Varsity Magazine - May 9, 2018 by Wisconsin Badgers

INFOCUS

WINNER! WINNER! What a feeling! Knocking off a Northwestern team that tied for fourth place in the conference, the Badgers won their last regular-season series and now will play in and host the Big Ten Tournament at Goodman Diamond, May 10-12. PHOTO BY TOM LYNN

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BUCKY ALVAREZ Which one’s which? Wisconsin Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez unveiled “Bucky Alvarez” on Monday, one of 85 artistic statues of the famous badger mascot across our community for ‘Bucky on Parade.’ Fans can see all of the Bucky works of art now through Sept. 12 and event proceeds will support Garding Against Cancer, Madison Area Sports Commission and other community charities. PHOTO BY JESSICA BURDA

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Wisconsin celebrated its spring sports seniors this past week. Softball honored Sam Arents, Brianna Flugaur, Kelsey Jenkins, Mariah Watts and Brooke Wyderski in a special send-off before the Badgers claimed the series win vs. the Wildcats at Goodman, while UWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track and field teams hosted the Wisconsin Twilight meet and highlighted a class of 22 seniors at home. PHOTOS BY TOM LYNN

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RAISING THE BAR Freshman Zach Dybul set a PR in the high jump at the Wisconsin Twilight thanks to his clearance of 6-9 Â½ en route to his first victory as a collegian. PHOTO BY TOM LYNN

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MOVING ON Senior Gabby Curtis tied the UW 54-hole record with a 7-under par 208 in the NCAA Madison Regional hosted at University Ridge Golf Course this week. That was good for a tie for fourth place and advanced Curtis to the NCAA championships next week in Stillwater, Oklahoma. PHOTOS BY TOM LYNN

FORWARD Be a difference-maker during the University of Wisconsin’s Annual Campaign — it’s what Badgers do. AllWaysForward.org

CONTENTS

TOM LYNN

MAY 9, 2018 ▪ VOLUME 8, ISSUE 33

CHANGING THE WORLD She might be small, but she is mighty. Ready to graduate, rower Lily Hansen has made the most of her years as a Badger yet is still just getting started.

IN FOCUS

16 LUCAS AT LARGE 19 BY THE NUMBERS 20 WHAT TO WATCH

LUCAS AT LARGE

DAYNE’S DEGREE

DAVID STLUKA

FEATURES

Returning to school 18 years after winning the Heisman Trophy, football great Ron Dayne earns UW bachelor’s degree.

23 ATHLETES OF THE MONTH 25 BADGERING 27 BADGERS GIVE BACK 41 INSIDE SOFTBALL 43 INSIDE TRACK & FIELD 47 INSIDE ROWING 51 BADGER HISTORY

BADGERS GIVE BACK

VOLUNTEER IMPACT Badgers student-athletes stand out from the crowd for their dedication and commitment to community service. 13

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LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER

For Dayne, ‘One of the biggest days of my life’

DAVID STLUKA

oming across the delivery on his doorstep, Ron Dayne was wondering, “What is this?” It had been raining. “So, it was a wet package,” he said. But he was glad to discover, “It was dry inside.” Finally realizing what it was, he reacted like a little kid finding presents under a Christmas tree. Or maybe like a 270-pound tailback (which he once was) finding a 170-pound safety in the hole. It was a sheer adrenaline rush for the 40-year-old Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner, college football’s all-time leading rusher (including bowls) and a 2013 College Football Hall of Fame inductee. “I called out to my wife (Courtney) and I ran upstairs to show her,” said Dayne, now a

trim 242. “I was so hyped and so excited, I didn’t know what to do. It was one of the biggest days of my life.” To document the moment, he said, “I took pictures of it and put it on Facebook.” “It” was his diploma, his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. “I have it sitting next to my dresser — I see it every day,” said Dayne, who graduated in December. “It was something I had to do — to come back and get my degree.” After considering entering the NFL draft after his junior season, Dayne returned for his senior year and won the Heisman. When he did leave school, 18 years year ago, he left without graduating. Dayne was drafted in the first

round, the 11th pick overall, by the New York Giants. He wound up playing seven seasons with the Giants, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. Although getting his degree was on the back burner, it was not completely out of his mind. “When I was at Denver (2005),” he said, “I tried to come back and get it once earlier.” But he didn’t have his heart into it. “I told Coach Alvy, ‘I can’t do it,”’ he remembered. Coach Alvy (Barry Alvarez) realized there were factors influencing his thinking. “When he came back during the offseason, he was still playing pro ball and I don’t think he was really committed then to getting his degree,” said Alvarez, the UW athletic director. “He was still trying to decide

whether he wanted to play in the NFL anymore; and he was still trying to find himself and what he was going to do with his life.” Alvarez doesn’t usually take “no” for an answer. “Not when I’m right,” he said, chuckling. As a result, Alvarez kept after Dayne in a constructive manner. “I told him why his degree was important,” said Alvarez, who can be quite persuasive. Dayne was raised by his uncle, Rob Reid, a minister in Berlin, New Jersey, and Alvarez recalled, “I promised the family when Ron came here that he would get an education and a degree.” Alvarez also reminded Dayne that Heisman winners are generally held to a higher standard and are not only representing themselves but their programs and schools long after they’re done playing. “It was important for his future both personally and professionally,” Alvarez said of attaining a degree. “He worked in the athletic department, but he couldn’t do anything meaningful without it. “We couldn’t hire him at just any position. We could use him to help fund raise and do some things like that. But he needed the degree to move up.” Dayne, who had his No. 33 jersey retired in 2007, rushed for 7,125 career yards and 71 touchdowns. In December, he made points with Alvarez by finishing what he started academically. “I’m proud of his persistence,” Alvarez said.

▪▪▪▪ In making the jump from Overbrook High School (Pine Hill, New Jersey) to a University of Wisconsin classroom, Dayne had no idea of what he was getting himself into. “I never thought about college when I was younger,” said Dayne, who grew up in a broken home where education was not a priority. “I thought once you got done playing football in high school, you played in the NFL. I never knew about the Heisman Trophy. I didn’t have a feel for any college team.

“I HAVE IT SITTING NEXT TO MY DRESSER — I SEE IT EVERY DAY,” SAID DAYNE, WHO GRADUATED IN DECEMBER. “IT WAS SOMETHING I HAD TO DO — TO COME BACK AND GET MY DEGREE.” “Really, I never thought about going to college until my junior year of high school. And I never thought my grades counted or mattered until then.” Moreover, he never thought about getting his degree until after leaving Wisconsin. “Then it sunk in,” he admitted. “I saw friends working at McDonald’s or at gas stations. Some of them were working 9 to 5 and getting paid 10 dollars an hour. “All they kept saying was, ‘If only I had gotten my degree.’ “And they’d see me and ask, ‘You were in college and you didn’t get your degree?”’

Reflecting on that, he conceded, “If I didn’t have the Heisman, nobody would have even noticed me; nobody would have thought about giving me a job. I’d have just been regular ol’ Ron Dayne.” It’s something that he has been preaching to his son, Javian, who starred at Waunakee High School and earned a scholarship to play football at Boston College. The Badgers extended a walk-on invitation to the younger Dayne, a 6-foot, 230-pound tailback, who will have the same running backs coach at BC — Brian White — that his dad had at UW. “Coach White hasn’t changed a bit,” said Dayne, who’s comfortable with Javian playing at Boston College realizing how difficult it might have been for him to follow in his father’s footsteps at Wisconsin. “I was thinking it would be too tough on him just because I did so much in college. I wouldn’t try to put that burden on my kid. Even if he had a good game, someone would be comparing us.” The importance of getting a degree has come up during their father-son chats. “That was the first thing we talked about,” said Dayne. “What if you don’t make it in the pros? “You need your degree to support your family if you want to have a family someday.” By returning to school to get his degree, Dayne was walking the walk with his family and setting an example for his kids — Javian and Jada, who will be a junior at the University of Michigan. Click to read more »

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BY THE NUMBERS FOOTBALL ▶ Former Badgers Jack Cichy, Troy Fumagalli, Leon Jacobs and Natrell Jamerson were not only taken in the recent NFL draft but also earned their degrees, with Cichy, Fumagalli and Jacobs graduating in December and Jamerson graduating this spring. DAVID STLUKA

6,500+

◀ BADGERS GIVE BACK UW’s graduating class combined for more than 6,500 hours of community service in their careers. Lily Hansen (WROW) and Lauren Williams (WHKY) notably lead their fellow Badgers in most volunteer impact during their four years in Madison.

DAVID STLUKA

▼ WOMEN’S ROWING Senior Emma Strenski, who rowed her first three years at UW, won a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award and will spend 2018-19 conducting research on the evolving ways of governing ethnicity in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the University of Sarajevo.

GREG ANDERSON

TOM LYNN

1 100+ ALL SPORTS ▶ A talented class of Wisconsin student-athletes will earn their undergraduate degrees this school year, including more than 100 scheduled to graduate this weekend.

WHAT TO WATCH TOM LYNN

TOURNEY TIME

SOFTBALL VS. MINNESOTA FRIDAY, MAY 11 ▪ 11AM GOODMAN DIAMOND ▪ BTN Hosting the Big Ten Tournament, No. 7 seed Wisconsin defeated Purdue to advance to Friday’s second-round game vs. No. 2 Minnesota at 11 a.m. All games will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Visit Tournament Central for more info.

tournament central

USA TODAY

GAME 7

WINNIPEG JETS AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS THURSDAY, MAY 10 ▪ 7PM NASHVILLE, TENN. ▪ NBCSN

With the series tied 3-3, fans can catch two former Badgers — Craig Smith and Kyle Turris — on home ice with the Nashville Predators against the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 7 for the Preds and Jets starts Thursday at 7 p.m. (CT) on NBCSN.

WALT MIDDLETON

OUTDOOR HARDWARE

TRACK & FIELD AT BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS FRIDAY, MAY 11 ▪ 11AM BLOOMINGTON, IND. ▪ FLOTRACK Wisconsin’s men’s and women’s track and field teams open postseason action this weekend at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Running Friday through Sunday, catch all the action live streamed on FloTrack.

WEDNESDAY 5/9 WOMEN’S GOLF NCAA Regional Madison, Wis. All day

THURSDAY 5/10

FRIDAY 5/11

SATURDAY 5/12

SOFTBALL Big Ten Tournament vs. (10) Purdue Madison, Wis. 11 a.m. Watch: BTN Tournament Central »

SOFTBALL Big Ten Tournament vs. (2) Minnesota Madison, Wis. 11 a.m. Watch: BTN Tournament Central »

SOFTBALL (If win Friday) Big Ten Tournament Semifinal/Final Madison, Wis. 1 p.m./6 p.m. Watch: BTN Tournament Central »

MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD at Big Ten Outdoor Championships Bloomington, Ind. All day Watch: FloTrack WOMEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING at Dad Vail Regatta Philadelphia All day

SUNDAY 5/13

MONDAY 5/14

TUESDAY 5/15

MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD at Big Ten Outdoor Championships Bloomington, Ind. All day Watch: FloTrack WOMEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING at Dad Vail Regatta Philadelphia All day

WEDNESDAY 5/16

MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD at Big Ten Outdoor Championships Bloomington, Ind. All day Watch: FloTrack WOMEN’S ROWING at Big Ten Championships Indianapolis All day MEN’S ROWING at Eastern Sprints Worcester, Mass. All day

ALL TIMES CENTRAL

VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »

21 21

STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Congratulations to UW’s Student-Athletes of the Month for May. These honorees have been recognized ― via nominations from Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members, coaches, advisors and sport administrators ― for their accomplishments in athletics, academics, on campus and in the community.

GREG ANDERSON

gabby curtis ‖ senior ‖ women’s golf

Senior Gabby Curtis has had an impressive career on the women’s golf team, capped by an outstanding senior season. She recorded 10 top 25 finishes in UW’s 12 events and her season scoring average of 72.78 is second-best in school history. At the recently completed NCAA Madison Regional, Curtis tied for fourth place, tying the 54-hole school record and qualifying for next week’s NCAA championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is just the second Badger women’s golfer to qualify for the NCAA championships as an individual. Curtis competed in every tournament for UW during her Badger career, including three NCAA regional appearances. Her career scoring average of 74.46 ranks second in school history and she recorded four top-10 finishes. A life sciences communications major, Curtis is on pace to graduate in December and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the first time this year.

kelsey jenkins ‖ senior ‖ softball

Senior Kelsey Jenkins will go down as one of the most prolific players in Wisconsin softball history. She’s the school’s all-time leader in runs, walks, on base percentage, third in multi-RBI games, second in batting average, fourth in slugging percentage and had the second-longest reached-base streak in Big Ten history this season. After helping UW to big wins over Northwestern last weekend, Jenkins now leads the Big Ten Conference in batting average and in on-base percentage. Jenkins broke a school record as a freshman, hitting three home runs in one game against Rutgers. She holds the school record in single-season on base percentage, has the second-highest OPS, and holds first second third and fourth for walks, and ranks seventh for single-season hits. Jenkins is the third two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection in program history and has picked up many honors throughout her career including, 2017 All-Big Ten Defensive Team, NCAA Tournament All-Region Team, NFCA Great Lake All-Region second team, first freshman in UW history to be named First-team All-Big Ten (2015), 2016 Best Offense Award (UW Coaches) and made the 2015 Canadian Junior Women's National Team and 2017 Pan Am Championships/World Qualifier Women’s National Team for Canada. The two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection has excelled off the field too as a Human Development and Family Studies major and has made the dean’s list four times and high honors three times and is also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma. She’s aspiring to play in the 2020 Summer Olympics for Team Canada and has made it to the final round for Team Canada this summer. 23

BADGERING...

BRENNA DETRA

Brenna Detra, a redshirt senior from Peoria, Illinois, has helped make Wisconsin women’s track and field history this season. She’s been a part of two relays that broke decades-old program records and is a threat to eclipse the UW standard in the 400 hurdles. Pretty remarkable stuff given she’s less than a year removed from sustaining a torn ACL and dislocated left knee cap while competing in the NCAA outdoor meet. Detra, who has the second-fastest hurdles time in school history (57.56 seconds), is looking to continue her steady improvement in the 400 when the Badgers take part in the Big Ten Conference outdoor meet that starts Friday in Bloomington, Indiana. She took a moment before a workout this week to offer advice to her freshman self, to identify the teammate she admires most and the best part about all those bus rides. BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

Is there one piece of advice you’d give to your freshman self? “It sounds very cliché, but trust the process. Everyone’s freshman year might be rough — it’s an adjustment period — so I would tell myself to focus on myself and do everything the right way and eventually it will work out.” If you could trade places with another UW student-athlete, who would it be and why? “Dana Rettke from volleyball. She’s so tall (6-foot-8), but can move so well. I’d definitely trade places with her.” Is there a UW teammate, man or woman, that you admire? “I’d say (distance runner) Morgan McDonald. He does everything right. He goes out and runs hard every time and doesn’t hold back on anything. I admire that. He’s also a great team leader and the team seems very in touch when he’s around.”

DAVID STLUKA

The bus ride to the Big Ten meet is six hours. What’s the best part of those trips? “The best part is seeing everybody no matter what meet you’re traveling to. That’s what it’s all about. It’s all about making sure your teammates are doing what they’re supposed to do and, as a senior, I want to make sure that I leave this program knowing that it’s in good hands.” Click to read more »

BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT

badgers give back

Impact of volunteering at heart of giving back

Badgers student-athletes stand out from the crowd in community service BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

he Wisconsin women’s hockey team has a culture of on-ice success, one defined by four national titles and 11 appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four dating back to 2006. Less conspicuous, but just as impressive, is an enduring commitment to civic work by its members. Seven UW players ranked among the top 50 in volunteer impact in 2017-18, according to Jackie Davenport, the director of community relations for Wisconsin Athletics. Davenport coordinates and monitors UW student-athlete involvement in the Badgers Give Back program. Two of the top three volunteers in terms of impact come from women’s hockey: seniors Lauren Williams was first and Annie Pankowski was third. Lily Hansen, a senior with the women’s rowing team, was second. Williams said the volunteer culture in women’s hockey was nurtured by UW coach Mark Johnson and his staff and willing teammates like Molly Doner, Mikayla Johnson and Baylee Wellhausen. “It really is one of those things that when you see other people doing stuff, you want to do it, too,” said Williams, from Windsor, Ontario. “We’ve always had such a good group of people on our team where volunteering and donating your time has always made sense.”

In addition to Williams and Pankowski, sophomore Maddie Rowe, freshman Caitlin Schneider, freshman Delaney Drake, freshman Grace Bowlby and freshman Maddie Posick all actively participated in Badgers Give Back. UW student-athletes can volunteer in a variety of ways, most notably visits to American Family Children’s Hospital, but Williams and Pankowski took a unique route. They work with Occupaws, an organization that trains guide dogs for the visually impaired in Wisconsin and bordering states. The two began periodically puppy-sitting for more experienced trainers who are going on vacation or needing a break. Williams and Pankowski now oversee dogs — approximately 20 in all, mainly labs — for periods ranging from a couple weeks to several months. “The longer it is that you have them,” Williams said, “the harder it is to say good bye.” The whole volunteering culture at UW is one Williams has come to appreciate. “It’s just an enriching experience overall,” she said. “When you come here and you’re doing school and practicing every day, you kind of get lost in the fact that Madison is a bubble and you are very separate from the rest of the world. “Volunteering is just a great way to remind yourself that there are other people out there doing different things and living their own life.”▪

TOM LYNN

ily Hansen has long had the belief that she can, and should, change the world. That seed was planted when she was young, a 7-year-old mentoring an older brother with special needs. It grew through high school where she read books on leadership and found herself cast in athletic roles — libero in volleyball; coxswain in rowing — that gave her control of the action. It endured through the personal tragedy of her birth mother, a National Guard soldier, being murdered in a random act of violence in 2011. It continued through four years as a student-athlete at Wisconsin, where Hansen excelled as coxswain for the women’s openweight varsity eight boat and distinguished herself on a host of civic fronts while securing a degree in communication sciences and disorders. Hansen has only just begun to make a difference. “I’ve made it a mission of mine to change the world in small ways,” she said. “I don’t think it’s

appropriate to sit on the sidelines and watch life go by. I’m already 21 and I’d like to take what I know and continue to use it and not waste my life.” As an athlete, Hansen has helped the Badgers qualify for the NCAA regatta three straight years with an opportunity to secure No. 4 coming up. As a student with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.7, Hansen has twice been a Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar and been named a national scholar athlete by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association. Earlier this month, Hansen received the Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award, which recognizes the valuable contributions of women student leaders and is the first in UW history to honor campus-wide female undergraduate leadership. The $5,000 award is administered as part of the UW Leadership Certificate Program and endorsed by female deans at the school. It was first presented in 2014.

“10-Minute Toughness” and “Rising Strong” Hansen will put the award to good use while among others at her campus apartment. pursuing a doctorate of audiology at WashingShe recalled playing school, teaching math ton University in St. Louis, Missouri, starting in to her brother Will, who was born with special August. needs. She has his birthday tattooed on her Donna Freitag, a former UW women’s basright forearm. ketball assistant coach, “It was really importis a specialist at the ant for me to be there Center for Leadership “WE TALK ABOUT CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE with him and lead him and Involvement DiAND SHE EXEMPLIFIES REALLY WHAT LEADERSHIP in the best direction I vision of Student Life. IS ALL ABOUT,” FREITAG SAID OF HANSEN. could,” she said. She said approximately “SHE’S AN AMAZING STUDENT-ATHLETE.” Hansen was adopted 500 graduates have reby Mary Ellen and Ruceived leadership cerpert Hansen as an infant, two years after the tificates since the program was introduced in couple adopted Will from a different family. 2002. “Will and I aren’t blood related, but we’re the “It’s not for everyone,” Freitag said, noting closest thing to a brother and sister you are that “not many” are student-athletes. “It’s pretgoing to get,” she said. ty rigorous.” The qualification process involves hundreds of hours of leadership and volunteer duties as well as written essays and committee presentations. It’s a four-year documentation process, but Hansen, who said she loves writing and public speaking, told committee members that she finished hers in less than two. “We talk about creating positive change and she exemplifies really what leadership is all about,” Freitag said. “She’s an amazing student-athlete.” UW women’s rowing coach Bebe Bryans nominated Hansen for the perseverance award that Hansen received at last month’s Buckinghams award show. “She’s very mature and she’s very brave,” Bryans said. “She’s very dedicated to her team. Her team means everything to her.” Leadership and selflessness come naturally to Hansen, who has books entitled “Positive Leadership” and

“

DAVID STLUKA

Boathouse carrying a very full backpack. It was Hansen’s birth mother, 31-year-old Sgt. 1st adorned with a green bandana, declaring her Class Miranda McElhiney, was among those interest in mental health issues. killed when a gunman entered a restaurant in “There’s this huge stigma about it,” she said. Carson City, Nevada, and began shooting be“If you break your leg, everyone signs your cast fore taking his own life. and they see this physical thing. But if you have Hansen wears her mother’s dog tags and mental health issues, it’s distributes handmade not something you can yellow ribbons to classsee and it’s harder to mates and passersby on “I’VE MADE IT A MISSION OF MINE TO CHANGE understand.” Veteran’s Day and MeTHE WORLD IN SMALL WAYS,” HANSEN SAID. “I’m always trying to morial Day each year. “I DON’T THINK IT’S APPROPRIATE TO SIT ON break stigmas.” “Those are very imTHE SIDELINES AND WATCH LIFE GO BY.” Hansen spends five portant days to me, so hours a week with speI try to bring awareness cial-needs children, which helps explain why to that,” she said. she was one of the top volunteers in the BadAs was the case at her high school in San gers Give Back program in 2017-18. Anselmo, California, Hansen started a sign lan“I don’t see myself as this great person,” Hanguage club at UW. She likes the challenge of sen said. “I just do what I do.” teaching others something so useful and estiOne could argue that Hansen has already mates that 200 participated in the get-togethchanged the world in ways large and small. ers at some point. “Yes,” she said, “but there’s more to be done.” Hansen arrived for an interview at Porter

“

meet grads THE

Shaped by their time in Madison, this successful group of graduating Badgers is ready to make a difference. PHOTOS BY TOM LYNN

victor goicoechea // men’s swimming & diving Major: Astronomy-Physics Post-Graduation Plans: Attending graduate school How has being a Badger helped shape you? “I believe being a Badger has made me grow into a better person in every aspect I could think of. My teammates, coaches and the Wisconsin experience have helped me become a better teammate, leader and better person in general.”

lily hansen // women’s rowing Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Post-Graduation Plans: Pursuing a doctorate of audiology at Washington University in St. Louis How has being a Badger helped shape you? “I came here with a closed mind and a little bit stuck in my shell. When I came here, my mind was opened, just to the cultural differences. Being a Badger is more than just a school background.”

cayla m c morris // women’s basketball Major: Communication Arts Post-Graduation Plans: Playing professionally overseas How has being a Badger helped shape you? “My experience as a Badger has shaped me to become the young lady I am today. It has taught me about adversity, toughness and resilience. The number of relationships I have built here with a diversity of different people is what I will remember forever! Thank you Wisconsin!”

lamar remy // men’s tennis Major: Personal Finance Post-Graduation Plans: Moving to Florida to train and continue playing tennis at the professional level How has being a Badger helped shape you? “Being a Badger has not only shaped me to become a better athlete, it also helped shape me to become a better person. I’m forever grateful for all of the opportunities that were presented to me during my time as a student-athlete.”

eddie wajda // men’s golf Major: Economics Post-Graduation Plans: Pursuing a master's degree in Accountancy How has being a Badger helped shape you? “Being a Badger has shaped me in a number of ways, most importantly learning to deal with adversity. Throughout my experience as a student-athlete at Wisconsin, I learned to overcome adversity with goal setting, hard work, and determination.” 39

INSIDE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE (28-20, 11-9)

Home events in bold. All times CT. April 7 at Iowa L, 0-3 / L, 3-4 Doubleheader April 8 at Iowa

L, 3-5

April 11 Green Bay W, 8-0 / W, 10-2 Doubleheader April 12 Illinois W, 4-2 / W, 6-2 Doubleheader April 14 Illinois

THIS WEEK It’s tournament time for the Wisconsin softball team (2820 overall, 11-9 Big Ten) and this year they play host to the Big Ten Softball Tournament. The Badgers earned the No. 7 seed and will play No. 2 Minnesota in the second round at 11 a.m. on Friday. All tournament games will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

including a two-run homer in Friday’s game. She leads the team with seven goners and has 40 hits and 32 runs on the season.

LAST WEEK Wisconsin took the series over Northwestern with a thrilling 4-3 victory on Sunday’s Senior Day and a 7-1 victory on Friday. Freshman Taylor Johnson finished the regular season with a bang, leading the team with five hits

NEED TO KNOW All of the Badgers’ games will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and links for live statistics can be found on UWBadgers.com. In addition, fans can find live updates on Twitter (@BadgerSoftball).

GOOD TO KNOW Senior Kelsey Jenkins finished first in the league for the regular season in batting average (.420) and on-base percentage (.578).

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Wisconsin to host Big Ten Tournament May 10-12

April 20 Purdue

L, 2-3

April 21 Purdue

W, 7-1

April 22 Purdue

W, 4-3

April 25 at Minnesota L, 1-12 / L, 0-8 Doubleheader April 27 at Nebraska

W, 6-1

April 28 at Nebraska

W, 11-4

April 29 at Nebraska

W, 11-2

May 4

Northwestern

L, 2-3

May 5

Northwestern

W, 7-1

May 6

Northwestern

W, 4-3

JACK MCLAUGHLIN

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Highlights: Wisconsin vs Northwestern Game 3

CANCELLED

Big Ten Tournament:

May 10 (10) Purdue

W, 8-0

May 11 (2) Minnesota

11 a.m.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Senior send-off: Badgers clinch final series with 4-3 win ▶ Go TJ, It’s your birthday! Freshman hits two-run homer

INSIDE MEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. All times CT. March 30 at Stanford Invite Stanford, Calif. Results » March 31 at California Collegiate Open San Diego, Calif. Results » April 6-7 at Spec Towns Invite Athens, Ga. Results » Apr. 18-20 at Bryan Clay Invite Azusa, Calif. Results » Apr. 19-21 at Mt. SAC Relays

Walnut, Calif.

Apr. 20-21 at Beach Invitational Long Beach, Calif. Results »

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Josh McDonald Senior Day

THIS WEEK The Badgers open championship action this weekend with the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Bloomington, Indiana. The meet starts on Friday at 11 a.m. CT, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. LAST WEEK UW held its lone home meet of the outdoor season, the Wisconsin Twilight, on Friday. Freshman Zach Dybul won the high jump while sophomore Tucker Wedig won the hammer throw.

GOOD TO KNOW UW has a pair of athletes that lead the Big Ten in their respective events heading into the outdoor championships. Ollie Hoare leads the Big Ten in the 1500 meters with his time of 3:37.84 while Zack Snider paces the conference in the 10,000 meters thanks to his PR of 29:15.3. NEED TO KNOW Fans can watch the meet live on FloTrack or via BTN Plus and can follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerTrackXC). A tape-delay of the broadcast airs on the Big Ten Network on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. CT.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

May 4 Wisconsin Twilight Results »

TOM LYNN

Apr. 27-28 at National Relays Fayetteville, Ark. Results » May 11-13 at Big Ten Outdoor

Championships

Bloomington, Ind.

May 24-26 at NCAA Preliminary Round

Sacramento, Calif.

June 6-9 at NCAA Outdoor Championships

Eugene, Ore.

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Badgers wrap up regular season with Wisconsin Twilight ▶ Wisconsin relay team earns runner-up finish in Arkansas

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INSIDE WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. March 31 at California Collegiate Open San Diego, Calif. Results » April 6-7 at Spec Towns Invite Athens, Ga. Results » Apr. 18-20 at Bryan Clay Invite Azusa, Calif. Results » Apr. 19-21 at Mt. SAC Relays

Walnut, Calif.

Apr. 20-21 at Beach Invitational Long Beach, Calif. Results » Apr. 27-28 at National Relays Fayetteville, Ark. Results »

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Taylor Amann Finishes Strong on Senior Day

THIS WEEK Wisconsin heads to Bloomington, Indiana, for the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships this weekend. The meet starts on Friday at 11 a.m. CT, while action on Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.

GOOD TO KNOW Ellenwood enters the Big Ten meet with the No. 2 heptathlon score in the NCAA of 5,983 points. She looks to break Purdue’s Jamie McNeair’s Big Ten heptathlon record of 6,016 points set back in 1990.

LAST WEEK The Badgers hosted the Wisconsin Twilight on Friday as freshman Sophia Rivera picked up a pair of wins in the shot put and javelin. Senior Georgia Ellenwood set two personal bests in the javelin and 100 hurdles while seniors Taylor Amann and Brenna Detra also picked up wins.

NEED TO KNOW Fans can watch the meet live on FloTrack or via BTN Plus and can follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerTrackXC). In addition, a tape-delayed version of the broadcast can be seen on Big Ten Network on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. CT.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

May 11-13 at Big Ten Outdoor

Championships

Bloomington, Ind.

TOM LYNN

May 4 Wisconsin Twilight Results »

May 24-26 at NCAA Preliminary Round

Sacramento, Calif.

June 6-9 at NCAA Outdoor Championships

Eugene, Ore.

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Senior sendoff: Seniors shine at Wisconsin Twilight ▶ Badgers shatter pair of records at National Relays

INSIDE MEN’S ROWING SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. Oct. 22

Oct. 28

Oct. 29

Nov. 4

at Head of the Charles Boston Results » at North Star Regatta Minneapolis Results » at Princeton Chase Princeton, N.J. Results »

at Bald Eagle Invite Indianapolis Results »

2018 April 7

at Syracuse

Results »

April 14-15 at Stanford Invitational Redwood City, Calif. Results »

Boston University/MIT/ MSOE/Minnesota Baraboo, Wis. Results »

April 29

Northeastern

Baraboo, Wis.

May 13

at Eastern Sprints

Worcester, Mass.

June 1-3

at IRA National Championships

Princeton, N.J.

April 28

THIS WEEK The No. 12 Wisconsin men’s rowing team travels to Worcester, Massachusetts Sunday for the 2018 Eastern Sprints. Last year, the Badgers’ varsity eight raced to a ninth-place finish at Lake Quinsigamond, while the team took seventh overall.

year, but dropped close races to the Huskies and the Terriers.

LAST TIME OUT Wisconsin faced No. 6 Northeastern, No. 10 Boston University and MIT for the Congram Cup, Jablonic Cup and Cochrane Cup, respectively. The Badgers took down MIT to hold onto the Cochrane Cup for the 13th-straight

NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow @BadgerRowing for team updates and check UWBadgers.com following the final race of the day for a recap of the meet’s events. A live stream is available on US Rowing’s YouTube channel.

GOOD TO KNOW The Eastern Sprints showcase 18 schools, and will feature races against top-10 powerhouses like No. 3 Yale and No. 4 Harvard.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

Results »

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Badgering: Tristan Amberger ▶ No. 11 Badgers retain Cochrane Cup

INSIDE WOMEN’S ROWING SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. Oct. 6-7

vs. Iowa/Indiana

Iowa City, Iowa

Oct. 8

at Head of the Rock Rockford, Ill. Results »

Oct. 29

at Minnesota

Nov. 4

Class Day Regatta

2018 Mar. 17-18 at Cardinal Invite Oak Ridge, Tenn. Results » March 31

vs. UCF/Miami Sarasota, Fla. Results »

April 7

Big Ten Double Dual (Ohio State, Rutgers)

Baraboo, Wis.

CANCELLED

April 14-15 at Clemson Invitational Clemson, S.C. Results » April 28-29 vs. Syracuse/Princeton Princeton, N.J. Results »

THIS WEEK The No. 13 Badgers head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championships on Sunday, May 13 at Eagle Creek Park. LAST WEEK The Badgers had a week off following big wins in the second varsity eight and varsity four against Princeton and Syracuse in New Jersey on April 28.

GOOD TO KNOW The selection show for the 2018 NCAA Championships is set for May 15 at 4 p.m. and can be watched live at NCAA.com. NEED TO KNOW Follow @BadgerRowing on Twitter, @BadgerWRowing on Instagram and Wisconsin Women’s Rowing on Facebook for updates during the Big Ten Championships. The event airs tape-delayed on BTN on Sunday, May 20 at 10 a.m.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

May 13

at Big Ten Championships

Indianapolis

May 25-27 at NCAA Championships

Sarasota, Fla.

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Callie at the Catch: The business trip ▶ UW’s second varsity eight named Big Ten boat of the week

BADGER HISTORY BRYCE RICHTER

CAMP RANDALL 100 SPOTLIGHT:

KATIE COURIC

The Camp Randall 100 honors a prestigious group of 100 people who shaped the first century of Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin Athletics revealed a new honoree every day from May 24 through the Badgers’ 2017 opening game vs. Utah State Sept. 1.

BY BRIAN LUCAS UW Athletic Communications

W-Madison commencement ceremonies were first held at Camp Randall Stadium in 1925. The ceremonies moved indoors in 1990 and when spring commencement was moved to the newly-built Kohl Center, four separate ceremonies divided by school and college were staggered across two days. That made it hard to find a high-profile keynote speaker. Perhaps with an eye toward remedying that situation, the university brought commencement back to Camp Randall Stadium in the spring of 2014. And their gamble paid off a year later as Katie Couric, former co-host of the Today Show and CBS Evening News anchor, accepted the Badgers’ invitation. “Due to the size and scope of continuing to celebrate in a single ceremony at Camp Randall, we were able to recruit a high-caliber speaker,” said Maria Giannopoulos, president of the Class of 2015. “We aimed to have a renowned speaker with an engaging personality and dedication to service.” Couric certainly did engage the crowd. The Bad-

gers were a little more than a month removed from a loss to Duke in the national championship game of the 2015 NCAA Final Four and Couric definitely knew her audience. “Who could ever forget that NCAA championship game? … By the way, it was clear to me that Justise Winslow’s finger deflected the ball and that should have gone to Wisconsin,” Couric said during her commencement address. “Duke may have won the game but Frank the Tank and Josh ‘Captain America’ Gasser stole our hearts.” The next two years continued the trend of notable commencement speakers at Camp Randall. Former UW quarterback Russell Wilson addressed the crowd in 2016 and the creator and producer of the hit TV comedy series “Modern Family,” UW-Madison alum Steve Levitan, served as the 2017 speaker. Another new commencement tradition has been formed, incorporating an old Camp Randall tradition. About three quarters of the way through the two-hour ceremony, a familiar sound fills the speakers and graduates, families and friends alike get out of their seats and “Jump Around.” ▪ For the complete list, visit CampRandall100.com.