IN [FOCUS] SEE YOU IN SEATTLE It was pure joy for the Badgers after they fin- ished off match point to dispatch of Purdue in their regional final matchup in Champaign, Ill., last Saturday. The win, which came on the heels of a regional semifinal tri- umph over Florida State, propelled UW to its first NCAA championship ap- pearance since 2000. PHOTO BY CRAIG PESSMAN IN [FOCUS] REINDEER GAMES A visit from none other than Santa Claus himself brought a little levity to the Badgers’ practice session Monday as players found themselves in the midst of both preparation for their Capital One Bowl matchup with South Carolina and fi- nals week on campus. Santa said CB Sojourn Shelton (8), head coach Gary Andersen and CB Darius Hillary (5) all made the Nice list this year. PHOTOS BY BRIAN MASON CONTENTS DECEMBER 19, 2013 // VOLUME 4, ISSUE 20 FEELING THE IMPACT DEPARTMENTS 32 For opponents, it's the big hits he delivers on the field. For many 10 LUCAS AT LARGE around Madison, Chris Borland's work is more subtle, but that by Mike Lucas doesn't mean his off-field efforts are any less impactful. 14 BEHIND THE DESK by Barry Alvarez 16 THE VOICE by Matt Lepay 26 BASKING IN THE GLOW 18 BY THE NUMBERS With an All-American leading the Facts and figures on UW way, the Badgers are playing their 20 5 THINGS TO WATCH best volleyball of the season as Catch the Badgers on they prepare to take the sport's TV and the web biggest stage. 22 ASK THE BADGERS Favorite service activities 24 BADGERING Ryan Taylor BADGERS GIVE BACK 42 54 INSIDE SPORTS An in-depth look at how UW Football, Basketball, student-athletes are generous with Hockey their time and talents in working 64 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY to give back to Badgers fans and Gary’s the guy the Madison area community. 7 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, Bob Campbell, John Fisher, Icon SMI, Cal Sport Media 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 Budmayr, Badgers carrying on Otis' legacy here isn’t a day that passes Clancy. Info on how to contribute to charts.” that Jon Budmayr doesn’t the scholarship fund can found at Peeler felt like he lost a family Tthink about his best friend, OtisGreenFoundation.org. member, a point that didn’t fully Kevin “Otis” Green, a former Wis- Green served as a UW manager register until after the accident consin football manager who was from January of 2012 through his when he began to think about how killed last June in a car accident. He graduation in May of 2013. During much he was going to miss Green was 22. that span, he roomed with Bud- and all that he meant to people. “The hard moments come in mayr, a long-time friend. “I met him “He loved life,” Peeler said. “If waves,” said Budmayr, whose career when I was 4 years old,” Budmayr he came into a room and he didn’t as a UW quarterback was shortened said. know you, he’d know you by the because of neurological issues with Both attended Marian Central time he left the room and you his throwing arm and shoulder. Catholic High School in Woodstock, would know him. And you’d re- “I’ll be sitting there and it will Ill. Budmayr was the star quarter- member him. He was that kind of really hit me. But every day, I’ll back, a heavily-recruited prospect. person.” think about him; I’ll pray to him and Green was an undersized, hard- I’ll just talk to him. It’s no different nosed offensive guard. winner recognized Saturday night. than when he was here. Budmayr,Spiegelhoff a student was the coach, first wasaward- the “The one difference is that I can’t presenter and he needed a little goof around with him, I can’t see “OTIS HAD A PASSION FOR FOOT- extra time to get up to the podium him smile, I can’t do all of those BALL THAT WAS SO OBVIOUS IN THE because of his crutches. things if he was still sitting right Budmayr recently had knee sur- here next to me.” WAY HE APPROACHED WORK EACH gery. “Another nerve issue, different The Badgers have honored AND EVERY DAY,” BUDMAYR SAID. body part,” he said. “It was causing Green’s memory by wearing an “HE LOVED BEING A PART OF THE numbness in my foot and knee and “Otis” decal on their helmets. At WISCONSIN FOOTBALL FAMILY.” eventually my foot quit working Saturday’s team banquet, Joe Spie- and I had foot drop.” Few have had their resolve tested Otis Green Manager Award. “He was a big-hearted kid,” Clan- to the degree that Budmayr has gelhoff“This was award the means first recipient more to of me the cy Green said of his son. “I smile since coming to Wisconsin with so than anyone can imagine,” said all the time (when he thinks about much promise as a QB. Yet, he takes Spiegelhoff, who struggled to hold him). He made me very proud and everything in stride and says, “I’m back tears. “There isn’t a day that I couldn’t have been prouder of his on the road to recovery.” goes by I don’t miss him. I know accomplishments here.” Budmayr’s character in making he’s watching over all of us.” Green has been touched by the the best out of every situation may Budmayr is commited to estab- backing that the family has received speak to why Otis Green was his lishing an Otis Green scholarship from the UW support staff, headed best friend; one in the same. “He fund. “It will basically put one man- by equipment manager Mark Peel- (Jon) is like a son,” Clancy Green ager through school for a year,” he er; and the coaching staff, namely said, “and always will be.” said. “It will keep Otis’ name around head coach Gary Andersen. There were many heartfelt mo- here, it will be special.” “They’ve embraced us and wel- ments during Budmayr’s presenta- Raising funds for the scholarship comed our family into their pro- tion and it all served to illuminate is a focus of the Otis Green Foun- gram, it has been wonderful,” Green the close bond that can develop said. “The things that they’ve done between good people who are very that is being run by Green’s father, to recognize Kevin have been off the good at what they do. dation, a newly-formed nonprofit Continued on p. 22 10 // VARSITY December 19, 2013 Budmayr, Badgers carrying on Otis' legacy LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS // UWBADGERS.COM Continued from p. 20 “One group of people whose He loved being a part of the Wiscon- minutes before dinner was served, work never goes unappreciated but sin football family. Budmayr extolled the virtues of often can go unnoticed is Wisconsin “He took pride in his quality of Andersen and “how guys will run football managers,” Budmayr told work,” Budmayr went on, “and he through a brick wall for him.” the audience of mostly UW players was determined to do everything Budmayr said it would have been and their families. that was asked of him and so much easy to assume that Andersen had “These guys have an endless list more.” been around Green for years ― in- of jobs. They show up early and Before leaving the stage, he said, stead of months ― by the way he leave late every day. Many have key “I challenge all of you here tonight “reached out” to everyone, espe- roles every Saturday. They’re deter- to embrace every opportunity that cially the Green family. mined to go above and beyond what comes your way to be passionate “It speaks volumes to the type of is expected of them. about what you do. guy he is and the character that he “Their passion and love for “Put value in all of your relation- has,” Budmayr said. “I can’t think of Badger football is contagious ― ships and don’t ever shy away from a better guy to be (coaching) here often rubbing off on young athletes greatness,” commanded Budmayr, and a better guy for his players.” (recruits), making them want to be - At the end of this night, like every a part of something special as well. ing, “To keep it simple ― just be like other night since June 14, Budmayr “They have a special bond that is Otiswho was.”briefly paused before conclud was thinking of his friend. “The neat unbreakable. They have a passion Having earlier assured everyone thing about Otis that I will carry for what they do and the brother- that “Otis Green will be forever with me the rest of my life,” he said, hood they share is so real and so missed but never forgotten in the “is just how much value that he put genuine.” Badger football family,” there was into every relationship that he had.” He then talked about how “Otis another message that Budmayr A warm thought on a frigid De- had a passion for football that delivered with sincerity.