Varsity Magazine Vol 4 No 9

IN [FOCUS] THEY’RE BACK There were plenty of fa- miliar faces at the men’s hockey team’s preseason photo shoot, but the slate the Badgers face this season looks much different as UW settles into its new home in the Big Ten. Read more about the preseason league favorites in our preview on Page 26. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN [FOCUS] BY THE BRIGHT SHINING LIGHT OF THE MOON You have to get up pretty early to beat the UW row- ing teams onto Lake Men- dota, something even the sun rarely accomplishes. The Badgers were up and on the water for another early-morning practice session Monday. PHOTO BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO IN [FOCUS] EVERYWHERE MAN Carlos Hyde will prob- ably be happy if he never sees Chris Borland again. Though the Buckeyes emerged with a 31-24 win Saturday, Borland did his part to make life tough on Hyde and the rest of Ohio State ‘s offense, matching his ca- reer high with 16 tackles. PHOTO BY JASON MOWRY/ICON SMI CONTENTS OCTOBER 3, 2013 // VOLUME 4, ISSUE 9 BIG THINGS COMING DEPARTMENTS 26 Not only does the Wisconsin men’s hockey team begin life in a 12 LUCAS AT LARGE by Mike Lucas new league this season, but the Badgers prepare to make that maiden voyage as the conference favorite. That’s OK with them. 14 BEHIND THE DESK by Barry Alvarez 16 THE VOICE by Matt Lepay ROSE TO THE OCCASION 18 BY THE NUMBERS 36 Facts and figures on UW Few teams have figured out how to slow down the Wisconsin 20 5 THINGS TO WATCH women’s soccer team this season, Catch the Badgers on TV and the web and true freshman Rose Lavelle is a major reason why. 22 ASK THE BADGERS Bye week plans 24 BADGERING Tina Samara MORE THAN A PIPE DREAM 34 44 INSIDE SPORTS The first goaltender to be named a Football, Volleyball, Hockey, Soccer, Swimming team captain, decorated senior Alex Rigsby’s focus isn’t on personal 56 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY accolades, but some lofty goals for Jump Around her and her Badgers teammates. 9 Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 SUBSCRIBE TO VARSITY VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications Julia Hujet Editor Brian Mason Managing Editor Mike Lucas Senior Writer Matt Lepay Columnist Drew Scharenbroch Video Production Amy Eager Advertising Andrea Miller Distribution Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Patrick Herb, A.J. Harrison, Diane Nordstrom, Anna Poulter-Hendrickson, Jeremy Wodajo Photography David Stluka, Greg Anderson, Neil Ament, Paul Capobianco, Icon SMI Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2013 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS // UWBADGERS.COM For QB Phillips, ‘Coach’ has a nice ring to it isconsin offensive co- playing role in 2013 after starting headset as well, so we can have a ordinator Andy Ludwig three-way discussion.” Wpondered the prospect “It’s tough, it’s disappointing,” Ludwig is perched in the press of quarterback Curt Phillips going admittedthe last five Phillips, games who in 2012. has been box and he’s focusing more on the into coaching and cracked, “He’d be serving as the backup to Joel Stave. big picture, breaking down the a great coach, but he’s too smart to “Once you get a taste of it (starting), entire defense and the perimeter coach.” it’s even harder. I feel like I’m plenty of the offense, whereas Phillips is Phillips laughed over the line, but capable of doing it. monitoring Stave. not over the profession. “But I know Joel is a heckuva “I try to read it as if I was playing “Right now, that’s my plan,” he player and I’m excited to watch from a quarterback’s perspective,” said. “Early on, I was planning on him grow. He has made some great he said. “That way when Joel comes going to optometry school. But strides and I think he has consis- off, I can say, ‘This is what’s happen- at this point I feel like I’ve been tently gotten better. ing in the pocket, maybe you can around it (football) for so long that “He seems like he’s more com- step up’ or whatever. fortable in the pocket. You see the “I’m just kind of giving him a Phillips is hoping to land a job as second opinion.” aat graduate least I want assistant to give next it a trysemester. first.” and how special he can be. And he’s It’s hard to imagine anyone han- He’s not sure where yet. But he startingflashes of to what show he that can in do the in games,practice dling his status better than Phillips, knows that coaches have a much as well.” a consummate team player. It might greater time commitment than Staying focused is not an issue, seem like a broken record because players. but staying sharp with limited prac- everyone comes away from him “I think it could be a rude awak- tice reps has been challenging for saying the same things. Phillips. It’s an occupational hazard “He’s handling it unbelievably like it as a GA when you’re doing for the No. 2 quarterback. well,” UW head coach Gary Ander- ening,” he said. “But I figure if you Considering the circumstances, sen said. “There’s no doubt he’s a going to like when you’re actually Ludwig said, “Curt’s phenomenal in competitor. gettingall the extra to call work, the shots.” you’re definitely the meeting room, on the practice “He’s disappointed, but you Besides keeping in touch with wouldn’t know it how he carries former UW teammate, Nate Tice, game.” himself, how he practices.” who’s a grad assistant at Pittsburgh, fieldHis and mindset on the is headsets what you during would the Phillips has enjoyed his working he’s planning on tapping into an- expect it to be. relationship with Ludwig ― “He’s other resource, Luke Swan, a GA on “Every game,” Phillips said, “I go an offensive guru and I’ve tried to the Wisconsin staff. into it saying, ‘This is going to be absorb as much as possible” ― and Phillips has seen how demanding the game and I’m ready (to play).’ Andersen ― “The older guys can the business can be on coaches. “It’s That’s just how you have to ap- hard work,” he said. “You can see it proach it.” What has earned Phillips respect on their faces. You know they love Beyond that, he’s functioning as isdefinitely the way appreciate that Andersen him.” has put it. But at the same time you see how the equivalent of another coach on worn out they are.” the sidelines. “It’s something that the guys There has been wear and tear “He’s a very calming effect for havethe players really ralliedfirst. around,” Phillips on Phillips, too, after six years of Joel and he adds input,” Ludwig said. “And that’s the way I would to college football competition, mul- said. “When Joel gets on the head- do things if I was a head coach.” tiple knee surgeries and a reduced set to talk with me, Curt is on the He may get that chance someday. 12 // VARSITY October 3, 2013 For QB Phillips, ‘Coach’ has a nice ring to it BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ // UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Stability among head coaches is an asset hen you see coaches I got here in 1990, and I think across to them is about taking pride sometimes we take our stability for in our program, how we want our Wseason, the thinking granted. teams to represent us and make our can often be,get “Let’s fired getso early it done in theand I love our head coaching group. alums proud. Wear the “W’’ proudly. We have good people in place ― That never changes. people who understand what Wis- I also remind them every year to therehave the shopping.’’ first shot at the best coach consin is all about ― and they’ve re- keep their heads up. I go through available.Some ADs Let’s want be the to start first theones out ally sold our program. I feel positive all the ways the bottom can fall out process and the search immediately about that. of a program if you let things slide rather than waiting because when You look at both of our soccer or stick your head in the sand and the season ends there’s going to be programs and where they came don’t pay attention. a bunch of job openings, that’s the from; they were both rock bottom. I make it perfectly clear when way it always is. Right now, they’re both very, very I hire people that we’re going to Most football coaches have good. Paula Wilkins and John Trask do things the right way; we’re not agents, so you can do some behind- have done a nice job. going to cut any corners. We have the-scenes work to see who the Just look at the job that Kelly plenty to sell here. best one is out there and if there’s - Our coaches have the wherewith- any interest. It can give you a ball in a short amount of time. al to go out and recruit the right running start. That’s the thinking SheffieldHe got hastheir been attention doing rightin volley away.

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