Keady Vs. Bucky Have Said Kessel Kessel Kind of Neat

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Inside today D Badgers win a thriller Wisconsin’s Jordan Wilson (right) grabs a rebound in front of Indiana’s Jamey Chapman during the second overtime Thursday at the Big Ten Conference women’s basketball tournament in Indianapolis. Wilson sank two free throws with 12.6 seconds left to lift the Badgers to a 75-74 victory SSPORTPORTE-mail: [email protected] SS and a berth in today’s quarterfinals against Ohio State. Adam Mertz, sports editor 3D 252-6474 y Brewers 2D y WIAA basketball, hockey 4D +*Friday, March 4, 2005

Mike Lucas COLLEGE HOCKEY Kessel chooses Seniors Gophers

By Todd D. Milewski will reach The Capital Times One of the many rumors that surfaced during the months-long courting of Phil Kessel is that he finish line had no ties to the University of Wisconsin, so the Badgers didn’t have a leg up on any other suitors for the hockey phenom. together That apparently will hold true. Kessel has selected Minnesota Picture an oval, a track. Picture a over Wisconsin as his destination staggered start; from left to right, for next season, sources said from inside to outside, from Lane 1 Thursday night. He is scheduled to to Lane 5. Now, picture these five announce his decision today during seniors on the University of Wiscon- a 1:15 p.m. conference call. sin men’s basketball team: Mike Wil- Kessel, a 17-year-old forward kinson, Clayton Hanson, Andreas from Verona, has friends with ties Helmigk, Sharif Chambliss and Zach to the Badgers, including Gar- Morley. Although they will reach the MIKE MYERS/ASSOCIATED PRESS finish line together in Saturday’s final rett Suter, a de- home appearance at the Kohl Center, Purdue coach Gene Keady’s reign is nearing the end as he will step aside following this season after 25 years fenseman he has they will have each gotten there from leading the Boilermakers. known for years a different starting point. who has committed to play “It’s kind of a unique group from for the UW next that sense — guys took different season. But routes,” said Hanson, addressing the many, including big picture. “You look at this class Kessel’s father, and what we have at the end ... it’s Keady vs. Bucky have said Kessel Kessel kind of neat. Through it all, here we was not predis- are all working toward the same posed to choose the Badgers just thing.” UW coaches have learned from Purdue leader because he grew up in the shadow Wilkinson started in Lane 1 as a of the program and because his member of the 2000 recruiting class, By Rob Schultz lessons to use to help them rebuild the Wisconsin program parents were UW season-ticket which included Kyle Grusczynski, to the point where it could be mentioned in the same holders. Freddie Owens and Ricky Bower, a The Capital Times breath as Keady’s program at Purdue. Next season, the 6-foot, junior college transfer. Wilkinson “Coach Keady is certainly one of the best coaches in 185-pound center will become the redshirted as a freshman. t’s interesting to listen to the University of Wisconsin the business. The unfortunate part of it is he kept proving first Wisconsin native to play for Hanson started in Lane 2 as a coaches who spent the past 25 years locking horns it against us,” said Jackson, one of seven Wisconsin the Gophers. walk-on in the 2001 class, which also Iwith Purdue’s Gene Keady on the sidelines of the bas- coaches to face, and lose to, Keady, who is 33-12 lifetime And Minnesota’s already-high- included Helmigk, Devin Harris and ketball court. against the Badgers. octane offense will be getting the Neil Plank. Hanson played sparingly Some of the Badgers’ greatest victories Up Next Yoder lost the first 16 games he coached most coveted — and most talked- (36 minutes) as a freshman. have been against Keady’s Boilermakers, in- against Keady’s teams until finally getting that about — recruit of the season. Kes- Helmigk started in Lane 3, a little cluding the 2000 NCAA Tournament regional What: Purdue (7-19, big win in 1990 at the UW Field House. sel, who originally had six schools farther out than Hanson, after miss- final in Albuquerque that sent Wisconsin to the 3-12 Big Ten) at Wis- “A lot of teams have good players, but you on his consideration list, leads the ing his freshman season because of a Final Four. consin (19-7, 10-5) in never see those good players play up to their USA Hockey National Team Devel- knee injury. Helmigk, 25, was born Others ended dubious streaks, including a Big Ten Conference potential. They did for Gene,” said Yoder, who opment Program’s Under-18 team and raised in Klagenfurt, Austria. the Badgers’ 77-68 win at Mackey Arena earlier men’s basketball is a scout for the New York Knicks. with 36 goals and 66 points in 33 Chambliss started in Lane 4 after this season that was their first there since 1972 game Yoder added that everybody should look games this season. spending his first three Big Ten sea- or the 66-44 win in Madison in 1990 that When: Saturday, past Keady’s famous scowl because a special In an exhibition game against sons at Penn State. On April 10, stopped a 26-game, 13-year losing streak to the 1:30 p.m. person resides underneath it. He said Keady is Minnesota at Mariucci Arena on 2003, he announced that he was Boilermakers. Where: Kohl Center among the last of a special breed of coaches Feb. 19, Kessel had two goals and transferring to Wisconsin. Chambliss UW coach Bo Ryan and former UW who always tries to do what is best for the two assists. That game coincided TV: is a Cheesehead from Racine. coaches Dick Bennett, Stu Jackson and Steve WISC/Ch. 3 game. with his official visit to the school. Morley started in Lane 5 after two Yoder didn’t want to talk about any of those Inside: Edgewood “Most have their own opinions and don’t Kessel made an official visit to Wis- seasons at Indian Hills Community games as they reminisced about the retiring men fall in playoff care what anybody else thinks. But Gene was consin in late October. College (Ottumwa, Iowa). Some two Keady. He will coach his last regular-season opener. 3D the kind of guy who had an opinion but had an He is not believed to have made weeks after Chambliss made his deci- Big Ten Conference game Saturday when Pur- open mind and wanted to hear how others felt. official visits to the other schools sion, Morley committed to the Bad- due (7-19, 3-12 Big Ten) faces the 23rd-ranked Badgers I thought (Jud) Heathcote was the same way,” said Yoder, See KESSEL, Page 5D gers. (19-7, 10-5) at the Kohl Center. who coached through the 1992 season. “It seems just like two months ago Instead, they talked about lessons learned from los- that I was meeting everyone for the Ryan has known Keady the longest of the UW y Inside: Todd Milewski’s college first time,” Morley was saying after ing to Keady, or listening to Keady or just watching Keady coaches. He was an assistant under UW coach Bill Cofield while he won six Big Ten titles and seven Big Ten coach hockey notes; CC clinches at least See LUCAS, Page 3D of the years honors at Purdue. They put many of those See KEADY, Page 6D a share of WCHA title. 2D

‘When you look at him it’s an inspiration to see a young person that’s going through those PACKERS kinds of challenges. When you think about it, it’s not about putting your shoes on for practice, it’s about putting your legs on. And that in and of itself is fantastic.’ — MATC coach Scot Vesterdahl, on Brandon Watkins Guards’ exodus No legs, six fingers, factor for Favre? By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press but plenty of heart The Green Bay Packers lost both of their starting guards Thursday when Mike Wahle signed with the Caro- lina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys lured away three- MATC’s Brandon Watkins an inspiration time Pro Bowler Marco Rivera. “We certainly wanted to try to keep them in Green Bay, By Arnie Stapleton Watkins was born with clubbed but the market was such that they felt like they had to take Associated Press feet so disfigured doctors had to am- advantage of it,” coach Mike Sherman When Scot Vesterdahl, the men’s putate them below the knees when he said. “I appreciate everything they’ve basketball coach at Madison Area was 2. His prosthetics are decorated done for us. I hate to see them go, but Technical College, opened the gym now with the landscapes of New York, we have to move on.” for tryouts, he knew Brandon Watkins Chicago and Seattle. But that wasn’t The big question now is: What will would have his work cut out for him. what drew everybody’s attention. their departures mean to quarterback Watkins was born with three fin- Watkins hustled up and down the Brett Favre, who is mulling whether to gers on each hand. Then Watkins floor. He stayed with his man on de- retire or return for a 15th season? took off his sweats, and Vesterdahl fense, he could jump, he could shoot. Sherman said he didn’t think it If he hadn’t shed his sweat pants, no- did a double take: Watkins was stand- would play a role one way or the other. ing on prosthetic legs. body ever would have known he didn’t have legs, Vesterdahl said. “No, I don’t think so because Brett “When you look at him it’s an in- Favre makes his decisions that are to- Wahle spiration to see a young person that’s That night, Vesterdahl and his as- going through those kinds of chal- sistants began to seriously consider tally relevant to Brett Favre and his lenges,” Vesterdahl said. “When you Watkins for a roster spot, and by the family, not (dependent) on other people,” Sherman said. think about it, it’s not about putting second night of tryouts, they decided Although Favre hasn’t told the Packers for certain he’s your shoes on for practice, it’s about he would make the team. going to play in 2005, Sherman is planning on it because putting your legs on. And that in and “Does he deserve it? Yes, he does,” Favre is under contract and has never told the coach he’s of itself is fantastic.” Vesterdahl said. “Just based on hus- calling it quits. But did he have game? And could tle, how he got along with his team- Favre is scheduled to appear at the team’s first fan fest he actually play junior college basket- mates, attitude on the floor, all those celebration March 12, and he might talk about his future ball? things. Besides, he has basketball then. “Every time I’d seen him, he either ability.” ANDY MANIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS One reason Favre has been able to start an NFL quar- had sweat pants or pants on, I had no Co-captain Jacob Keller calls him a MATC forward Brandon Watkins has been an inspi- terbacks record 225 straight games, including playoffs, is idea,” Vesterdahl said. “You could ob- “true inspiration.” ration to his coaches and teammates. Watkins was that his pocket of protection has been outstanding in re- viously see his hands and his fingers “He’s always the first one to com- born with three fingers on each hand and both of cent seasons. and the challenges he has there, but I pliment us, he’s always the first one Tackles Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton, center Mike had never seen the prosthetics until his legs were amputated, but that hasn’t prevented the first night of tryouts.” See WATKINS, Page 5D him from competing in the sport he loves. See PACKERS, Page 5D madison.com

Matc's Brandon Watkins An Inspiration

The Capital Times :: SPORTS :: 1D

Friday, March 4, 2005 By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press

When Scot Vesterdahl, the men's basketball coach at Madison Area Technical College, opened the gym for tryouts, he knew Brandon Watkins would have his work cut out for him.

Watkins was born with three fingers on each hand. Then Watkins took off his sweats, and Vesterdahl did a double take: Watkins was standing on prosthetic legs.

"When you look at him it's an inspiration to see a young person that's going through those kinds of challenges," Vesterdahl said. "When you think about it, it's not about putting your shoes on for practice, it's about putting your legs on. And that in and of itself is fantastic."

But did he have game? And could he actually play junior college basketball?

"Every time I'd seen him, he either had sweat pants or pants on, I had no idea," Vesterdahl said. "You could obviously see his hands and his fingers and the challenges he has there, but I had never seen the prosthetics until the first night of tryouts."

Watkins was born with clubbed feet so disfigured doctors had to amputate them below the knees when he was 2. His prosthetics are decorated now with the landscapes of New York, Chicago and Seattle. But that wasn't what drew everybody's attention.

Watkins hustled up and down the floor. He stayed with his man on defense, he could jump, he could shoot. If he hadn't shed his sweat pants, nobody ever would have known he didn't have legs, Vesterdahl said.

That night, Vesterdahl and his assistants began to seriously consider Watkins for a roster spot, and by the second night of tryouts, they decided he would make the team.

"Does he deserve it? Yes, he does," Vesterdahl said. "Just based on hustle, how he got along with his teammates, attitude on the floor, all those things. Besides, he has basketball ability."

Co-captain Jacob Keller calls him a "true inspiration."

"He's always the first one to compliment us, he's always the first one off the bench when timeouts are called," he said. "And when he gets in a

http://www.madison.com/toolbox/index.php?action=printme...L=/archives/read.php?ref=/tct/2005/03/04/0503040465.php (1 of 3)12/8/2006 10:48:13 AM madison.com game and makes a shot, it doesn't matter if it's an away crowd or a home crowd, they all stand up and cheer for him."

The WolfPack (26-6) begins NJCAA Region XIII playoff action tonight when it meets Ridgewater College (Willmar, Minn.) in Minneapolis.

Overall, Watkins, has played in half of MATC's games. The 6-foot-1 freshman forward has made 5-of-10 field goals overall - including four 3- pointers - en route to averaging 1.4 points per contest.

"At the end of a game, if he gets in, if he makes a basket, you would think we've won the NBA championship," Vesterdahl said.

It has been a big adjustment for Watkins, going from the kid who was always teased to big man on campus. Watkins first played hoops when he was 8 and watched friends and family play on a church playground in Chicago. He taught himself to shoot and dribble between his legs. And he watched all the basketball he could on TV.

"I copied what other people did and I got better and better," he said. "Now, people tell me if I was normal, I'd probably be in the NBA or something like that."

At 11, he moved to Milwaukee, where he played in middle school. He served as team manager for his first three years at Milwaukee Madison High School, then tried out his senior year. After playing just 30 seconds during the first month of the season, he quit the team to focus on Special Olympics. He never figured his basketball dream was done.

"Oh, no, to tell you the truth, I visualized all this was going to happen. I'm going to have a movie, too," said Watkins. "That's going to happen. I know it is. I want Cuba Gooding Jr. to play me. He kind of looks like me and he did good in 'Radio,' so I think he could play me."

Watkins refuses to let his teammates think of him as physically challenged.

"We're not going to get better if you take it easy on me," he said. "You play your game, I'll play my game and we're going to see who comes out the best."

Some opponents early in the season made the mistake of taking it easy on him.

"At first, they were like, 'Oh, he ain't got no game,' and I'd score and the crowd would go so crazy they'd be like, 'Oh, man, we can't let him score again. The crowd is going to be so hyped.' "

Now, he gets no free passes, no easy shots.

"Hey, I'm not a complainer," he said. "The Lord has blessed me with so much."

It's those around him who consider themselves fortunate.

"Watching how hard he works," said Keller, the co-captain, "it just pushes us to work that much harder."

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And enjoy the journey that much more.

"I'm not sure that he hasn't taught me more about life than I've taught him about basketball," Vesterdahl said.

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