Varsity Magazine Vol 3 No 1

CATCHING ON If DB Michael Trotter has the ball in his hands on game day — as in this drill — it’s good sign for the Badgers’ defense. Trotter and his teammates opened Fall Camp Monday with the first of 23 practices. PHOTO BY ROSS LADUE IN FOCUS IN FOCUS DOWN AND DIRTY Freshman goalkeeper Chase Rau hit the deck to stop a shot during the men’s soccer team’s opening practice Wednesday at the Badgers’ University Bay practice field. UW has a pair of exhibition matches before opening the season at Memphis on Aug. 24. PHOTO BY ROSS LADUE

AUGUST 9, 2012 CONTENTS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1

» THE SEASON TO COME Football head coach Bret Bielema sits down with Mike Lucas to discuss changes to his staff, les- 24 sons learned in winning back-to-back Big Ten titles and the Badgers’ drive for three in a row. DEPARTMENTS

10 LUCAS AT LARGE by Mike Lucas 12 BEHIND THE DESK by Barry Alvarez » CALLED TO THE HALL 14 THE VOICE 32 Cory Raymer came to Wisconsin as a defensive lineman by Matt Lepay and left as an All-America center. Dick Bennett came to UW with a 16 BY THE NUMBERS plan that led to one of the Badgers’ crowning achievements. The Facts and figures on UW duo lead a class of six inductees to the UW Athletics Hall of Fame. football, volleyball, men’s soccer and Badgers in the Olympics

» OLYMPICS 18 ASK THE BADGERS 54 Nine athletes repre- Olympic memories sented Wisconsin at the 2012 Olympics in London. 20 BADGERING... Volleyball coach Pete Waite Take a look back on the efforts of those current and former 58 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Badgers at the Games of the Badgers make mark in Beijing XXX Olympiad.

Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711

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Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications

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Brian Mason Managing Editor

Mike Lucas Senior Writer

Matt Lepay Columnist

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Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Patrick Herb, Ross LaDue, Diane Nordstrom, Anna Poulter-Hendrickson, Jeremy Wodajo

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Grind of camp helps answer questions s a fifth-year senior, UW of- Wagner, who has 24 career the starting quarterback? Danny fensive tackle Ricky Wagner starts, is a fixture on the offensive O’Brien? Curt Phillips? Joel Stave? Ahas been conditioned to line along with center Travis Fred- Who’s going to complement Jared the rigors of a preseason training erick (17 starts). Left guard Ryan Abbrederis at wide receiver? camp. He knows the demands and Groy and right tackle Rob Haven- On defense, who’s going to re- challenges. But that doesn’t make it stein are pretty sure things, too. place Jordan Kohout in the defen- any easier. Who will wind up starting at sive tackle rotation? Who’s going to “Training camp is one of the right guard is far less certain. put consistent pressure on the op- hardest things you can do in the Senior Robert Burge and sopho- posing quarterback? David Gilbert? football world,’’ said the 6-foot- more Kyle Costigan, a converted Brendan Kelly? Other? 6, 322-pound Wagner. “It’s more defensive tackle, are the leading Some of the answers will be- emotionally and mentally drain- contenders for the job. gin to surface over the next three ing than it is physical. You can weeks of training camp. Yes, the get through the physical aspect. daily grind can be tough on the You train (in the offseason) to get “Training camp is one players. But the coaches are also through that. But just being emo- of the hardest things you dealing with challenges. tionally and mentally into every can do in the football “The toughest thing for me is practice is hard.’’ He smiled faintly world. It’s more emotion- just really not swaying, not com- and said, “I think after four years I promising,’’ said Azzanni, one of can do that fine.’’ ally and mentally drain- six new assistants on the staff. “It’s Wagner is carrying more weight ing than it is physical.” going to get hot and receivers run a — literally and figuratively — on lot (during practice). But we can’t the practice field than his freshman back off. You have to go with what year, when he was a 262-pound Two-a-days can be telling in this you believe in, and keep pound- walk-on tight end from West Allis. respect. Observed offensive line ing.’’ Potentially, he’s now a No. 1 draft coach Mike Markuson, “This is a What’s the best thing about pick. great time to really study the game, camp? “I absolutely love the fact But to get where he wants to go, especially for guys who take it seri- that there are no distractions,’’ said Wagner knows that he can’t take ous. It’s a great learning curve.’’ defensive line coach Charlie Par- any shortcuts; nor can any of his In addition, he said, “It’s the tridge, noting that the players are Badger teammates, especially dur- mental part that they have to get solely committed to football before ing the toughest part of any camp, over, and you have to help them the fall semester gets underway. two-a-days. “The toughest thing get through it — the mental grind “They’re all in, and it’s a great time for a player is not looking ahead — of the full days and all those days to move forward.’’ coming into it (training camp) and (practices) yet to come.’’ Azzanni is on the same page of going, ‘Oh, my goodness, we have No position group has been dealt the playbook. “I like the fact that three weeks of this,’’’ said UW wide a harder blow via graduation losses we’re all together, all the time,’’ he receivers coach Zach Azzanni. the last two years than the O-line. said. “There are no outside people “The toughest thing is getting The roll call: Gabe Carimi, John coming in, no outside forces. them to focus on one meeting at a Moffitt, Bill Nagy, Kevin Zeitler, Nobody knows what these kids, time, one drill at a time, one prac- Peter Konz and Josh Oglesby. coaches, trainers and managers tice at time because if they do look That’s a major storyline. To are going through but us, and I like ahead, they get overwhelmed.’’ be sure, there are others. Who’s that.’’

10 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM BEHIND THE DESK BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

National issues made for busy summer

’ve had two interesting experi- the 35-to-50-year-old range. member having so many meetings ences this summer with alumni More recently, I went to Boston or conference calls. Igroups in Chicago and Boston. with Mike Knetter, the head of the We’ve had more communication In both cases, I was impressed UW Foundation. We enjoyed a for a number of reasons, and I take with what I call “our young lions’’ similarly positive experience over my hat off to Big Ten commission- — former Wisconsin football play- two days with a smaller group of er Jim Delany, who kept everyone ers. our alums. aware and abreast on what was Matt Joki, Matt Unertl and The first night was very casual going on. young Lou Holland helped spear- and informative. We talked about There was the breakdown of the head the event in Chicago. They some projects that we have on scheduling consortium with the wanted to do something to rally campus and we let them know Pac-12. There was the new four- our alums, young and old alike, about some of the things that we’re team national playoff that will and they succeeded. doing in fundraising. debut in 2014. And there was Penn It was a first-class deal, a beauti- The next day, we had a func- State. ful night. They ended up having tion at Fenway Park. We met some Trust me, everybody is reading a group of about 200 people at great people and it was not just the Freeh Report; everybody is Trump Tower Chicago. There was limited to former athletes. taking a look at their chain of com- a Q-and-A, a raffle and a presenta- Graduates from the UW Busi- mand and their institutional con- tion from doctors that specialize in ness School and other colleges trol to make sure that they have a treating Alzheimer’s. were involved. checks-and-balances in place. Lou’s father, Lou Holland Sr., I did get to see one of my old Then, if something happens, you who was inducted into our UW players, Rob Roell, who was can deal with it in a proper way. Athletic Hall of Fame last year, recruited out of Iron Mountain, That was kind of the message has been battling Alzheimer’s in a Mich., and played on the defensive that we delivered to our people a Chicago-area assisted living facil- and offensive line with our Rose year ago after issues at Ohio State ity. Bowl teams in the late ‘90s. and Michigan and some other At the end of the day, they Rob has done very well in the schools like North Carolina, Cen- raised $200,000 for Alzheimer’s money management business, tral Florida and Miami. research. They want to make it a which is no surprise since he was We told them, “Put your anten- yearly deal. an Academic All-Big selection. na up and don’t stick your head in From my standpoint, it was re- His wife, Andrea, is a former UW the sand. If you see something that ally nice to see some of our former trainer. doesn’t look quite right — talk to players and athletes pulling some- As a head coach, I always tried us — go to your supervisor.’’ thing like this together — mobiliz- to talk to my players about giving We had a couple of situations ing our Chicago alums, especially back someday to the school and that potentially could have been the younger ones. the program, and it’s nice to see larger issues had we not gotten We have to reach out and recon- some of them follow through with after it and followed through the nect with them. We want them that type of commitment. right way and made some correc- involved. Some of these guys are As a Big Ten athletics director, tions. just starting to make it now, and I can say that this has been a most I was very pleased with the way we need that next generation in eventful summer. I don’t ever re- our people dealt with things.

12 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS THE VOICE MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS

Good work going on behind the scenes f college football had an offsea- nings stand out. fered a spectacular view of the city son, it ended earlier this week For more than a quarter cen- on a beautiful summer evening. At Iwith the opening of training tury, the Madison Chapter of the the suggestion of Mr. Fetzer, the camps across the country. NFL Alumni has raised money for Buckingham Club exists to help Then again, it seems as though several area groups, including the UW Athletics, as well as another news from the college game never Boy Scouts and American Family university-related entity. On this went away. There is conference re- Children’s Hospital. The banquet particular night, Wisconsin alums alignment. In two years, there will program includes hearing from generated more than $200,000 for be a change in the postseason. some of the young boys and girls the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Insti- Unfortunately, there has been who benefit from the generous tute, which is dedicated to people more unpleasant off-the-field donations. Former Badger foot- and families affected by the dis- news. Certainly, both college and ball players Bob Landsee and Joe ease. Among the speakers was Lou pro football have taken some pub- Armentrout are among those who Holland Jr., a football letterwinner lic relations hits. Do not be fooled spend a ton of time putting the and proud son of Lou Holland Sr., into thinking that all is wrong with whole thing together. the football star and UW Athletic sports. Former players from many eras Hall of Famer. Lou Sr. continues This is in no way an attempt carve out time in their schedules his own battle with Alzheimer’s. to ignore the problems that exist. to take part, including Pat Richter, Multiple sports stars of yester- There are issues, and there is work Dale Hackbart, Stu Voigt, Matt year turned out, including Blake to be done. However, as a strength VandenBoom, Bud Keyes and Geoffrion and Michael Finley. So and conditioning coach might say, Tarek Saleh, just to name a few. many other familiar names and “It’s been a great summer. The Through the years, the NFL Alum- faces for Badgers fans, includ- guys have worked hard and made ni Madison Chapter has generated ing John Josten and Tim Stracka themselves better.” well into the seven figures to help from football, Jeff Petersen, Andy Only in this case I am not talk- local charities. Kilbride and Billy Douglass from ing about the weight room or the Earlier in July there was another basketball. There were many oth- running of hills. The University of event that blew me away. A group ers. It was an amazing night, and Wisconsin takes great pride in hav- of former UW student-athletes hopefully it is the start of some- ing student-athletes who help in that includes ex-football players thing big in Chicago and beyond. the community. Every year players Matt Joki and Matt Unertl, as well Yes, there are problems in put in hundreds of hours to help as Scott Wick, a track athlete from college athletics. It is healthy to those in need. They seek no public- more than a decade ago, started a discuss them and work to find ity. They enjoy the interaction, and group called The Buckingham Club solutions. But there is much to like no doubt such community service of Chicago. With the help of Wade about the games people play. What efforts can touch the hearts of ev- Fetzer (Wade and his wife Beverly remains special about the Univer- eryone involved. made possible the Fetzer Academic sity of Wisconsin is so many alums What is extra special about UW Center at Camp Randall and the keep giving long after the cheering student- athletes is that the belief Kohl Center), the club’s goal is to stops. in helping others continues long reach out to fellow UW alums in It has been a pretty good sum- after their playing days conclude. the Chicago area. mer. I saw a lot of hard work in Every summer I have the opportu- For the Buckingham Club’s first the offseason. It is exactly the kind nity to witness several such events. shindig, the group secured the of work that makes many people In the last month, a couple of eve- Terrace at Trump Tower, which of- better.

14 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012

BY THE NUMBERS

Assistant coach Mike Markuson’s 16 offensive linemen weigh in at an average of 321.4 pounds.

FOOTBALL OLYMPICS The 16 offensive Former Badger Evan Jager 321.4 linemen that 64 raced to an impressive sixth- reported for fall place finish in the 3000-meter camp this week combined to weigh in at steeplechase Sunday at the Olympics in just over 2.5 tons. The O-line averages London — in just his seventh attempt at the 321.4 pounds per player, with freshman event. The performance by Jager was the Dan Voltz the lightest at 301 pounds and best Olympic showing by a track athlete sophomores Rob Havenstein and Riki Ko- with UW ties in 64 years — since Lloyd La- danko topping the chart at 342 each. Beach won bronze in the 100 meters at the 1948 Games, also in London.

VOLLEYBALL MEN’S SOCCER Junior Annemarie Goalkeeper Max Jen- 4.77 Hickey returns as the 0.64 tsch returns for his ju- Badgers’ libero after nior season after lead- leading the Big Ten with 4.77 digs per set ing the Big Ten with a 0.64 goals-against last season. Along with Hickey, UW returns average in conference games last season. five starters from last year’s team as head He finished the year with five shutouts and coach Pete Waite begins his 13th season at also led the league with a .867 save per- Wisconsin. centage in Big Ten play.

16 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 Assistant coach Mike Markuson’s 16 offensive linemen weigh in at an average of 321.4 pounds. Question of the Week: Ask The What is your first memory BADGERS of the Olympic Games?

MAVERICK DARLING • SENIOR • MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY “It’s not my first Olympic memory, but the memory I’ll always have was from 2008 when Usain Bolt broke the world record in the 100 meters. I was sitting there watching on TV, and I ended up throwing my bowl of popcorn everywhere when he broke the record because I knew he would change track and field for everyone in the world. And he did.”

LINDSEY HAMANN • SENIOR • WOMEN’S SOCCER “My first Olympic memory I can vividly remember was watching Shawn Johnson win gold at the 2008 Olympics. I wanted to be just like her but then I realized I couldn’t even do 1 pull-up, so gymnastics was totally out of the picture.”

RYAN BUDA • JUNIOR • MEN’S SOCCER “The first time I really remember the Olympics is the 2000 Summer Olympics, which took place when I was 8. I remember seeing the torch being carried on TV and watching track events, and the only name that sticks out in my mind is Michael ’’Johnson, the sprinter. I watched it at home and also in summer school.”

BAILEY RESHEL • SENIOR • VOLLEYBALL “My earliest memory of the Olympics would be the winter games of 1998, watching Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan in figure skating. I skated until I was 10 and admired both at that time. I remember being extremely jealous that they were old enough to do triple jumps and I was still too little to even work on a double!”

18 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012

BADGERING...

PETE WAITE »» VOLLEYBALL COACH Your team began practicing this week. What are the team goals for the season? “Our goal is to be in the NCAA tournament at the end of the season so we have to get better every week. Every match is going to be important so sustaining a high level of play is going to be critical.” You return a strong group of starters/letter winners for this season. What’s it going to take to see you team make the next step? “Every one of our returners has to be more mature and consistent in their skills and approach to training. We have some exciting talent in the gym and they’re capable of great thing. To earn the wins they have to bring a solid work ethic and determination to every aspect of their lives.”

You have two new assistant coaches on your bench. What do Coley and Dan Pawlikowski bring to the team? “Coley and Dan bring a great passion for the game that is exciting for the players. Coley focuses on defense and Dan runs the offense. They connect with the players really well and are able to raise the level of every player on the court. I’m really glad that they started with us in the spring so that they can hit the ground running now as we get into fall practices.” What did you learn from watching the Olympic volleyball teams and/or what can you apply to your team? “I saw some great volleyball and what I loved seeing the most was the competitive drive and relentless determination. What’s more important than what I saw, was what our team saw. I’m sure each of our players watched those games and learned things they can bring to our team. The Olympians are inspiring and they’ve gone through the same learning process as our team. If our players mimic the volleyball they saw in the Olympics, we’ll be doing pretty well.”

What sports did you enjoy watching during the Olympics (besides volleyball)? “I swam competitively growing up so that’s always one of my favorites, but I really watched just about everything. Ping Pong is crazy fast and water polo is really brutal. Trampoline gets SO high and the crashes in gymnastics can make me cringe. I was also very impressed with the women’s pole vaulters. All of the Olympics athletes are amazing!”

20 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM

24 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 NAMES CHANGE, GOALS REMAIN New faces abound as the Badgers prepare for 2012, but the focus is still fixed on winning a third-straight Big Ten title

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM ne by one, the assistant coaches ding anniversary in June, spent the weekend in trickled out of the Wisconsin Madison with Bret and Jen, his bride of 21 weeks football offices in Camp Randall and counting. Who’s counting? Bret. But he’s only Stadium, most of them beating spoofing — playing to the crowd — maybe to break the noon deadline imposed Fri- the monotony of getting asked repeatedly about his day by head coach Bret Bielema. decision to abandon bachelorhood. With Sunday’s reporting date and Monday’s At Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, he responded Oopening of training camp, Bielema wanted to make to a question on how marriage is affecting things sure his assistants got some quality time with fam- with a countdown: “(It’s) nineteen weeks and five ily and friends before the grind begins anew. days that we’ve been into this relationship.’’ He So he sent everybody home. then deadpanned, “It’s because I get reminded on This was the equivalent of taking a deep breath; a daily basis, not that I knew that stat.’’ a 48-hour hall pass; the calm before the storm. Later, he said, “Hopefully it’s going to make me Bielema took advantage of the furlough from a smarter and wiser and more mature coach.’’ He football in his own way. Friday night, he cooked was talking about his marriage, not his cooking, dinner for his mom and dad, Marilyn and Arnie, which is also a settling influence in his life. who made the 100-mile drive from Prophetstown, “It does relax me, I’ve always enjoyed it,’’ he said. Ill. “I always used to help my mom in the kitchen with His parents, who celebrated their 52nd wed- the cooking and I had a sister who baked and that

26 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 “It is what it is,’’ Bielema said of the high expectations for this year’s team. “It’s a sign of respect. It’s something that I know helps in recruiting and helps your program in other areas.”

Part of the routine — the final weekend before the start of the preseason training camp routine — is for Bret to play a round of golf with his dad on Saturday morning. Rounding out the foursome are usually Keith May, a director in the athletic devel- opment office; and Rev. Michael Burke, the pas- tor who married Bret and Jen at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish. “Father Mike got a hole-in-one when we played two years ago,’’ Bielema said, “and he claims that the last two Big Ten championships were because of it.’’ No Wisconsin team has ever won three consecu- tive league titles, which is part of the challenge awaiting Bielema and the 2012 Badgers, who are kind of intrigued me a little bit. the favorites in the Leaders Division. “I’ve never taken a cooking class; I’ve never read Make that consensus favorites since neither a book on cooking. It’s the kind of thing where I’ve Ohio State, nor Penn State, is eligible for postsea- either seen something (prepared) in a restaurant or son competition, including the Big Ten champion- it just comes together in my mind.’’ ship game in Indianapolis. Bielema can be quite creative with his menu, al- Being cast in the favorite’s role is not a burden to though he started Friday’s dinner with a standard Bielema. “It is what it is,’’ he said. “It’s a sign of re- lettuce wedge; blue cheese dressing and French spect. It’s something that I know helps in recruiting drizzle, and some black olives. The sides included and helps your program in other areas.’’ sautéed spinach with red onion and a little bit of Despite the elevated national profile, Bielema garlic and olive oil; and stir fry (a Bielema staple) can’t help but think about how much higher it could with brown rice and peas. Marinated steak filets have been had victory not slipped through Wiscon- were the main course. sin’s grasp against TCU and Oregon in back-to- “I do like experimenting, which I’ll usually do back Rose Bowls. when it’s just Jen and I,’’ he said. “I also love to “If you didn’t care who won, if you didn’t have a turn some music on; relax and let everyone enjoy favorite, they were both great games to watch,’’ he the meal as I cook and prepare.’’ said. “On the flip side, in that caliber of a BCS game, On this night, Marilyn and Arnie dined with you’re playing a great team in all phases. Frank Sinatra while Jen listened to Michael Buble. “You have to be prepared … on offense, defense

27 and special teams. You also have to have the ball Bielema’s memory bank even has a deposit from bounce your way a little bit.’’ his playing days at Prophetstown High School. One play, in particular, from last year’s Rose “As a senior, I remember being in the locker room Bowl underlines that point. after our last game of the season,’’ said Bielema, Trailing 45-38, the Badgers were driving when who was then getting most of his snaps on offense a normally sure-handed wide receiver, Jared Ab- at tight end. brederis, caught a pass from quarterback Russell “We lost a playoff game to St. Bede Academy. We Wilson and fumbled on the Oregon 27. had a pretty good team and I thought we could “And the ball doesn’t move an inch,’’ Bielema la- have gone further. But we met up with a really good mented. “It just dies on the grass.’’ team.’’ Had the football rolled out of bounds, the Bad- Sometimes that happens; the other guy is just gers would have maintained possession. But they little bit better in one phase or another. Over the didn’t get the favorable (or any) bounce, and Or- last three seasons, TCU is 36-3, Oregon is 34-6 and egon linebacker Michael Clay recovered the fumble. Wisconsin is 32-8. “As a coach,’’ Bielema said, “you take every win or So is the frustration in losing partly linked to not loss, and you try to improve.’’ fulfilling expectations? Some hurt more than others; some are harder “That, and they just hurt so bad,’’ Bielema said. to delete from your memory. “People always say “Obviously, we’ve won a lot of games here (UW is you learn a lot more from losses than you do from 60-19 over the last six seasons), but I don’t think wins,’’ Bielema said. “But my memory of wins is so I could be a football coach who’s 2-9 very often. minimal compared to my memory of losses. That’s some tough stuff to live through.’’ “In those losses, you swear that you can count off Bielema can still remember losing to Michigan in every second in your mind.’’ 1992; Iowa’s only loss of the season.

28 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012

“I remember we had a lead and lost and we were to “some of the things that I’ve had to go through 10-1 going into the bowl,’’ he said. “If we would the last five years professionally.’’ have gone undefeated, you never knew in those That would be true on and off the field. Clear- days about playing for a national championship. ly, the staff turnover has been noteworthy. This “There’s quite a few (losses) that stick in my spring, Bielema had to break in six new assistant mind. When I was at Iowa, there was one where coaches, including an offensive coordinator. we had a last-second fluke play go against us in an “I’ve gotten a good base with them during spring Ohio State game. ball and all the time we’ve spent in meetings,’’ “We’re on defense and the ball should have been Bielema said. “But nothing will prepare us as knocked down but it bounces up in the air and much as a game day will on Sept. 1. their receiver catches it in full-stride and runs into “We just had a wives appreciation dinner and we the end zone. Things like that you don’t forget.’’ had all the assistants and their wives together — Like the heartbreaking last-second losses to about 30 people around the table — and the en- Ohio State and Michigan State this past season. ergy and the buzz were there, and that’s fun to see. “You’ve got to roll with it,’’ he stressed. “The part “Just because of all the new faces, it has kind of that I never minimize is this: As hard as I take brought a different element. I brought these guys these losses as a head coach, and as hard as our in and I want to see them produce and have suc- players take it, our fans take the losses as hard, as cess with their respective position groups. I proba- well. bly have a higher excitement level than ever before “They live and die on every breath and grasp of (for the start of a season).’’ those games.’’ What was Bielema’s message to the players Suggesting experience is always the best teacher, when they convened on Sunday? Bielema attributed much of his coaching maturity “It’s a grind,’’ he said of training camp. “You just

“Just because of all the new faces, it has kind of brought a different element. I brought these guys in and I want to see them produce and have success with their respective position groups. I probably have a higher excitement level than ever before (for the start of a season).’’

30 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 VIDEO: BIELEMA PREVIEWS 2012 SEASON can’t show up and play good football on Saturdays. You can’t desire to be average, to go with the crowd. You have to prepare yourself to play well in prac- Those people are going to fall by the wayside.’’ tices and that isn’t an easy thing.’’ Greatness doesn’t just happen and talent is not Especially in August. “Hopefully it will be 100 the only measuring stick. “You can be faster, big- degrees a couple of days to make it tougher,’’ said ger, stronger and throw farther but that’s only go- Bielema, adding that he wants his players “to ap- ing to be one percent of the world,’’ Dungy said. preciate it (camp) and respect the game.’’ Expanding on the central theme, Dungy con- A common practice at this level. Interestingly, cluded, “Most people have to be uncommon by one of the books that Bielema read this summer having the desire to do things that everybody else was “Uncommon: Finding your Path to Signifi- could, but doesn’t.’’ cance’’ authored by Tony Dungy, the former coach That really falls into line with the developmen- of the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Bucca- tal aspect of the UW program. “Four weeks from neers and now a color analyst on NBC. The book now,’’ Bielema said of his wish list for camp, “I title relates to a quote from Cal Stoll, who coached want our good players to have survived. You have Dungy at the University of Minnesota. “Success is to have a little bit of luck in the injury category and uncommon,’’ Stoll said. “Therefore, not to be en- everything that goes into it. joyed by the common man. “I also want to know at the end of four weeks “I’m looking for uncommon people.’’ who that core group is — the 70 players that we’ll When Dungy was a 17-year-old freshman, he take on the road — that will help us win games on said that Stoll gathered the class together and the road as well as at home. preached that those who succeeded — and not all “We’ve probably got 50 (identified). It’s those would — “are going to do it with uncommon ef- other 20 that we have to find. Whether they’re fort.’’ Dungy elaborated, “They’re going to do it freshmen, whether they’re guys who have been in with uncommon drive. And you can’t be average. reserve roles in the past, we’ve got to find them.’’

31 UW Athletics

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2012 UW Athletics

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2012 THE DREAMER

Dick Bennett came to Wisconsin with a plan, selling a dream that became a reality when he led the Badgers to the Final Four in 2000

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM

n March 31, 1995, Dick Bennett was introduced as Wisconsin’s new basketball coach. Not that he needed a formal introduction. Bennett was no stranger to anyone in the state after turning around programs at Eau Claire High School, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Green Bay. But he was in a different state of mind that day with the Badgers. O“It’s scary and, of course, exciting,’’ Bennett said of the job opportunity. “I sense the challenge of a lifetime for me. But I have a plan. I even have a picture in my mind of how we have to do it.’’ Wisconsin was his dream job, and he didn’t hesitate to encourage others to dream along with him. That was the theme for Year One: Start the Dream. And that slowly evolved — defensive slide step by slide step — over the next five seasons to “Reach for the Dream’’ and “Touch the Dream.’’ After the Badgers outlasted Purdue, 64-60, in the West Regional final of the 2000 NCAA Tournament, Bennett stood in front of his players and said, “I never thought I was going to be able to say this to a team, but now you can live the dream — and the dream is a trip to the Final Four.’’’ Some thought it was the impossible dream. Improbable was more fitting. But what about indelible? Surely that Final Four will forever be part of Bennett’s legacy, which will now include his 2012 induction into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. “I’m very thankful and grateful that it’s happening,’’ he said. “I didn’t think I was there long enough for them to want to do something like that.’’ Pausing before continuing, he said, “But I do appreciate those who felt that I was worthy.’’

34 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 THE DREAMER

35 Bennett had so many others in mind, though; achievement, he politely declined to describe it as more worthy than himself. such. Instead he felt there was something else that Recognition was always shared — just like the would be more suitably defining. “It was the- pro basketball — and the rewards. cess, the painful process,’’ he said. “Every hall of fame is a celebration of the players,’’ That started when he took the UW job in 1995. said the 69-year-old Bennett. “There isn’t a coach “I was brought in to turn the program around,’’ alive who has the ability to pull off a successful he said. “I told (athletic director) Pat Richter that it season, or a series of seasons, without tremendous would take five years to do it, and if I did it, every- people. That’s what it’s truly about. one would know that I had done it. And if we had “Coaches are tremendously overrated in most failed, everyone would have known that, too. ways. The only time they are underrated is when “Our goal, and when I say our goal, it was a real they lose. I learned that a long time ago. I had more team effort, but our goal was to turn the program people tell me way back when that you will prob- around and I believed that happened … what I re- ably do some of your best coaching in losing years.’’ member and cherish is the process it took to get When Bennett was asked about the Final Four there. We didn’t deviate. We took our licks, and appearance in the context of it being his crowning there were a few of them.

36 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 “We stayed the course; at least until we got the basketball, there’s no question. And I think about program where we thought it would be a lot better that often. than it was, and it would likely continue that way … “I felt that I needed to do it (retire) then; I was we achieved a level of respect and we changed the kind of at my wit’s end. I felt that if I stayed I might culture in terms of what fans expected and how we hurt the kids because I could feel the fuse was lit. would do things.’’ I thought this was the best thing to do and hope- Bennett confided that he would do one thing fully it would work out for Brad — and it did, and over again, if he had the chance. He would not it didn’t.’’ have retired three games into the 2000-01 season; Bennett has never been able to say enough good a move predicated on burnout; a move which put things about those players who helped carry the his trusted assistant, Brad Soderberg, on the firing Badgers to the Final Four. “It was such a remark- line as the interim head coach. able experience for a group of guys, none of whom Given a re-do, Bennett said, “I would have stayed were recognized individually (on the All-Big Ten that one extra year, and who knows what would teams),’’ he said. have happened … if I would have stayed that would That was their achievement, not his, he reiter- have basically saved Brad Soderberg in Division I ated; an inscription for his hall of fame plaque.

37 THE BELIEVER THE BELIEVER

By embracing change, Cory Raymer became one of the best ever at his position and helped jump-start the re-birth of Badger football

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM

hen Cory Raymer left Fond du Lac, Wis., and ar- rived on the UW campus as a freshman, the thought never crossed his mind that he would leave Madi- son four years later as a consensus All-America center. There was a very good reason for that, too. W“I had never played center in my life,’’ he said with a hearty laugh. Raymer was originally projected as a defensive lineman coming out of Goodrich High School. “All of a sudden, the first day of training camp, I got introduced to Bill Callahan,’’ he said of the former offensive line assistant under head coach Barry Alvarez. “He came up to me and says, ‘We’re going to try you at center.’ And I was miserable. What the hell am I doing at center?’’ Good question. But he came up with the right answer. Or, rather, they did. By putting his faith and trust in Callahan and Alvarez, and by learning the nuances of the position, Raymer started his last four games as a freshman and developed into the most decorated center in school history. In 1994, he was named a first-team All-American by seven different national publications. “I don’t know what they (Callahan and Alvarez) saw in me, but it was a stepping stone to my career in the NFL,’’ said Raymer, a second- round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in 1995 who went on to survive 11 seasons with the Redskins (two tours of duty) and the San

39 “Growing up there (the UW) was special — it was the greatest time of my life... I learned more in that one year (1993) than I did in my entire life put together.’’

for the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. Three years ago, he was present when one of his former Badger teammates, offensive tackle Joe Panos, was inducted. Panos was a co-captain of that ’93 team. Reflecting on that special mix of UW players that ended a 31-year Rose Bowl drought, Raymer said, “The whole team came together that year and we were surprising ourselves. I still believe he (Alvarez) didn’t think we would be as successful as we were that quickly.’’ Raymer said there was nothing complex about their game plan or what it took to succeed “when you have a bunch of no- Diego Chargers. bodies and no-names that just “Growing up there (the UW) was special — it show up and they click; and when you have a team was the greatest time of my life. If there was such that understands what it is to be an underdog and a thing as Groundhog Year instead of Groundhog what hard work is all about. ’’ Day, I would go back and do it and not feel cheat- Raymer and Panos anchored an offensive line ed in life whatsoever. which also featured tackle Mike Verstegen and “I learned more in that one year (1993) than I guards Joe Rudolph and Steve Stark. As a group, did in my entire life put together.’’ they never got cheated on the field, or off. “We had Raymer couldn’t be happier to be returning a lot of fun doing what we were doing,’’ Raymer ‘’home’’ as a member of the 2012 induction class said, “and we were successful doing it.’’

40 » VARSITY AUGUST 9, 2012 One of the many distinctive achievements of still see him sprinting towards the end zone and that Big Ten championship team was clinching the faking out that little DB. And I remember walking Rose Bowl berth by knocking off Michigan State in up to that DB and I looked at him and said, ‘You a conference game that was staged in Tokyo, Ja- just got juked by the slowest bleeping quarterback pan. The Spartans were simply no match for the in NCAA history. How does that make you feel?’’’ Badgers, who rolled to a convincing 41-20 victory. As a pro, Raymer was tested throughout his ca- Initially, there was some anxiety and uncertain- reer by injuries, which prevented him from com- ty surrounding the trip. pletely fulfilling all of his expectations. He retired “We gave up a home game to go to Japan and in 2005 with 83 starts in 98 games. Ironically, the everybody was miffed about that,’’ Raymer said. player who replaced him in the starting lineup “It was like, ‘What the hell are we doing in Tokyo? with the Redskins was Casey Rabach, another for- We’re a bunch of fat white kids from Wisconsin.’ mer Badger. So many scenarios could have played out but we In retrospect, Raymer was grateful to play as went there and kicked the crap out of Michigan long as he did in the NFL. State.’’ “I was able to continue living a dream and be a Pasadena was even more memorable for Raymer, kid,’’ he said. who has an aerial shot of Camp Randall West (i.e. Today, he’s living in Round Hill, Va., some 45 the Rose Bowl) hanging in his home. More than minutes from Washington, D.C. His employer is a 70,000 Badger fans were in attendance. There’s former UW offensive lineman and teammate Brian another visual that Raymer hasn’t forgotten: Dar- Patterson, a successful businessman. “Brian is the rell Bevell’s 21-yard touchdown run in the fourth brains, and I’m the brawn; works for me,’’ Raymer quarter. That turned out to be the winning score said. against UCLA. So does returning to Madison as a hall of famer. “That’s the first thing I think of,’’ Raymer said. “I “That means a lot to me,’’ he said.

41 Hall of Fame JIM HAINES

WRESTLING • 1973-77 Haines won the 1977 NCAA title at 118 pounds after competing in the 1976 Olympics for the U.S. He was a three-time national freestyle champion, winning a gold medal at the 1978 World Cup and silver medals at the 1975 Pan American Games, 1977 World Cup and 1979 World Championships. Haines was also the 1980 U.S. Olympic Trials champion but did not compete due to the Americans’ boycott of that summer’s Olympics. Following his career at the UW from 1973-77, Haines was a 20-year high school softball coach, winning two state titles.

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Hall of Fame

LAWRENCE JOHNSON

FOOTBALL, TRACK & FIELD • 1976-78 Johnson starred for the football and men’s track and field teams from 1976-78. He was a first-team All-America defensive back in 1978 and won four individual Big Ten titles on the track in 1976, claiming the 60-yard and 300-yard dashes indoors before sweep- ing the sprints outdoors with victories in both the 100 and 200 meters. Johnson was drafted in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft, playing nine seasons with the Cleve- land Browns and Buffalo Bills.

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LAWRENCE JOHNSON Hall of Fame

KAREN LUNDA

FIELD HOCKEY, SOCCER • 1978-81 Lunda was a two-sport letterwinner for the Badgers, lettering three years in field hockey from 1978-80. After that sport was dropped, she became Wisconsin’s first women’s soccer All-American, earning second-team honors in 1981. Lunda stood among the UW’s top all-time players in field hockey, ranking second in career goals (24) and assists (7). In soccer, she set the single-season records for goals (22), assists (18) and points (62) that still stand. In Lunda’s only season on the soccer team, she aided the Badgers to a top-10 national ranking.

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Hall of Fame

CORY RAYMER

FOOTBALL • 1992-94 Raymer, a consensus first-team football All-American, played for the Badgers from 1992-94. He was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten pick at center. The three-year starter aided his team to the 1993 Big Ten Conference title and 1994 Rose Bowl championship. Raymer was chosen in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Washington Red- skins. He played in the NFL for 11 seasons.

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CORY RAYMER Hall of Fame

DICK BENNETT

MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH • 1995-2000 Bennett helped rebuild the Badgers program from 1995-2000. His teams qualified for postseason play four times, including three NCAA tournament appearances. Bennett’s 2000 team advanced to the Final Four, winning a then-school record 22 games. His teams led the Big Ten in scoring defense four out of five years, placing in the top five nationally three times.

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Hall of Fame

JIM HALUSKA

FOOTBALL • 1952,1954-55 The starting quarterback led the UW to the 1952 Big Ten title and its first Rose Bowl appearance. Haluska was selected to play in the 1955 Blue-Gray Game, 1956 Senior Bowl and 1956 Chicago Tribune College All-Star Game. He was chosen in the 1954 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, playing one season.

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JIM HALUSKA BADGERS IN THE OLYMPICS Athletes with ties to the University of Wisconsin — nine in all — competed for three different nations during the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London over the past two weeks. From continuing a UW tradition on the water to blazing a trail in the triathlon to making history on the track, here’s a look back on the Badgers’ time in London.

JULY 28 • ROWING

James brothers advance to men’s eight final

Fraternal twins Grant and Ross James led the U.S. men’s 8+ to a first-place finish in heat 1 of the Olympic men’s rowing eight heats in London as the U.S. squad beat out Australia with a time of 5:30.72 to reach the final.