CONTENTS JANUARY 27, 2016 ■ VOLUME 6, ISSUE 24

FEATURE STORY COREY RADLUND

BEYOND HIS YEARS Jared Berggren and Frank Kaminsky were lauded for their improvement over four years at UW. Their successor in the post, 19-year-old Ethan Happ, has been forced to develop even faster.

FEATURES 10 YEARS LATER: UW’S TWIN TITLES IN [FOCUS] VIEW FROM THE TOP The week's best photos

Wisconsin’s 2006 NCAA champion­ BEHIND THE DESK ship sweep is a feat that’s yet to be About those assistant coaches DAVID STLUKA duplicated. Where are these ban­ ner-raising Badgers 10 years later? THE VOICE Nothing certain this season

BY THE NUMBERS LUCAS AT LARGE Facts and figures on UW

CAPUTO’S CASE WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers Mike Caputo spent a week making his USA TODAY SPORTS NFL case at East-West Shrine Game ASK THE BADGERS practices. He added a convincing Teammates’ annoying habits closing argument in the game itself.

BADGERING-SCROLL FOR MORE­ Kendall Kirsch (W. Tennis) Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711

VIEW ALL ISSUES

Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications

Julia Hujet Editor/Designer

Brian Mason Managing Editor

Mike Lucas Senior Writer

Andy Baggot Writer

Matt Lepay Columnist

Chris Hall, Jerry Mao Video Production

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Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom

Photography David Stluka, Neil Ament, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire

Cover Photo: Corey Radlund / Radlund Photography

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© 2016 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM MVP helps Caputo makes his case to NFL ichael Caputo has always “I drove the slant route,” Capu­ though. So this was very unique, taken pride in his ability to said, “and I ended up picking very fresh ― Stave bearing down Mto read an offense, pro­ the ball off.” on Caputo. cess the information ― formation, It was a bang-bang play and it “I tried to get some extra down-and-distance, quarterback looked like he might have a pick- yards,” said Caputo, returning to drop, receiver route ― and react six. his play-by-play. “And Joel did to what he’s seeing. “As I started running, I thought the old fashioned ‘take-a-charge’ The reaction is often predicat­ that,” said Caputo, who had and he let me kind of hit him and ed on what he has already seen. three career interceptions in 53 he grabbed me and threw me That’s how it went down for the games at Wisconsin with a long down. former Wisconsin safety in last return of 27 yards. “It was a good play by Joel. For Saturday’s East-West Shrine “I started running out of gas his personal stock, I’m glad that Game at Tropicana Field in St. at the end. The week of practice he ran me down. You know what Petersburg, Florida. kind of got to me a little bit. This I mean? That’s the one positive “They had run a play a couple guy (Illinois tailback Josh Fergu­ thing that you can get from that of times already in the game,” son) is going to catch me, so I (an interception). said Caputo, a starter on the turned around and tried to stiff- “I’m really glad that Joel tack­ West defense. “And I noticed arm him. led me. It shows that he has that every time they ran it, the “I got him off me and then I the same type of mentality that tight end did the same thing.” saw Joel.” I have. Because if I had thrown The tight end would angle out During their time together with that pick, I’d do the same thing to the flat and the split receiver to the Badgers, Caputo recalled and chase the guy down as fast that side of the formation would intercepting Stave “a couple of as I could.” run a slant. Caputo read the tight times” during scrimmages. “It Stave’s tackle kept Caputo out end, his first indicator, and then was just me reading and knowing of the end zone. But his 66-yard read the quarterback’s eyes. the play and routes,” he said. return to the East 11 led to a The quarterback was Joel Quarterbacks, in non-contact field goal. That Stave and Caputo Stave, his UW teammate for five green jerseys, are not expect- would be on opposite sides was a years. ed to make tackles in practice, roster quirk of the Shrine Game. USA TODAY

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM “It was weird,” Caputo said. talked to probably about 90 per­ the Fischer Sports Institute since “But when I look back on it, cent of them,” he said. “It was a early January. throughout all those practices at good experience.” About 15 players are working Wisconsin, I was against Joel ev­ Adding to Caputo’s enjoyment out daily at the facility. Among ery day. It was just like old times was the fact that Jerry Glanville them are a couple of Big Ten de­ really. That’s all it came down was the defensive coordinator for fensive backs, Maryland’s Sean to.” the West team and former UW Davis and Minnesota’s Eric Mur­ It was also like old times in the All-American Tim Krumrie was ray, a Milwaukee native. Tropicana Field locker room for the D-line coach. “I go to the facility at 8 in the Caputo, whose West teammates Krumrie, a member of the morning and I get out of there at included two other Badgers: full­ 2016 College Football Hall of about 7 at night,” Caputo said. “I back Derek Watt and offensive Fame class, has been friends train for football and the combine tackle Tyler Marz. for a long time with the colorful events ― the track meet stuff.” They had plenty to celebrate. Glanville, a former NFL head The 2016 NFL Scouting Com­ Not only did the West beat the coach with the Falcons and bine will take place in Indianapo­ East, 29-9, but Caputo was Houston Oilers. lis on Feb. 23-29. Caputo has yet named the Defensive MVP. He Caputo got a hoot out of both to receive an invitation. But he’s also intercepted a pass from for­ bigger-than-life characters. not obsessing over not yet getting mer Iowa/Michigan quarterback one. “There’s still some time; they Jake Rudock. “I’M REALLY GLAD THAT JOEL TACK­ “That was special, that was give them out until the first week LED ME,” CAPUTO SAID. “IT SHOWS awesome,” Caputo said of the of February,” he said. “That THAT HE HAS THE SAME TYPE OF award. “I worked really hard all would be great if I got one (invi­ MENTALITY THAT I HAVE. BECAUSE week and tried to show effort and tation). But I not worrying about finish plays. I tried to showcase IF I HAD THROWN THAT PICK, I’D DO it. I’m just taking it day by day.” my skills to the scouts.” THE SAME THING AND CHASE THE Caputo knows that he will get It was an even bigger deal for GUY DOWN AS FAST AS I COULD.” the opportunity to show what he Caputo knowing that former UW can do ― in terms of the stan­ linebacker O’Brien Schofield was “I didn’t know he was going dard measurables ― during Wis­ the Defensive MVP of the 2010 to be coaching and I was a little consin’s Pro Day the first week of East-West Shrine Game. surprised, but it was cool talking March. Schofield, a fourth-round draft to him again,” he said of Krum­ Whenever he drills, what’s the choice, has gone on to a six-year rie, who was UW’s honorary cap­ question that Caputo feels like he career in the National Football tain for the Iowa game at Camp must answer for the scouts? League with the Arizona Cardi­ Randall. “That I’m durable,” he said. nals, Seattle Seahawks and At­ “He (Glanville) is one of those “I’ve had some injuries ― the lanta Falcons. old-school guys and I pride my­ injury with my neck and concus­ Caputo would love to travel self on old-school mentality. sion. And that’s one of the main down that path. That’s why he That’s how I was raised, espe­ things they ask when they talk to took everything so seriously last cially in football. I felt like I got guys. week in preparation for the all- along with him really well.” “How long is this investment star game, because he knew that After the game, Caputo re­ going to be? Is it a short-term in­ there were a lot of eyes on him. turned to his current base of vestment? Is it long-term? I want “There were two or three operations in Phoenix, Arizona, to let the scouts know that it’s a scouts from each team and I where he has been training at long-term investment and that’s

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM

not going to fade.” to flourish there just like he did defense, Caputo says Biegel will Caputo is living by himself in at Wisconsin. I haven’t talked to help himself by getting his de­ Phoenix, and he likes it that way. him yet because I didn’t want to gree. “I’ve lived by myself for the bother him. But good for him.” “That’s one of the questions last two and one-half years (on Caputo was struck by some a lot of the scouts ask, ‘Did you the UW campus),” he said. “I’m other coaching hires, most nota­ graduate yet?’” Caputo said. “It used to it. I prefer it. I like to bly Rutgers hiring Chris Ash as feels good to say, ‘Yes.’ It feels keep to myself. That’s just the its head coach and Ash recruit­ good to say, ‘I graduated, I fin­ way I am.” ing Bill Busch and Aaron Henry ished my college major.’ He loves his daily schedule, for his coaching staff. “It just shows them you will too. Football from dawn to dusk. Caputo played with Henry and finish what you set your mind to. “That’s what is great about was coached by both Ash and I think it’s important. Maybe it’s what I’m doing now,” he said. “I Busch. Meanwhile, he’s confi­ because I was academically mo­ love training and I love the fact dent UW head coach Paul Chryst tivated and driven at Wisconsin. that I’m training for something. will find a good replacement for “But I think Vince made the I really don’t have to do much Aranda. right decision to come back. Your else. “No question, that’s a given,” senior year is special. Melvin’s “I’m at the facility all day and Caputo said. “He’s going to find (Gordon) situation was different. I’m not worried about what’s that someone who fits the pro­ I could see strategically why he going on back in Madison. I’m gram the best, whoever that may did leave early. not worried about what’s going be. I feel they’ll do really well “But for Vince, especially with on back in Pittsburgh (he’s from with the guys coming back on the guys on the team now, it’s Imperial, a suburb). D.” going to be a special year again. “I’m worried only about what After getting his draft evalu­ You can’t miss out on that.” I’m doing here (in Phoenix) and ation, outside linebacker Vince That was the Captain still being how important it is for my future Biegel is one of the returning the Captain. And, yes, Mike Ca­ and how pivotal these moments starters. Besides impacting the puto will be missed. ■ are the next couple of months. USA TODAY That keeps me pretty focused.” Caputo was initially surprised when he heard that Dave Aranda had left Wisconsin to be the de­ fensive coordinator at LSU. But after he saw the contract figures, he better understood the deci­ sion. “You’ve got to take care of your family,” he said. “That’s just the way things are. That’s the evo­ lution of coaching. That’s how things are done at the business level of college football. “I’m very happy that he got the job. I’m sure that he’s going

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 3 OF 3 BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ ■ UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Talk of salaries a ‘convenient narrative’ really like the hire Paul made. coaches each year. It has been if you look as far back as 2000, Justin Wilcox has been a de­ going on for as long as I can you would be hard-pressed to I fensive coordinator for a lot of remember. And different coaches find an assistant coach other good programs and had success. change jobs for different reasons. than Dave Aranda who left for a Paul did his due diligence, spoke No two situations are exactly the similar position at another school to a number of people that he same. It’s too simplistic to say and for a significant raise. The knew and respected and really someone moved from one job to large majority of changes have made sure he found the right fit another for one reason. Now, I’m either been coaches moving up for our program. We have a lot not naïve to the fact that money the coaching ladder (jumping of returning talent on that side of is one of the factors that coaches from college to the NFL, position the ball and I’m confident we will consider when taking a job. But coaches becoming coordinators have a good defense next year. there are a number of things a or coordinators becoming head Much has been made about coach considers when making coaches) or coaches who were salaries for assistant coaches the decision to move his family not retained due to a change at during this offseason. I am very and we don’t begrudge anyone our head coach position. aware of where we rank both in for making a decision that they Wisconsin is not the only place the Big Ten and nationally as far think is in their family’s best in­ that has lost assistant coaches. as salary is concerned. I can’t terests. If you look around the country, speak for what other schools do, However, the convenient nar­ there is constant movement with­ but I know my responsibility is to rative that has been forwarded in the profession. Among the do what’s best for Wisconsin and about Wisconsin not paying its Power Five conferences, more our student-athletes. assistant coaches enough, and than half of the 64 schools had Having been in the profession that causing us to lose quality a change in either their offensive for as long as I was, and now coaches, simply is not true. We or defensive coordinator, or both, viewing it as an administrator, I have had a lot of coaching turn­ this year. In both the Big Ten know that there is always a lot over recently but it has not been and SEC this year, nine of the 14 of movement among football caused by money. In fact, even schools will have at least one new JOHN MCGILLEN

BEHIND THE DESK PAGE 1 OF 2 BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ ■ UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

coordinator. Everyone loses good JOHN MCGILLEN coaches. The question is, how do you sustain success when that happens? We have a pretty good track record around here of be­ ing able to do just that. This is a good place to be. I know that because I’ve been here for more than 25 years. But I also know that because of the number of calls I get from high- ly-respected people within the profession whenever we have an opening. People want to work here. And we’ve been able to hire good coaches. But much like recruiting student-athletes, we need to look for the best “fit” when hiring coaches. Just be­ er Five conference programs to best move for him professionally cause someone is a “hot” name win at least 70 games over the and for his family was to make or a website ranks them as a seven seasons. We’ve won more the jump to become the head five-star recruit, doesn’t neces­ Big Ten titles than anyone oth­ coach at Pitt. Joe has Penn­ sarily mean they will be success­ er than Ohio State over the last sylvania roots and Paul offered ful here. 23 years. That type of sustained him the chance to become an success is hard to find. We’ve got offensive coordinator. Both guys will tell you they were complicat­ I REALLY LIKE THE HIRE PAUL MADE. great kids here, kids that are fun to coach and want to learn. It’s ed decisions, with many layers, JUSTIN WILCOX HAS BEEN A DEFEN­ a world-class university. In addi­ even though some on the outside SIVE COORDINATOR FOR A LOT OF tion, Madison is a great place to may think it was a no-brainer. GOOD PROGRAMS AND HAD SUCCESS. raise a family. All of that makes it We want to hire good coaches WE HAVE A LOT OF RETURNING TALENT a great place to work. and when you do that, eventually ON THAT SIDE OF THE BALL AND I’M Because we’ve been suc­ they will move one. CONFIDENT WE WILL HAVE A GOOD cessful, that has opened up I thought our coaches did a DEFENSE NEXT YEAR. opportunities for our assistant heck of a job this season. Getting coaches. We’ve had a number to 10 wins is not easy, especially When talking to recruits, we of very good assistant coaches with the injuries and youth we talk about the entire package of over the years that have been had on both sides of the ball. Wisconsin Athletics and the Uni­ a part of our success. They get That’s the reason I’ve recom­ versity of Wisconsin. The same recognized for that. Two great mended increases for Paul and thing goes for coaches. We have examples are Paul and Joe Ru­ his staff, because I think they a great program, one of the most dolph. We had some great of­ earned it. We have a good coach­ consistent winners in the coun­ fenses during Paul’s last stint as ing staff, and we will continue to try. We’ve got the longest bowl the offensive coordinator. A lot of have good coaches because this streak in the Big Ten, 14 straight people came after him. Eventual­ is a great program and a great years. We’re one of just 10 Pow­ ly he made the decision that the place to be. ■

BEHIND THE DESK PAGE 2 OF 2 THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY ■ VOICE OF THE BADGERS This much is certain: nothing is certain n the world of fun and games, friends. (If you watched/heard To say the least, the end of the there is a constant debate that game, perhaps you noticed conference schedule is daunting. Iregarding what is better ― a the Penn State student section However, the Badgers have prov­ wide-open race for a champi­ directing verbal salvos at the ju­ en that when they play at their onship or a David vs. Goliath nior big man. The Badgers got a best, they are pretty good. At theme. chuckle out of it, while Vitto had their worst, they are one vulnera­ Last year in college basketball, a chance to posterize the Nittany ble bunch. Kentucky played the role of the Lions with a sweet dunk in the They have plenty of company, New York Yankees. It was the second half). and in part because of that, the team you either loved or loved Returning to the topic, in the Badgers can fight their way into to hate. Would the Wildcats run last year, much has changed in the postseason mix. Wisconsin the table, something that has not college hoops. As we approach is going through more transition happened since the 1976 Indi­ the end of January, Bilas ap­ than most, but the closer you ana Hoosiers? It is worth a re­ pears to be spot on. There is no look across the country, the more minder that throughout the sea­ dominant team. Top-five teams you notice a number of Blue son, many of the national pundits are losing with regularity, often to Blood programs dealing with declared the Badgers as one of unranked opponents. change. the few teams capable of beating Trying to knock off the giant UK. Of course, Wisconsin did is fun, but for Wisconsin’s sake, just that in the epic Final Four THE BADGERS HAVE this seems to be good timing to matchup in Indianapolis. PROVEN THAT WHEN THEY have an up-for-grabs season. Until that wonderful Saturday PLAY AT THEIR BEST, THEY Yes, the Dukies, Big Blue and night at Lucas Oil Stadium, it was ARE PRETTY GOOD. AT THEIR Sparty ― among others ― can Kentucky Against the World. WORST, THEY ARE ONE get things squared away and go This year, it is a different story. VULNERABLE BUNCH. on a huge run at any time, but ESPN’s Jay Bilas has stated that for now all signs indicate we are no team in the college game this in for a wild last five weeks of the season would be in last year’s top Duke, Kentucky and Michigan regular season ― not to mention six. State had a week where they put what could be in store for fans While we will never know for together a combined record of during conference tournament sure, one could argue that if 0-7. play. last year’s Badgers could go up Want to rule them out of the So in an up-and-down, and at against today’s field, they would national picture? Do so at your times surreal, season for Wiscon­ go 40-0 and thus reserve a seat own risk. sin hoops, I say hang in there. at the table with Bob Knight’s Which brings me to the Bad­ All of these so-called surprises group from 40 years ago. gers. On Tuesday night, Greg could be nothing more than a Yep, those thoughts crossed Gard’s team began a stretch sneak preview of coming attrac­ my mind last week while waiting where it plays three of four tions. for an 8 p.m. Eastern tipoff in games at home. Then five of the Smart fans know it is worth State College, Pennsylvania, with remaining seven regular season sticking around to see what un­ 3,000 of Vitto Brown’s closest matchups are on the road. folds. ■

THE VOICE PAGE 1 OF 1 ASK THE BADGERS

WHICH TEAMMATE HAS THE MOST ANNOYING? HABIT? JACK McLAUGHLIN BRIAN EBNER

KELLI BATES PATRICK MUTO GRANT BESSE BRIANNA FLUGAUR Sophomore ■ Volleyball Senior ■ Men’s Rowing Junior ■ Men’s Hockey Sophomore ■ Softball

“Haleigh Nelson “The guy on the “You could proba­ “Macy Oswald. She loses her phone ev­ team with the most bly ask anyone on always posts pic­ ery day and I always annoying habit is the team and 90 tures when only she end up helping her Michael Knippen. percent of the guys looks good, even find it in the strang­ He loves to show up would say Adam if the other people est places. One to practice about Rockwood and his look bad in the pho­ time we looked for a one second be­ talking habits. He is to. The team always good 15-20 minutes fore it starts. He’ll always running his calls her out on it.” and we found it un­ walk into 4 o’clock mouth, no matter if derneath a piece of practice at 3:59 and it is on the ice, off paper sitting on her 59 seconds with a the ice, playing Xbox bed. Another time smirk on his face on the headset, any­ we looked for 15-20 because he knows thing. When you are minutes and found it gets on all our around him, he is it in her coat pock­ nerves.” constantly running et. I’m convinced his mouth about one of these times something. There is we’ll find it in the always noise coming refrigerator!” from him.” JACK McLAUGHLIN GREG ANDERSON GREG ANDERSON BADGERING DAVID STLUKA KENDALL KIRSCH

A freshman from Long Grove, Illinois, Kendall Kirsch has provided the ALL ABOUT KENDALL Badgers with a spark in her first season at Wisconsin. She finished the Year: Freshman fall with a sparkling 10-1 singles record and a mark of 10-2 on the Height: 5-8 doubles court. A four-star recruit who went 82-5 during her prep career Hometown: Long Grove, Ill. at Stevenson High School, Kirsch won the 2013 Illinois state doubles High School: Stevenson Go to full bio » championship after placing third in the state in 2011.

When did you start playing tennis and how did you get into it? QUICK Qs WITH KENDALL “I started playing tennis when I was 6 years old. My mom start­ Favorite Twitter follow? ed playing a few years after she had my brother, sister and I, “@FillWerrell, but I also like watching funny Vines.” and she signed me up for lessons and put me on the court with my sister and brother ― I kind of just fell in love with it from Funniest person on the team? there.” “Definitely Maria (Avgerinos). She’s got some really random thoughts that just kill us.” SCROLL What made you choose Wisconsin? “I went to a camp here the summer of my junior year and once Favorite color? I got on campus I was like ‘Wow this is beautiful,’ and I kind of “Yellow.” just fell in love with it right then and there. I also stayed in one Pre-match rituals? of the dorms and got a feel for what it would be like to go to “I like to listen to the song ‘Till I Col­ school here. After the summer camp, Tina (Samara) called me lapse’ by Eminem. Just the words and and offered me a scholarship, which was very unexpected. I the meaning behind it get me pumped didn’t expect to come here and get the opportunity to play, but up. But really just music in general, I when I was here, I knew it was the place I wanted to be, so I love listening to music.” was going to work as hard as I needed to get here.”

Now that you’re here, what’s your favorite part? “Being on the team. I played soccer until I was a sophomore, so I love being on a team and I love having people there to sup- port me and so I think being on a team is my favorite part. I’m lucky enough to have a team where all of us are really close.”

What’s the transition to college been like? “Academically, I came from a fairly big high school of about 4,000 kids so I was kind of ready to come to a big school. I was very excited but it was still a little overwhelming first coming here just because I wasn’t sure what a college class was going to be like, but I got the feel of it pretty quickly. For tennis, I played a lot when I was a junior, but if I was sick or not feel- ing well one day I could just blow it off and just reschedule it. Here you just have to push through, so that’s been kind of a big transition.”

What was the key to your successful fall debut? “Over the summer I told myself that I was going to work as hard as I could to make my fall season and my entire freshman year successful, and I knew if I worked hard I would get there. So over the summer, I worked with my trainer a few times a week and hit every single day and I just went into the fall season with an open mind and tried not to put much pressure on myself, because I knew if I did that, then I couldn’t really focus on the present and do what I want to do. I learned that if I fixated on the big thing like the score then I wouldn’t focus on things like the point at hand. Overall, I just told myself to play with confi- dence, play loose and not fixate on the small things because I realized when I do that I’m much more successful.”

How do you feel about having some of the country’s best players coming to Madison for the ITA National Indoor? “It’s definitely going to be a challenge, but our team has worked very hard throughout the season and I think we’re up for the challenge. I know it’s going to be tough, but I think we’re going to do pretty well. I know I’m excited and the team is very excit- ed and ready to put up a good fight against very good teams. It’s nice to be hosting this because we haven’t in quite a while. It’s a great opportunity and I think we’re ready for it.”

Can you describe yourself as a tennis player? “Everyone calls me the goalie on the tennis court because I run down balls. I also like to be aggressive ― not play defensively, because playing aggressive is way more fun than backing off the ball and lobbing it. But I just chase after the balls and try to get everything back, and when I have the opportunity to get on the offense, I attack.” ■ STEVE GOTTER ETHAN HAPP has been asked to play bigger than a 6-foot-9 forward while battling in the post in the always-physical Big Ten Conference. He’s also been asked to play older than a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, being counted on for significant minutes for a Wisconsin team that’s been defined by change. As evidenced by a league-high seven double-doubles, he’s managed to do both ― something that comes as little surprise to those that watched him develop quickly into the latest versatile Badgers big man. COREY RADLUND

he night before the Michigan State-Wisconsin “Ethan looked at me said, ‘I don’t want to talk about game, Ethan Happ got a chance to reminisce it.’ I said, ‘Neither do I,’” Whiteman related. “He still Twith his former prep coach, Toby Whiteman, has a bad taste in his mouth.” and his family. “It was the end of our undefeated season,” Happ “Coach Whiteman meant a lot to me,” Happ said. said. “We were predicted to win state that year and “He was like another dad.” it still hurts to talk about it right now.” During Happ’s conversation with his old coach, Whiteman has always known that about Happ ― there was a passing reference to the only game that how things have an extended shelf life. the Rockridge Rockets lost during Happ’s junior “If anything, he probably holds on to stuff too season: a 56-55 defeat at the hands of Bloomington much,” he said. “But, on the same hand, that’s why Central Catholic in the Class 2A sectional champi­ he works so hard, that’s what pushes him, that’s why onship. he’s playing as a freshman.” “In third quarter,” Whiteman said, “Ethan pretty His competitive drive goes well beyond what hap­ much put us on his shoulders.” pens on a basketball court. Happ scored 10 of his game-high 29 points in the “If you’re playing him in cards,” Whiteman said, quarter, but it wasn’t enough. The Rockets’ 28-game “if you’re playing him in golf, if you’re playing him in winning streak came to a screeching halt. Blooming­ H-O-R-S-E, if you’re playing him in a video game ― ton Central went on to win the state title but it was of in whatever ― he does not like to lose.” little consolation to Happ. Asked for a specific example to illustrate what he “To be honest with you,” Whiteman said, “he took was saying, he struggled to cite just one. it hard.” “I don’t necessarily know if there was one moment, The game was played nearly three years ago, and one play or one thing that stands out about Ethan,” the pain hasn’t gone away. Instead, it bubbled to the said Whiteman, who paused and then blurted out, surface again while Whiteman and Happ were trad­ “Yeah, there was one ― his junior year.” ing remembrances. Rockridge was playing host to its rival, Mon-

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 2 OF 9 mouth-Roseville. Monmouth-Roseville beat Rockridge and Whiteman “I think their philosophy for that game was, ‘We knew how Happ would respond. have 10 players and that’s 50 fouls and we’re going “He didn’t shoot free throws all that great his ju­ to keep fouling him,’” Whiteman recounted. “They nior year,” Whiteman said. “So what does he do? were going to push and they were going to shove. It He’s grabbing my keys and going to the school at 5 was the old ‘Hack-a-Shaq.’ every morning and shooting free throws.” “To be honest, I really felt bad for Ethan. There Happ also realized that he had to get stronger and were a lot of times when more physical. I would get a technical. “Ethan is one of those Heck, I even got thrown “ETHAN DOESN’T CARE IF HE SCORES, HE DOESN’T kids,” Whiteman said, out of a couple of games. CARE IF HE PULLS DOWN REBOUNDS,” WHITEMAN “who walks away from a I’m like, ‘This is bigger “ game thinking, ‘OK, that SAID. “THE SMILE ON HIS FACE AFTERWARDS WAS than a high school game. went well, but that didn’t BECAUSE OF THE WIN, NOT BECAUSE OF THAT BASKET This is a kid’s livelihood. go well and that’s never This is his career.’ THAT HE MADE. ALL HE WANTS TO DO IS WIN.” going to happen to me “I thought they were again.’” extremely physical with him, overly physical; they Whiteman went out to dinner with Happ after double- and triple-teamed him. I remember during the Badgers edged Michigan State, 77-76, on his the game Ethan came out and said, ‘Coach, it’s like game-winning basket with 10 seconds remaining. a war out there.’” “Ethan doesn’t care if he scores, he doesn’t care “I think their game plan was to see how much they if he pulls down rebounds,” Whiteman said. “The could get away with, and they got away with a lot,” smile on his face afterwards was because of the win, Happ said. “That was like a preview of the Big Ten. not because of that basket that he made. That’s what it’s like every game ― it’s a free-for-all “That’s just the type of kid that he is. All he wants down there in the post.” to do is win.”

▼ TAP TO WATCH - Courtside with Ethan Happ after the Badgers' win over MSU DAVID STLUKA

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 3 OF 9 ■ ■ ■ ■ app’s mailing address is Milan, Illinois, a vil­ lage of a little over 5,000 near the Quad Cities. H “But he lives in a subdivision outside of Milan,” Whiteman said. “There are all these little neighborhoods out in the middle of the country, nice pop-up neighborhoods.” These communities funnel their kids into Rock- ridge High School, grades 9-12 (enrollment: 442). Whiteman lives in Andalusia, five minutes from the school and eight miles from Milan. “We’ve got kids from five or six different towns,” Whiteman said. “Hardworking kids. The parents in this school district don’t give their kids everything. They expect them to work for it.” That was the case in the Happ household. Randy Happ played basketball at North Central, a Division III program in Chicago. And he instilled in his sons, Eric and Ethan, that work ethic. “Since I was little,” Ethan offered, “my dad always said that I had the talent to be a Division I player. Getting in the gym and putting the time in was some­ thing I learned from him.” His older brother taught him a few things, too, during pickup games in their driveway. Usually, it was two-on-two, the Brothers Happ and a combina­ tion of the neighbors: Luke, Alex, Nile and Nolan. “I was always the youngest one,” said Ethan, two years younger than Eric, who played at Carl Sand­ burg College in Galesburg, Illinois. “Playing against those guys, playing up (in age), it always helped me with my toughness. “If you shy away from contact or if you pout or any­ thing like that, you’re done playing. They’re not go­ ing to let you play anymore. They were always taller and stronger and I was more of a shooter back then in the driveway games so I would try and create my own shot. “I was actually a point guard until my sophomore year of high school. “And that’s when I hit my growth spurt.” Whiteman had heard about that spurt ― how a smallish eighth grader had sprouted from 5-9 to 6-3 by the end of his freshman season. Beyond that, Happ was just another player to DAVID STLUKA Whiteman, one of the sophomores that he was inher­ iting after taking over as the new basketball coach at Rockridge.

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 4 OF 9 area very well and it’s a good recruiting base.” Happ never considered UIC. “We never had a chance once Wis­ consin offered,” said Moore, who left Big Ten Network to assist Greg Gard in December. “At the mid-major level, you have to be honest with yourself. “You’re not going to beat the Wiscon­ sins of the world on a kid. So you go on to the next one. At least I knew my eyes weren’t deceiving me when I saw him play.” Happ averaged 15.1 points and 10.6 rebounds during his sophomore year. Two weeks after attending UW’s ad­ vance camp, he verbally committed to the Badgers in late June of 2012. “The first thing I saw was his skill set,” he said. “I saw him at an AAU tournament in St. Louis “I saw that he could handle it (the ball) and shoot during the spring evaluation period in April,” said it and he had passing skills and a good feel for the UW assistant Gary Close, who was tipped off to Happ game for as big and long as he was.” by a friend, Rock Island coach Tom Sigel. Whiteman wanted another set of eyes to evaluate “Tom called and said, ‘Here’s a perfect guy for the Happ. So he called one of his best friends, Chad way you play ― you should check him out,’” Close Boudreau, an assistant coach on Rob Jeter’s staff at recalled of their conversation. “And he was right. He Milwaukee. was very active. He looked like he enjoyed playing. “Chad, I’ve got a kid here who I think can play at And, obviously, he had some natural talent and abil­ the next level,” Whiteman told him. ity.” Boudreau agreed to check him out. Happ showed promise in other sports. In football, “Chad really liked him,” Whiteman said. “It was a classic case of a kid who has those point guard skills and goes through two or three growth spurts and continues to have those skills. “He kept growing and growing and growing. And he just kept getting better and better and better.” Milwaukee was one of the first schools to offer a scholarship to Happ. “We offered him right after Milwau­ kee did,” said UW assistant Howard Moore, who was then the head coach at Illinois-Chicago. “I saw him in a spring event with his AAU team (Quad City Elite). “He was just finishing his sophomore year and I really liked his skill set and I liked his length. I know that Quad City

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 5 OF 9 ■ ■ ■ ■ is USA select jerseys are hanging in his closet “HE KEPT GROWING AND GROWING at home. AND GROWING,” WHITEMAN SAID. H “They’re a good reminder,” Happ said. “ A good reminder of how much fun he had and “AND HE JUST KEPT GETTING BETTER what he accomplished in the 2014 Albert Sch­ AND BETTER AND BETTER.” weitzer Tournament, an Under-18 mini-World Cup for basketball, and an unofficial world championship he was a quarterback and wide receiver through the involving teams from 16 countries. The games are eighth grade. After giving up baseball for a year to staged every two years in Mannheim, Germany. focus on basketball, he went back out as a senior. Close was the conduit for Happ. One of his friends, His first cousin is J.A. Happ, 33, a veteran Major Mike Olson, a prep school coach in New Hampshire, League pitcher. was in charge of the select team. Olson contacted During the offseason, Happ signed a three-year, Close and inquired if he knew of any players that $36 million free agent contract with the Toronto Blue might be interested in competing against the best in Jays. The cousins have been known to exchange the world. Close recommended Happ. tests congratulating each other. “That week in Germany,” Happ said, “was defi­ “Ethan could have played a lot of sports,” Whiteman nitely one of the best times in my life.” said. “He came up to me before his senior year and Happ was reminded of that experience during says, ‘I’m thinking about playing football.’” Wisconsin’s road trip to Penn State. Happ got a text Whiteman, also a football assistant, was startled from Mike Leazier, one of Olson’s assistant coach­ and advised him, “Guys are taking shots at you es with the U.S. team. Leazier is now living in State during the basketball season, what do you think College where his wife is the head of the philosophy they’re going to do in football?’” department on campus. USA TODAY

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 6 OF 9 Happ averaged 19.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in leading the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2014 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, becoming the first American to be named the tournament’s MVP since 2000.

Last Thursday afternoon, Leazier met Happ at the the Americans, 86-73, for the gold medal. team hotel. They chatted in the lobby for about 30 Nonetheless, Happ was honored as the Most Valu­ minutes. able Player of the Schweitzer Tournament; the first “It was such an interesting trip (to Germany),” U.S. player to be MVP since 2000. Magic Johnson, Leazier said. “We met these players in the airport at Kyle Lowry, Paul Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan JFK, flew overnight, landed, checked into the hotel and Dirk Nowitzki are among the many Schweitzer and went to practice. We were just trying to put a alums. group of guys together quickly, two days removed “The United States is the one team in the tourna­ from our first game. ment that is not sponsored by the country’s federa­ “One of the things that stood out right away was tion,” Leazier said. “It’s a select team put together that Ethan was so athletic around the rim, a great by a group of coaches that are basically volunteering finisher; he could really run the floor and he was an to do it. The opponents were national teams that had active defender around the basket. been together for a number of years. “He quickly emerged in the minds of a lot of us “It speaks absolute volumes to be the MVP of that on the coaching staff as what looked like our best tournament … it was unique for him because he player. That was our first impression. As we started was in an environment where he felt like he had to playing games that was substantiated.” prove himself and earn his minutes whereas he was During the seven-game tournament, Happ aver­ coming from a high school environment where he aged 19.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 1.9 was the star.” blocks. The select team opened with a win over Italy Upon returning to the states, Leazier said all of in the qualification round and then defeated Chile, the U.S. coaches agreed on one thing: “This kid is France, the Ukraine, defending champ Spain and going to be really good at Wisconsin. I don’t think it Serbia to reach the championship game. has surprised any of us to see his productivity. But it It was the first time that the United States had has certainly brought a smile to our faces, that’s for made the final since 1996. Happ led the way with 29 sure.” points, 13 rebounds and seven steals against Serbia Happ still stays in touch with some of his Sch­ in the semis. Despite 20 points and 11 rebounds weitzer teammates, including Northwestern’s Scottie from Happ, Italy avenged its earlier loss by beating Lindsey and Rutgers’ Mike Williams. He also made

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 7 OF 9 friends with some Argentina players. They commu­ nicate via Twitter and Facebook. He holds those re­ lationships dear to his heart. “THOSE WERE SOME OF THE BEST PLAYERS “Those were some of the best players in the world IN THE WORLD AT MY AGE,” HAPP SAID. “AND at my age,” Happ said. “And to play well against “ TO PLAY WELL AGAINST THEM, IT GAVE ME A them, it gave me a boost going into my freshman BOOST GOING INTO MY FRESHMAN YEAR.” year (at Wisconsin). Even though I ended up red- shirting, I still really cherish having gone to Germa­ ny.” many of the same qualities. Leazier watched Happ produce his seventh dou­ “He’s really good around the basket and when he ble-double (20 points and 11 rebounds) of the sea­ gets a little bit more consistent with that 12- to 15­ son last Thursday night in Wisconsin’s 66-60 victory foot jump shot, he’s going to be difficult to defend,” over Penn State. Earlier in the day, Leazier pointed said the 6-10 Morris, a four-year letterwinner and out, “He doesn’t shy away from competitive chal­ 1,000-point scorer at Northwestern. lenges. He wants to do well, he wants to play.” “You can tell that he has spent a lot of time work­ Big Ten Network analyst Shon Morris has observed ing on his footwork. It just goes to show you what it can mean to big guys having that extra year (as a redshirt) ― like he did going against (Frank) Kaminsky ― and taking their beatings, just like Frank did from Jared Berggren. “To have that happen in practice be­ fore the lights come on really gives you a chance to come in when the redshirt comes off and play. And he’s showing that. He’s definitely going to be a mem­ ber of my all-freshman team this year and down the road, I see him as an All- Big Ten player.” Morris praised Happ for beating guys to spots on the floor and understanding angles and the patience that it takes to move a defender up and down the lane. “He’s as advanced as anyone I’ve seen over the last five or six years of under­ standing that,” he said. Some of Happ’s footwork can be traced to his early training as a point guard. Some of his familiarity with angles can be credited to Kaminsky, the reigning national player of the year. “Frank definitely schooled me on it a lot of times,” he said. “When you talk about angles, you talk about the piv­ ot foot. If one way is shut off, you can DAVID STLUKA still pivot and go back the other way. Patience and pivoting is what I think of when I think of angles.

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 8 OF 9 “A lot of people think it’s about who’s bigger, who’s “This is a tough league,” he said, “and you have stronger. I’ve gone against a lot of people who are to keep telling yourself that he’s a freshman even bigger and stronger than me. It’s almost like a puz­ though he has been around here for a couple of zle. You have to try and figure out what you can do years. He’s doing this for the first time. better than the other guy in order for you to win your “So there are going to be some ups-and-downs.” matchup.” The 19-year-old Happ can be tough on himself. Happ has studied clips of former Creighton star Emotionally, he’s an open book. Doug McDermott, now with the Chicago Bulls. “You don’t want to squelch it too much,” Close “I’ve watched a lot of him in the post ― that’s said. “That’s part of what makes him good.” where he got a lot of his points (in college),” Happ When Leazier asked how he was handling every­ said. “Once he caught the thing as a starter, Happ con­ ball and read the defense, ceded, “I used the ‘up-and­ he made a quick, decisive down’ term a lot, and it has move. A lot of times he did “IT’S ALMOST LIKE A PUZZLE. YOU HAVE been an up-and-down season his work before he caught TO TRY AND FIGURE“ OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO ― for myself and the team.” the ball, and that’s some­ BETTER THAN THE OTHER GUY IN ORDER When pressed for more clar­ thing I need to improve on FOR YOU TO WIN YOUR MATCHUP.” ity, Happ explained, “There as well.” have been times where I’ve McDermott could stretch a felt really good about what defense with his jumper. Happ hasn’t refined one we’re doing. And, then, there are times where I’ve yet. been disappointed in myself for not playing up to “But next year,” he said, “I see myself being able what I should be doing. to play on the perimeter a little more.” “It’s different in college because it’s not all on my Close believes that Happ’s range will improve in shoulders like it was in high school or even in Ger­ time to where he can face up and score. many. It’s not up to me entirely whether we win or “He’s got a chance to make a jump similar to what lose, not that it was ever entirely. But I had a lot Nigel (Hayes) did when he didn’t shoot a 3-pointer more say in it than I do now. I’m just a piece to the his entire freshman year,” Close said, “It’s more of a puzzle.” confidence factor than anything else.” A pretty big one at that. And he’s figuring out how Close brought something else up. he fits. DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA

ETHAN HAPP: BEYOND HIS YEARS PAGE 9 OF 9 DAVID STLUKA More than half the roster called the state home, the schedule included a date at Lambeau Field and the path through the NCAA tournament didn’t include a single border crossing, making the Badgers’ sixth national title as deeply rooted in Wisconsin as any of the program’s championships. Talent ran deep with that UW team, too, meaning few players will be in attendance when the 10th anniversary of their 2006 championship is marked this weekend ― 15 are still skating professionally. Jake Dowell understands both those dynamics as well as anyone and stands as an example of just how much can change in a decade. DAVID STLUKA

▲ TAP TO WATCH - 10 Years Later: Badger men's hockey wins the NCAA title

he anniversary beckons, leaving Jake Dowell other school before or since has claimed both Divi­ sounding incredulous. sion I titles in the same season. T “It doesn’t really seem like it could be possi­ The 10th anniversary of that landmark double will ble,” he said. be celebrated on multiple fronts this weekend. Mem­ Ten seasons ago, the Wisconsin men’s hockey team bers of those two teams will be honored Saturday traveled a unique path to winning the sixth NCAA title night during a non-league series with Alaska at the in program history. Dowell was a junior wing/center Kohl Center. Members of that women’s squad will on that club, an Eau Claire native whose state-cen­ be recognized Saturday afternoon during a Western tric roots were a major theme in that achievement. Collegiate Hockey Association series with St. Cloud More than half the 25-man roster hailed from Wis­ State at LaBahn Arena. consin and, thanks to good timing and fortune, the Asked to define the legacy of that men’s team, Badgers played all four national tournament games Dowell was direct. without having to leave the state. They won the NCAA “It’s still the closest team I’ve ever been on,” he Midwest Regional at the Resch Center in Green Bay, said. “Everybody for the most part has stayed in punctuated by a stirring victory over Cornell that re­ contact with everybody. It’s a pretty special group.” quired three overtimes. They followed that up with The legacy goes much deeper than that, though. Frozen Four wins over Maine and Boston College at Eleven members of that club went on to play in the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. the NHL ― including seven who skated in at least The 2-1 triumph over BC was a watershed mo­ 100 games ― and five are currently on active NHL ment for Wisconsin hockey. It came two weeks af­ rosters: goaltender Brian Elliott with St. Louis, defen­ ter the women’s team knocked off Minnesota 3-0 seman Tom Gilbert with Montreal, winger Jack Skille at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis to secure the first and center Ben Street with Colorado and center Joe NCAA championship in that program’s history. No Pavelski with San Jose.

HOMEGROWN HEROES: 2006 MEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPS PAGE 2 OF 6 Two played for Stanley Cup champions (center the world, had his greatest fear dissolve into ecstasy Adam Burish with Chicago in 2010 and defensem­ and explored the boundaries of rebirth. an Davis Drewiske with Los Angeles in ’12) and two Dowell spent a good chunk of his 30 years won­ more played in the NHL All-Star Game (Elliott with dering how he would die. He was 16 when his father, the Blues in 2012 and 2015 and Pavelski with the John, was found to have Huntington’s disease, a fa­ Sharks this year). tal genetic disorder that kills brain cells and erodes Dowell, Drewiske and motor skills. There is no defenseman Joe Piskula cure. His only brother, are playing for the Amer­ “IT’S STILL THE CLOSEST TEAM I’VE EVER BEEN Luke, also was diagnosed ican Hockey League af­ ON,” DOWELL SAID. “EVERYBODY FOR THE MOST with HD. There was a 50­ filiates of Chicago, Phil­ “ 50 chance Jake had the adelphia and Anaheim, PART HAS STAYED IN CONTACT WITH EVERY­ gene as well. respectively. BODY. IT’S A PRETTY SPECIAL GROUP.” John Dowell died Feb. Six of the ’06 alums are 13, 2014 at the age of 58. currently playing professionally in Europe ― Burish Luke, 31, needs 24-hour care for his HD and bipolar and winger Robbie Earl in Sweden and center An­ schizophrenia. drew Joudrey, defenseman Kyle Klubertanz, defen­ The specter of HD followed Jake from the U.S. Na­ seman Jeff Likens and winger Ryan MacMurchy in tional Team Developmental Program in Ann Arbor, Germany ― which means there will be a very light Michigan, to Madison and to eight different pro stops turnout for the reunion. in five states and two countries. He kept putting off “It sucks there won’t be that many guys there, but getting the necessary blood test in part because a it says something that so many guys are still play­ positive test might affect his employment status. ing,” Dowell said. “Whether I ever consciously knew I was thinking Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said the fact that 15 about it, it was always in the back of my mind and members of that club are still skating professionally I knew I would have to face the music with it,” he and that 19 are still involved in hockey ― either play­ said. ing or coaching ― is a testament to its quality. “That’s pretty neat,” he said. “That speaks to the Jake Dowell (talent) level of that team.” According to Dowell, a summertime reunion built around barbeques, fishing and golf is being planned during which the locals ― Burish, Earl, Elliott, Gil­ bert, Joudrey and Pavelski are known to have homes in the Madison area ― will serve as hosts. “We’ll get cozy,” Dowell said wryly. “I think every­ one can fit at Gilbert’s house.” Dowell may be able to help because he and his wife, Carly, are looking to settle here as well. That’s part of a plan that includes him securing the final six credits he needs for a degree in sociology. He would be the 15th member of that team to graduate from Wisconsin. Four others ― Drewiske, Earl, Piskula and Skille ― are actively pursuing degrees as well. A lot of living can be crammed into 10 years, and no one knows that better than Dowell. He’s seen death in its cruelest form, felt the crushing weight of life-threatening dread and teetered on the edge of an emotional abyss. He’s also brought new life into

HOMEGROWN HEROES: 2006 MEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPS PAGE 3 OF 6 During a doctor’s appointment in November, Dow- Perhaps the best call was made to Dowell’s moth­ ell, on a whim, asked that blood be drawn and for­ er, Vicki, who tended to her husband and oldest son warded to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for and watched them deteriorate. testing. “I had to get off the phone with her because she “I was really struggling with it for a little while at the was screaming so loud I couldn’t take it,” Jake said. end of the summer and the start of the season,” he “I couldn’t understand a thing she said, but it was said of the decision. “There was a lot going on.” awesome.” Dowell, who’s played in 157 career NHL games Can a 30-year-old man be reborn? In this case, yes. with Chicago, Dallas and Minnesota, was out of work “I know it’s such a cliché to say it, but it feels like a until he tried out for the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate in weight’s been lifted off my shoulders,” he said. “It’s Rockford. so much lighter because I’m not thinking about it.” Luke wasn’t doing well, either, and that was com­ ESPN did an E:60 episode on Dowell’s plight two pounded by the fact his care facility was closing. years ago. They came back to film the joyous con­ There also was the matter of fatherhood. Jake and clusion last week. Not only is Dowell the captain of Carly became parents in July when Elizabeth Claire the Icehogs, he was chosen to play in the AHL All- was born. Star Game. “It all made me come back to thinking about (the “To finally know that I can just be normal is amaz­ test) and whether or not I was sick,” Dowell said. “I ing,” he said. said, ‘I’ve got to get that done.’” Dowell said he long wanted a family, but it never Three weeks passed before Dowell got a text mes­ crossed his mind that he’d ever have a daughter. A sage from his physician late on a Saturday afternoon. prenatal test comparing DNA samples determined “I’m leaving work in five minutes,” it said. “Call me.” little Ellie wasn’t a carrier of the HD gene. Dowell stepped out of the house and called know­ “I always thought about playing hockey, baseball ing he had a game that night. The best possible news and football with a little boy,” he said. was delivered. Elizabeth Claire now owns his heart. Carly didn’t know her husband had gotten the text “Whatever it is, I get to be around for it now,” Dow- or made the call. Her reaction? ell said. “It’s great.” “Just shock,” Jake said. As for his brother, Dowell said a woman who grew

After losing John (left) to Huntington’s disease in 2014, Jake Dowell and his mother, Vicki, learned in November that Jake does not possess the Huntington’s gene. He had a 50-50 chance of carrying the incurable condition, which also afflicts his brother, Luke.

HOMEGROWN HEROES: 2006 MEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPS PAGE 4 OF 6

“FROM THAT TEAM SPECIFICALLY IT WAS THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE BUYING INTO THEIR ROLE FOR THE BETTER OF THE TEAM,” DOWELL SAID. “SOMETIMES THAT’S A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW, BUT YOU DO YOUR THING AND WE END UP WINNING.”

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close to Luke during his stay at the care facility took Pavelski invoked during a recent flurry of emails. him into her home and now oversees his round-the­ “I’m pretty sure we own that trophy now,” he wrote. clock care. “We had to pay for it.” “It’s one of those things that unless you live it, Thirteen members of the team were from Wiscon­ you don’t have a clue what some of those people go sin, which is why their favorite memory might not be through,” Jake said. that come-from-behind win over BC before a parti­ The positive diagnosis made it easier for Dowell san sellout crowd of 17,758 at the Bradley Center. to reminisce about that fabled team from a decade “It’s easy to say the national championship game,” ago, one that finished 30-10-3 overall and remains Dowell said, “but the Lambeau Field game was one the signature achievement of the Eaves Era. To this of the coolest experiences.” day, most everyone is an enthusiastic participant on The Badgers defeated Ohio State 4-2 in the inau­ an email exchange. gural Frozen Tundra Classic at the iconic NFL facili­ “Just a good group of guys,” Dowell said, noting ty. Dowell didn’t know it at the time, but his future in- that Drewiske is the godfather to his child. “There’s laws, both Ohio State graduates, were in the stands so many little inside jokes that come out in all these that early February day. His future wife, meanwhile, emails, mocking everybody. It’s all in good fun and was a Wisconsin freshman cheering for the Badgers. everything. They’re things you may have forgotten “Small world,” Dowell said. about and it’s so funny.” Led by the Wisconsin natives, the victory was Like the trophy. The original developed some ― memorably celebrated with a collective Lambeau ahem ― blemishes during the title-winning celebra­ Leap. Oddly, Dowell has played at Lambeau Field, tion that lasted into the wee morning hours and be­ but never been there as a spectator to see the Pack­ yond. A replacement had to be purchased, which ers play there.

HOMEGROWN HEROES: 2006 MEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPS PAGE 5 OF 6 “Makes it even cooler,” he said. The men’s and women’s teams were close long before they picked up matching NCAA champion­ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? A look at the whereabouts of the members of ship trophies in 2006. The two-time captain of the Wisconsin’s 2006 national championship team: men’s team was Adam Burish, a senior winger. An assistant captain for the women’s team was his sis­ Andy Brandt – GM/head coach, Atlanta Gladiators ter, Nikki Burish, a senior center. Both grew up in (ECHL) Madison and shared gregarious personalities. Adam Burish – Forward, Vaxjo HC (Swedish Hockey “With Adam and Nikki being so close, they spent League) a lot of time together, so whenever Nikki would have Ross Carlson – Account manager, Farrell Equipment some of the girls from that team around when we and Supply (Eau Claire) were all getting together,” Dowell recalled. Shane Connelly – Assistant coach, Cedar Rapids Upon returning from Minneapolis, the newly Roughriders (USHL) crowned women’s titlists scrawled good-natured AJ Degenhardt – GM/head coach, Coulee Region challenges on a huge white board in a shared meet­ Chill (NAHL) ing room. When the bookends were secure, both Jake Dowell – Forward, Rockford IceHogs (AHL) teams shared the stage at a pep rally at the Kohl Davis Drewiske – Defenseman, Lehigh Valley Phan­ Center. toms (AHL) “It was really fun to be able to celebrate at the Robbie Earl – Forward, Farjestads BK Karlstad same time,” Dowell said. “It was pretty cool.” (Swedish Hockey League) Dowell was asked if there’s a prevailing lesson from Brian Elliott – Goaltender, St. Louis Blues (NHL) that team that rings true today. Josh Engel – Head coach, Arrowhead High School “From that team specifically it was the importance boys’ hockey (Hartland, Wis.) of people buying into their role for the better of the Matthew Ford – Forward, Bakersfield Condors (AHL) team,” he said. “Sometimes that’s a tough pill to swal­ Tom Gilbert – Defenseman, Montreal Canadiens (NHL) low, but you do your thing and we end up winning.” Tom Gorowsky – Manager, Financial Advisors LLC Dowell specifically cited the fourth line of center (Minneapolis) Andy Brandt and wingers A.J. Degenhardt and Nick Jeff Henderson – Lead consultant, Cumberland Licari for their unselfishness. Consulting Group (Minneapolis) “It’s hard to even imagine that that’s how deep our Ryan Jeffery – Partner and co-founder, 11 RONIIN team was,” Dowell said. (Chicago) Memories of that season ― how Elliott came back Andrew Joudrey – Forward, Mannheim Eagles from a knee injury to fortify a stirring playoff run; (Deutsche Eishockey League) how Pavelski emerged as a world-class talent; how Kyle Klubertanz – Defenseman, Nuermberg Thomas the team regrouped after a 3-7-1 stretch in January Sabo Ice Tigers (Deutsche Eishockey League) and February ― remain vivid 10 years later. Nick Licari – CPA at Licari, Larsen & Co. (Duluth, Minn.) Eaves said a brutal February weekend at Minne­ Jeff Likens – Defenseman, Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams sota State ― 6-4 and 7-3 losses that gave way to a (Deutsche Eishockey League) prolonged team meeting ― proved to be a vital emo­ Ryan MacMurchy – Forward, Mannheim Eagles tional kick-start. (Deutsche Eishockey League) “Something that appeared to be a real negative John Mitchell – Sales, Arthrex (Milwaukee) turned out to be the final piece of that team coming Matt Olinger – Account executive, Ricoh Business together,” Eaves said. “That’s what resonates about Solutions (Madison, Wis.) that team.” Joe Pavelski – Captain, San Jose Sharks (NHL) Its signature feature remains strong a decade later. Joe Piskula – Defenseman, San Diego Gulls (AHL) “It was a team that really knew how to have a heck Jack Skille – Forward, Colorado Avalanche (NHL) of a time,” Dowell said, “but also really knew how to Ben Street – Center, Colorado Avalanche (NHL) put the work in when we had to.”

HOMEGROWN HEROES: 2006 MEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPS PAGE 6 OF 6 DAVID STLUKA WHEN SHARON COLE FAUST AND HER WISCONSIN TEAMMATES REACHED THE PEAK IN 2006, LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THAT THEY WERE, IN ESSENCE, BUILDING A BASE CAMP THAT WOULD KEEP THE BADGERS NEAR THE SPORT’S PINNACLE FOR THE NEXT DECADE. WHETHER IT’S THE HIGH LEVEL OF PLAY TODAY’S BADGERS PUT ON DISPLAY OR THE HIGH-END RINK THEY NOW CALL HOME, COLE FAUST CAN CLEARLY SEE THE LASTING LEGACY OF THAT FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.

hen Sharon Cole Faust sits down to watch ranked third on the club in goals with 15 and third Wisconsin women’s hockey games these in points with 39. She finished with 105 points (37 Wdays, she’s not thinking about her extraor­ goals, 68 assists) in 147 career games. dinary legacy. “My dad came and visited and saw the baby, and Cole Faust was a senior winger and captain for the we went to a game and he turned to me and said, Badgers in 2006 when they won the first NCAA title ‘I’m not sure you would have made the team,’” Cole in program history. She subsequently became a no­ Faust said with a tiny laugh. “I’m like, ‘Dad, you table investor in LaBahn Arena, the modern on-cam­ don’t have to tell me that. I’m completely aware of pus hockey facility where that national champion­ how good they are now.’” ship banner now hangs with three others. It’s one thing to be good, but until you learn how Observing games from the stands, her 4-month­ to win there’s always going to be a void on your re­ old son Roman in tow, Cole Faust thinks in more sume. That’s one of the enduring gifts the ’06 club humble terms. She sees the speed, skill and athlet­ passed along and one of the things sure to be trum­ icism of today’s players across the board and won­ peted when members of that outfit come to Madison ders if she would even make the current Wisconsin this weekend for a 10-year reunion. roster, much less rank as one of the top point-getters Also to be celebrated is the unique history that was as she did a decade ago. made a decade ago. Two weeks after the women’s “They’re just so good,” Cole Faust said. team won the national title at Mariucci Arena in Min­ Bear in mind that Cole Faust, from Bloomington, neapolis, topping host Minnesota 3-0 in the final, Minnesota, was a top-line left winger as a senior who the Wisconsin men’s squad claimed the sixth NCAA DAVID STLUKA

’06 WOMEN'S HOCKEY CHAMPS: VIEW FROM THE TOP PAGE 2 OF 5 DAVID STLUKA

“WHEN I LOOK AT THE PLAYERS THAT ARE ON THE TEAM NOW I’M THINKING,“ ‘YEAH, IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO.’ JUST IN TERMS OF THE WOMEN’S GAME, IT’S GOTTEN SO MUCH BETTER. IT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE LEAPS AND BOUNDS.”

so much better. It continues to improve leaps and bounds.” Cole Faust and her contemporaries had a lot to do with that. She was one of five freshmen who showed up to work with first-year coach Mark Johnson in 2002. They won 22 games as rookies and got better every season: 25 victories in 2004, 28 in ’05 and 36 in ’06. A year after going on the road and losing to Dart­ mouth 4-3 in their NCAA tournament debut, the Badgers pushed the bar to a place it had never been before. In addition to four national titles, Wisconsin has been to the Frozen Four on four other occasions, produced four Patty Kazmaier Award recipients as national players of the year ― center Sara Bauer in 2006, goaltender Jessie Vetter in ’09, winger Meghan Sharon Cole Faust Duggan in ’11 and center Brianna Decker in ’12 ― and had 11 Olympians. crown in program history with a 2-1 victory over Bos­ Johnson, who’s on the verge of becoming the third ton College at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. women’s coach to win 400 career games, said his The women’s alums will be recognized Saturday players came back with a heightened sense of de­ during a Western Collegiate Hockey Association se­ termination after the loss to Dartmouth in ’05. ries with St. Cloud State at LaBahn. They will also be “The sense and the talk after the game was about singled out later that day during a men’s non-confer­ this (being) a stepping stone, an opportunity to try ence series with Alaska at the Kohl Center. and take the next step the next year, to prepare our­ No other school before or since as swept the men’s selves,” he said. “They worked out that summer and and women’s NCAA Division I hockey titles in the put themselves in a position mentally to take that same season. Minnesota and Boston College have next step. had opportunities to match the feat, but failed. Cole “It started that spring out in Dartmouth when we Faust said she keeps track every year and quietly left there. Disappointed that we got defeated, but a toasts the moment when it’s determined that no one learning process that helped us push forward and else will join the exclusive club. helped us win our first championship.” Ten years? Cole Faust said she remembers just That breakthrough title ushered in a stretch of about every detail about that fabled club and that sheer dominance. Wisconsin advanced to the NCAA magical season “like it was yesterday, but when I title game six times between ’06 and ’12, winning look at the players that are on the team now I’m in ’06, ’07, ’09 and ’11. The lone exception to the thinking, ‘Yeah, it was 10 years ago.’ string of Frozen Fours came in 2010, when Johnson “Just in terms of the women’s game, it’s gotten was coaching Team USA to a silver medal in the

’06 WOMEN'S HOCKEY CHAMPS: VIEW FROM THE TOP PAGE 3 OF 5 ▲ PHOTOS - Tap to pause/play ■ Swipe to change

Winter Olympics and had two of his best players ― made despite Cole Faust’s student loan debt that Duggan and winger Hilary Knight, the leading scorer she said was in excess of $100,000. in program history ― with him. “Part of me sees that donation as a gesture of ap­ “The legacy of the (2006) team is just the initiation preciation, giving back just a fraction of how I feel to of almost a dynasty,” Cole Faust said. “We can, 10 the athletic department and the school,” she said. years later, go back to games over and over again … “The other piece of that is that there are young wom­ and they’re still dominating. en coming up behind me and I want them to be able “It feels like the players on that team were the start to maximize their time here or just get the most of of the powerhouse. It paved the way for all the fol­ out of it.” lowing teams.” Instead of being headquartered at an aging facility Cole Faust graduated with a degree in pharmacy like the Camp Randall Memorial Sports Center ― in­ and married Jesse Faust, a Madison firefighter. They stead of needing to bounce to a variety of competi­ live on a farm on the outskirts of the city. She’s em­ tion rinks for practices and games ― the Badgers ployed as a pharmacy benefits manager for Navitus. now practice, play, eat, study and relax in a single One of Cole Faust’s treasures is a framed canvas state-of-the-art location adjacent to the Kohl Center. print of the opening faceoff for the 2006 national “Leaving for college can be a scary thing for kids,” championship game. It was a gift from her husband Cole Faust said. “They may not have the maturity and it hangs prominently in her office at work. (now) to realize what they have in front of them, but Speaking of gifts, Cole Faust followed up her on- there’s a first step to making them have that realiza­ ice efforts with one of similar value off of it. tion. When Wisconsin officials were soliciting donors for “Being able to go anywhere and tell your story is LaBahn Arena ― the 2,273-seat multi-purpose fa­ something that I don’t take lightly. I’m very proud of cility that cost $27.9 million and opened in 2012 that and very humbled by the pure amount of oppor­ ― she came through with $10,000. It’s the largest tunity that these situations have provided for me.” donation from a former women’s player and it was In addition to her degree, Cole Faust said the ed­

’06 WOMEN'S HOCKEY CHAMPS: VIEW FROM THE TOP PAGE 4 OF 5 ucation she got being part of a championship pro­ When the women returned from Minneapolis with gram pays dividends every day. their championship trophy in hand, players good-na­ “Interpersonal relationships, teamwork, commu­ turedly challenged the men to match their feat. nication and working toward a common goal,” she “Once we won, obviously we were really rooting for said. “I can’t really stress enough what some of them,” Cole Faust said. “We kind of knew the adren­ those intangibles are that you hone, that are provid­ aline rush and all that was in store waiting.” ed, through sport ― especially a sport where you’re Two weeks later, the men fulfilled their mission and kind of at the top of your game.” shared a celebratory stage with the women. Cole Faust said that ’06 team ― featuring two fu­ “We got to party all over again,” Cole Faust said, ture Patty Kazmaier winners noting that “nobody was be­ in Bauer and Vetter and ing showed up by the oth­ 22 student-athletes who “THE LEGACY OF THE TEAM IS JUST THE INITIATION er.” earned their degrees ― was OF ALMOST A DYNASTY,” COLE FAUST SAID. “IT When Cole Faust attends great in part because every­ games these days she’s FEELS LIKE THE PLAYERS“ ON THAT TEAM WERE THE one worked hard to relate to sometimes joined by Phoe­ START OF THE POWERHOUSE. IT PAVED THE WAY one another away from the be Monteleone Turner, who rink. FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING TEAMS.” was a junior winger on that “We just put things out ’06 club. The two happened there and addressed issues,” she said. “We were to be roommates on the road that season. Now really good on the ice, but we also worked together they’re wives and young mothers making their way to work through our issues off the ice.” in life. Speaking of relationships, the men’s and women’s “We kind of talk about everything coming full cir­ teams had a unique bond in 2006. One of the as­ cle,” Cole Faust said. sistant captains for the women’s team was senior The friends now watch the Badgers play knowing center Nikki Burish. The captain of the men’s team that a lot has happened to their game in 10 years. was senior winger Adam Burish. But members of that first national championship “Having siblings on each team pulled us closer,” team have something that will endure forever. Cole Faust said of the hard-nosed, fun-loving broth­ “The players on that team paved the way for the er and sister who grew up in Madison. players coming up,” Cole Faust said. DAVID STLUKA INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM DAVID STLUKA

Behold... the Power of the Paint Badgers use inside game, free throws to overpower Indiana, move to 4-4 in Big Ten

ake, miss. Make, miss. Miss, Make. TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE Three trips to the free throw line, three splits. M Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes remembered the second half sequence here Tuesday night. He also remembered to look to his right wrist for inspiration against a physically-gifted Indiana team that had won 12 straight and was going for a season sweep of the Badgers. “I remember why I got this tattoo on my wrist,” Hayes said. “It was a reminder.” He pulled up his sleeve to reveal three words. Love. Life. Fam­

SCROLL ily. They hold special meaning for Hayes. So do the accompany­ ing initials of his family members. “I got the tattoo as a reminder during the game that if I’m play­ ing well, they would be pleased with the way I’m playing and I would keep it up,” he said. “If I’m not (playing well), then I need to pick it up. I know in

missing all of those free throws, they wouldn’t be too happy with INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS that.” Hayes solved that problem. He didn’t miss another free throw. SOCIAL From the 4:34 mark of regulation through the five minute over- MEDIA: time, he went 11-of-11 from the stripe. That capped a memorable 31-point performance for Hayes who teamed with Ethan Happ and Jordan Hill to lift the Badgers to an invigorating 82-79 victory over the Hoosiers at the Kohl Center. “I’m so happy for our kids,” said UW coach Greg Gard, “and how they persevered and gutted this one out ― just how they’ve grown and developed and matured over the last five weeks.” A part of that development and maturity has taken place on offense. Relying far less on jump shots, the Badgers have been attacking the rim, especially Hayes & Happ, a dynamic low-post tag team. With the proper floor spacing, Gard knows how difficult that tandem can be to guard “when they’ve got their feet underneath them and they’ve got an alley to the rim.” The Power of the Paint. “All lay-ups and post moves,” said Gard, beaming. And free throws. After a slow start, Hayes went 17-of-22 from the line, matching a single-game school-record for most makes, a mark that was set by Dale Koehler ― 41 years ago. INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY KELLI GRASHEL ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS LEONARD CEDERHOLM

Badgers’ next step is finding way to finish Fourth-quarter rally against Minnesota proves UW won’t shy away from a fight

’m proud of the fight. Badgers, we always fight to the end; we TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE “ don’t ever give up.” I Bobbie Kelsey’s remarks at her press conference Monday nailed it right on the head: fighting is all the Badgers have done over their last two Big Ten games against a challenging pair of opponents. After being down 23 points against Minnesota, the Badgers showed their strongest fourth-quarter performance of the season; they outscored Minnesota 29-16 over the final period to close the gap in what became an 84-77 loss.

SCROLL “I like the fight. Some teams would pack it in and that’s it, and the game is over, but our kids never did that,” Kelsey added. “So we’re encouraging them to get in the gym, work on stuff, get your shots up, and not just being in there to be in there, but get some production going on in there, and they’ll see the results and the fruit of their labor if they do that.”

It was a similar scenario against No. 5-ranked Maryland, a INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS 2015 Final Four team, when the Badgers jumped out to a 20-15 first-quarter lead before surrendering 34 points in the second SOCIAL period. MEDIA: Despite the lopsided 90-65 loss, the Badgers battled and held the Terps under both their seasonal averages for scoring margin and rebounding margin. Maryland was outscoring opponents by an average of 29.5 points and outrebounding them by an aver- age of 18.2 boards per game. UW was outscored by 25 points and outrebounded by just nine. INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM GREN ANDERSON

Five takeaways from the Minnesota series Cameron Hughes speaks up and Jake Bunz progresses

ive takeaways from the Wisconsin men’s hockey team fol­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE lowing its Big Ten Conference series with Minnesota: F 1. Freshman defenseman Jake Bunz has seen limited ac­ tion for the Badgers this season ― even when he’s in the lineup ― but he’s earned more trust and ice time. “You see a kid that’s found different ways to impact the lineup,” Wisconsin associate head coach Luke Strand said. Bunz, from Middleton, was a bright spot in an otherwise frus­ trating weekend sweep at the hands of the Gophers. He was the only Wisconsin player to emerge from the 4-0 and 9-2 losses with

SCROLL a plus rating (plus-1) and continues to be the lone player on the roster in plus territory (plus-3). He also assisted on goal by soph­ omore center Cameron Hughes in the series finale and was on the ice for both Badgers conversions. Bunz has excellent size (6-foot-3 and 205 pounds) and athlet­ icism, but in 12 appearances to date he’s shown that he must

keep his game barebones simple to be effective. It looks like he’s INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS doing that on a more consistent, effective level. “I think he found a way to contribute to our group through im- SOCIAL proved practice, for sure, but then just confidence,” Strand said. MEDIA: “He’s shown well in certain situations. You’d love to see more situational growth occur, so maybe he could take the load off some other (players’) minutes.” 2. Another reason that Bunz figures to get more immediate playing time is that the Badgers (4-12-6 overall) will be without a prime piece on defense for their non-conference series with Alaska (7-13-4) on Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center. Senior captain Eddie Wittchow was assessed a five-minute ma- jor penalty and game disqualification for contact to the head fol- lowing his thunderous open-ice check on Minnesota center Tom- my Novak in the third period of the series finale. The DQ means Wittchow has to sit out the series opener with Alaska, but the Big Ten could tack on extra punishment. That’s what happened last January in Minneapolis following an- other game with the Gophers. Wittchow walloped winger Leon Bristedt with a similar hit ― on the rush in the neutral zone with a shoulder to the chin area ― and received a major penalty and DQ. The Big Ten directed Wittchow to miss an additional game. “I don’t think there’s a malicious intent of any sort by Eddie,” Strand said. However, since Novak landed hard on his back and head and had to be helped from the ice, Strand said he expects league of- ficials will “find something to add onto (the initial penalty).” 3. The Badgers played the series finale against Minnesota with- out freshman wing/center Luke Kunin, their top goal-scorer with nine. Strand said Kunin has an upper-body issue that needs rest. Strand wouldn’t rule Kunin out for the Alaska series, but sug- gested keeping him sidelined until Big Ten play resumes is a possibility. Wisconsin has a bye week after hosting the Nanooks, then plays Michigan at the Kohl Center Feb. 12 and 13. 4. Oddly enough, freshman goaltender Matt Jurusik allowed eight goals in the series finale, but didn’t have the loss go on his record. After giving up the first two conversions, Jurusik was pulled temporarily for senior Adam Miller. Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves explained that he made the move so Jurusik (4-10-5) could re- gain his focus before going back in. Jurusik returned, but not before Miller allowed what turned out to be the decisive goal. That’s why Miller (0-2-1) absorbed the loss. 5. Given the humbling sweep, Strand was asked if any note- worthy players’ voices were heard in the dressing room. “Cameron Hughes,” Strand offered. “In my opinion he’s a re- alist about the moment. Doesn’t get ahead of himself about what needs to be done. At the same time, he goes about it like a work- er as far as trying to find a solution for it. He’s got some balance. “The one thing about Hughsey is you’ll never find him talking out of both sides of his mouth because he does the work. He’s not skipping out on any point of his career, that’s for sure.” ■ INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY A.J. HARRISON ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

UW continues to enjoy comforts of home Last team to down Badgers on their home ice, St. Cloud State is back at LaBahn

fter a hard-fought sweep against eighth-ranked North Da­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE kota, the No. 2 Badgers wrap up their homestand by wel­ Acoming St. Cloud State for a weekend series at LaBahn Arena. UW entered the weekend with UND with a little extra motiva­ tion, as the Fighting Hawks were the only team to defeat and tie the 24-1-1 Badgers this season. The Badgers defeated North Dakota 1-0 on Saturday before earning a 3-1 win on Sunday. “It was a physical series,” UW head coach Mark Johnson said. “We’re not allowed to check, but if you watched any of the games or any of the periods, it was a physical game, it was a battle, very SCROLL tight. I was very pleased Sunday with the opportunity that we had late in the game on a power play, and to have Emily (Clark) score obviously helped us win the game.” Clark’s power-play tally proved to be the difference in the finale, giving the Badgers a 2-1 lead with just under 90 seconds left in

regulation. It marked UW’s first successful power-play conversion INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS of the weekend after going 0-for-6 with an extra skater prior to Clark’s strike. SOCIAL “Annie (Pankowski) did a great job of finding me in the slot and MEDIA: I had quite a bit of time to get the shot off,” Clark said. “We just took advantage of the opportunity.” It was a special weekend for Clark, as the Saskatoon, Saskatch- ewan, native’s parents made their first trip to Madison to watch her play. “It’s pretty special that they could be here for this game,” Clark said. “It just worked out with my parents being able to get off work. They knew it would be good games against North Dakota. It was a good weekend and (Sunday) was the cherry on top.” INSIDE TRACK & FIELD BY A.J. HARRISON ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS BRUCE KLUCKHOLN

Lorenzo Lightning: Larry making impact Already fifth in UW record books, transfer Lorenzo Larry feels the need for speed

orenzo Larry doesn’t take his time on the track, so it comes TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE as no surprise that the junior has wasted no time making his Lmark on the Wisconsin record books. The transfer, in his first season with the Badgers, clocked the fifth-best time in the 60 meters in program history over the week­ end in Minneapolis. Larry, a native of Jesup, Georgia, is a perfect 3-for-3 in his in­ dividual races for Wisconsin during the young indoor season. He opened his UW career with a win in the 60 meters on Jan. 16, clocking in a 6.79. Last weekend in the Badgers’ dual at Minnesota, Larry won SCROLL both the 60 and 200 meters; his time of 6.73 in the 60 ranks fifth all-time at UW and trails only Demi Omole, Michael Bennett, B.J. Tucker and Robert Hackett ― some elite company. “Once I had a coach that was really going break down my race piece by piece, I knew that I would be faster and I would get fast­

er,” Larry said. “I ran my fastest I have ever run this past weekend INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS at Minnesota. I obviously made the right choice.” Breaking down Larry’s races is UW assistant coach Kareem SOCIAL Jackson, who oversees the sprints for the Badgers. The duo have MEDIA: been studying video to see where Larry can cut a few hundredths of a second off his times. “Within his races there are a few things we are really focusing on: his acceleration pattern through 10 meters, how that affects his transition in the 15 meters,” Jackson said after a recent video session with Larry. “I mean, honestly, this is Week 21 (of training) and we’ve only gotten up to the part where he’s running 40 meters of a 60-me- ter race. We haven’t even gotten to the point where he’s running 60 meters of a 60-meter race. It takes a while and he’s doing his thing. He’s showing up at the track and getting it done.” A two-time All-American at the junior college level, Larry end- ed up picking the Badgers after spending two years at Spartan- burg Methodist College in South Carolina due to the camaraderie he felt with not only his soon-to-be teammates, but the Badgers’ coaches as well.