playing hockey and being a student. “Thank you so much for stopping,” he said. “You “Just how it makes you feel, how it makes you just made my day.”

BADGERS GIVE BACK: A CULTURE OF GIVING PAGE 5 OF 6 Davenport said the rowers didn’t know how to react sin and their general character. You have across the because it was their first time visiting the hospital. board ― across all sports ― kids that are really ded­ “They walked in and they’re like, ‘We’re nobody,’” icated to using their platform to make a difference she related. “But to this kid, they made his day. It and they genuinely care about it and get involved was incredible.” enthusiastically. It’s been fun for Davenport to see how certain stu­ “Personally, it changed me in every sense of the dent-athletes engage people on the various visits. word. You really come to understand how grateful She identified Andrew Endicott with football, Mikayla you are and how much you can do to really impact Johnson with women’s hockey, Graham Mink with other people and how much need there is out there. men’s rowing and Ali Nageotte with women’s golf. You develop an appreciation of the human condi­ “They’re just naturals,” tion.” Davenport said. “They’re re­ Gross said she cherishes ally good at just going up to “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO GET THE KIDS ONBOARD. YOU the framed pictures she has people and talking to people. DIDN’T HAVE TO CALL TO THEM. THEY SHOW UP AND of her days with all the Wis­ It doesn’t matter if they’re old consin student-athletes. The ARE EAGER TO GET“ INVOLVED,” GROSS SAID. or they’re young or who you memories of their deeds in­ are. It doesn’t matter if you “IT’S ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING SPECIAL.” spire her. have tubes in you and can’t “You see that human side talk. They’ll engage with you.” and so much about who they are as people,” she Gross said the experience of overseeing the Bad­ said. “I wish that everyone was able to witness those gers Give Back program affected her in countless moments and get to know the student-athletes like ways. She wishes people could see what she saw that. from the Wisconsin student-athletes on her watch. “You didn’t have to get the kids onboard. You didn’t “It’s cultural there,” she said. have to call to them. They show up and are eager to How did it change her? get involved.” “Two ways,” Gross said. “One, particularly relevant The community give-back culture within the Wis­ to Wisconsin, is it really gave me an appreciation for consin Athletic Department is something to behold. the caliber of student-athlete that goes to Wiscon­ “It’s absolutely something special,” Gross said.

BADGERS GIVE BACK: A CULTURE OF GIVING PAGE 6 OF 6 INSIDE VOLLEYBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS BRENDAN MALONEY

Just wait until next season! Badgers return six starters, including three All-Americans, for 2016

he 2015 season was completed just a few days ago, but the TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE Wisconsin volleyball team has to be looking ahead to next Tyear already. After ending their run in the NCAA regional semifinals, the Badgers have a bright future for 2016. Wisconsin will return three All-Americans in 2016, including three-time honoree Lauren Carlini. The 6-foot-1 setter is the first three-time All-American in UW history and one of the best setters in the country. At the top of her list of goals as a Badger is to win a national championship and she’ll have one last chance at a title as a senior next season. Carlini was joined on the All-America squad by junior Haleigh SCROLL Nelson, who earned second-team honors, and freshman Tion­ na Williams, who was an honorable mention selection. Nelson and Williams made up the best middle blocking duo in the Big Ten this season, as both averaged 1.2-or-more blocks per set. Nelson also will go down in the record books after setting UW’s

single-season hitting percentage record at .422. Williams ranked INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS second on the Wisconsin squad this season, hitting .330. But that’s just the start of what Badgers fans can look forward SOCIAL to next season. MEDIA: Wisconsin returns 99.9 percent of its kills, including its top two outside hitters. Sophomore Lauryn Gillis led the team with 3.16 kills per set while sophomore Kelli Bates was close behind at 3.13 kills per set. UW returns 100 percent of its blocks, 82 percent of its service aces and 71 percent of its digs, even though it will have to re- place libero Taylor Morey, the only senior on this year’s team. The Badgers also add a strong recruiting class that includes the 2016 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year in M.E. Dodge and the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year in Molly Haggerty. After three straight NCAA regional appearances and a Big Ten championship in three years under head coach Kelly Sheffield, the Badgers are set to make a run at the national championship in 2016. ■ INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY KELLI GRASHEL ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS JACK MCLAUGHLIN

Badgers head into break on high note Team finds rhythm in big win over Northern Illinois last Wednesday

ith Big Ten games just around the corner, the Bad­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE gers knew there were adjustments to make in their last Wnon-conference game if they wanted to carry positive momentum headed into the conference season. Wisconsin did just that against Northern Illinois last Wednesday. “Obviously we wanted to go into Christmas break and finals feeling good about ourselves,” UW head coach Bobbie Kelsey said. “NIU is a scrappy team, they were down a player or two, but we’re down a player or two, as well, so everybody’s fighting injury and fatigue and all kinds of things. You’ve got to keep fighting

SCROLL and scrapping until you can get yourself back on track.” Wisconsin has been struggling to open the second half of its games, having been outscored in the third quarter in five of its pre­ vious seven outings. But not against the Huskies. That changed in a big way against the Huskies, with UW pouring in 36 points in the third quarter to build on their 35-33 halftime lead.

“I thought we broke out in that third quarter, which we’ve been INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS waiting to do,” Kelsey said. “We’ve had a history of coming out in the third quarter not very energetic and focused.” SOCIAL UW saw contributions from all across the board, with five play- MEDIA: ers finishing in double-figure scoring for the first time this season. The offensive efforts were led by two floor generals, as senior Dakota Whyte put up 13 points in 33 minutes and freshman Ro- ichelle Marble knocked in 12 points in 20 minutes. Wisconsin shook things up by having two point guards on the floor, and the adjustment created more quality scoring opportunities. INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM GREG ANDERSON

Holiday break offers chance for reflections Improved play looking back, improved health looking forward for Badgers

here are a lot of ways to define how the Wisconsin men’s TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE hockey team performed during the first half of the regular Tseason, but a couple methods stand out. The Badgers (4-7-5 overall, 1-2-1 in the Big Ten Conference) spent the first 16 games showing us they’re much improved from the struggles of last season. They already matched their win total from 2014-15, when they went 4-26-5. They rank among the best in the nation in terms of specials teams: 10th in penalty killing ratio (87.9 percent) and 15th in

SCROLL power play success (22.4 percent conversion rate). They own a road victory over the then-No. 1 team in the nation: a 3-1 decision over former Western Collegiate Hockey Associa­ tion rival North Dakota on Nov. 6. They have been in position to win almost every game. Wiscon­ sin has either led or been tied in the third period of 13 outings

and is 4-0-3 when leading after two. INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS The Badgers have done all this with eight freshmen and seven sophomores playing at least 10 games. One rookie, left winger SOCIAL Luke Kunin, paces the club in goals with six. Another, center MEDIA: Seamus Malone, has a share of the team lead with 10 assists. Wisconsin has done this playing a grueling non-conference schedule. Only one of the seven schools began the week with a losing overall record ― first-year NCAA Division I independent Arizona State is 5-10 ― and the group has a combined record of 64-41-18 (.593). The Badgers return to action Jan. 1 with an exhibition game with Trinity Western at the Kohl Center. They follow that up by playing 10 of their first 12 second-half games at home. Wisconsin associate head coach Luke Strand took a stab at identifying some of the key developments during the first half. Best player: “The best answer is that it’s more committee than an individual,” he said. “You have to be happy with the freshmen. I think (sophomore center) Cameron Hughes has been so … his consistency has been crazy good. Out the door I would have said senior defenseman and co-captain Eddie (Wittchow) and (senior defenseman and co-captain Kevin) Schulze because they were eating up so many minutes and (freshman goaltender Matt) Ju- rusik because of his place in the middle of it. Then there’s Kunin and Hughes pushing us forward here.” The player that has come along the furthest since training camp: “I think you’d have to say Jurusik,” Strand said. “That would be the easy get-out-of-jail-free answer. I think what (fresh- man defenseman) Patrick Sexton did, giving us depth back there was a really important piece. But when you really look at it I think we’ve found some depth because of the Malones, the Kunins, the guys that have played up and down the lineup a little bit. It doesn’t really matter who they’ve played with.” INSIDE WRESTLING BY KELLI GRASHEL ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Lucky 13: Jordan continues hot start Junior maintains perfect record through pair of road duals

or many, 13 is been considered an unlucky number. But TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE not for Wisconsin junior Isaac Jordan, who extended his F season-opening win streak to 13 consecutive matches with close wins on the Badgers’ recent road trips to Pittsburgh and Penn State. The No. 3-ranked Jordan kept his perfect record intact by narrowly defeating Cody Wierioch of Pittsburgh in a 165-pound match, 4-3. Jordan used a late takedown in the first period to go up 2-0. Wierioch answered with a takedown of his own in the second period but Jordan escaped for a 3-2 advantage going into the final period, a lead he didn’t relinquish. SCROLL Just one day later, trailing 4-2 with about 20 seconds left in the 165-pound match at Penn State, Jordan escaped Geno Morelli’s hold and popped to his feet. The Urbana, Ohio, product pro­ ceeded to aggressively lunge at Morelli before grabbing hold of his legs and forcing him to the ground to pick up a takedown as

time expired. The 5-4 result marked Jordan’s second-consecu­ INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS tive one-point win and kept his unblemished start alive. “We met and talked about how in the first period he needs to SOCIAL be a little more intense,” UW head coach Barry Davis said of Jor- MEDIA: dan. “That pace he picked up in the last 10 seconds; that’s the pace he needs to wrestle the first 10 seconds and over the whole seven minutes. “But he’s smart and he understands what we’re trying to do and can make the adjustments moving forward.” The Badgers dropped both duals on the road last weekend. UW faced seven ranked opponents at Penn State, including two top-ranked Nittany Lions at 141 pounds and 197 pounds.