Varsity Magazine - December 28, 2017 by Wisconsin Badgers

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FUN IN THE SUN Madison Cone and Lubern Figaro celebrate after making a big play during practice. The Wisconsin football team is down in Miami preparing for the Orange Bowl. The Badgers face Miami on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. PHOTO BY BRANDON HARRISON

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HOLIDAY JAMMIES Freshman Nate Reuvers throws down over a Green Bay defender in the Badgers’ 81-60 rout of Green Bay last week. UW’s freshmen scored 40 of the team’s 81 points. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

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ON TO THE OLYMPICS Throw up those Ws, eh? Senior-to-be Emily Clark, along with former Wisconsin standouts Meaghan Mikkelson, Blayre Turnbull, Ann-Renée Desbiens and Sarah Nurse were selected last Friday to Team Canada’s roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. PHOTO BY SARAH NURSE

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J.T. JET SKI Jonathan Taylor and members of the Wisconsin football team enjoy a day at the beach while down in Miami for the Orange Bowl. The Badgers face Miami on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. PHOTO BY BRANDON HARRISON

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TOGETHER Alone in the Badgers’ locker room tunnel, the women’s basketball team huddles together for a quick pre-game hype talk before running onto the court against Milwaukee at the Kohl Center. PHOTO BY JACK McLAUGHLIN

CONTENTS

DARREN LEE

DECEMBER 28, 2017 ▪ VOLUME 8, ISSUE 16

UNCONVENTIONAL Ask Jim Leonhard where his career path as a coach leads next and he’ll tell you he doesn’t know. He’s never been a typical player and the same has held true for his first few years as a coach. But he’s happy to be a Badger, and that’s all that matters.

FEATURES 2

IN FOCUS

16 LUCAS AT LARGE 19 BEHIND THE DESK

SEEKING CHALLENGE

Former Badger O-lineman and current associate head coach Joe Rudolph turned to coaching after persevering through illness.

23 WHAT TO WATCH

DAVID STLUKA

21 BY THE NUMBERS

SPECIAL FEATURE

27 ATHLETES OF THE MONTH 28 BADGERS GIVE BACK 45 INSIDE FOOTBALL 47 INSIDE BASKETBALL 51 INSIDE WRESTLING 52 BADGER HISTORY

BADGERS GIVE BACK

THE SHOE PROJECT Seeking a way to give back, Ethan Happ is connecting further with his young fans this season through a small gesture that brings perspective and joy. 13

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

VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas

Director of Athletic Communications

Jessica Burda

Director of Digital Content Managing Editor

Julia Hujet

Editor/Designer

Brian Mason

Editor/Contributor

Mike Lucas

Senior Writer

Andy Baggot Writer

Chris Hall, Jerry Mao, Brandon Spiegel Video Production

Matt Restock Advertising

Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution

Contributors

Paul Capobianco, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography

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LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM

A hand up: Cichy and Edwards achieve together

DAVID STLUKA

ut of the corner of his eye, T.J. Edwards spotted Jack Cichy, who was holding court for the media; one of the first interview sessions that he has conducted since blowing out his ACL in August. “Good ol’ Three-Sack,” Edwards chuckled. In the 2015 Holiday Bowl, Cichy sacked USC quarterback Cody Kessler on three consecutive plays and thereafter morphed into “Three-Sack Jack” or a facsimile thereof among teammates. Cichy, who was the Defensive MVP of that game, and Edwards, who was the Defensive MVP of the 2017 Cotton Bowl, have been impact linebackers and

good friends the last four years. They have a special bond that allows Edwards to answer a question about his first impression of Cichy by saying “I just remember him being loud and obnoxious” before adding, “Still the same guy.” Even though they have never lived together on campus, they have been roommates the night before games. Through thick and thin, highs and lows, they’ve been there for each other. “We have a good relationship. We click really well,” said Cichy, a fifth-year senior. “We both like to joke around and we’re pretty easy-going guys. “Being together on the scout team his first year (2014) was

a lot of fun. It was me, him and Ryan (Connelly) grinding it out together. We definitely grew a lot over that season.” Cichy lettered as a true freshman walk-on in 2013 and then took his redshirt the following year at a time when Edwards was making the transition from high school quarterback to inside linebacker. “That’s when we really started to bond,” said Edwards. “It still makes me mad to this day that he came back (from an injury) halfway through that year and won Scout Team Player of the Year. “He still holds it over me every day. I think that’s when we started to connect.”

That connection was never stronger than this season. Especially after Cichy’s knee injury. “Whether it was physical or emotional stress I was going under,” Cichy said, “he was always there to listen and offer words of encouragement and a laugh every once in a while.” Early on, it was tough for Edwards to process what his friend was going through knowing Cichy had spent the offseason rehabbing a torn pectoral muscle that had cost him the final seven games of 2016. “I was just a guy that he could lean on and talk to whenever,” Edwards said. “I don’t know how well I’ve helped him or if I did at all. But I just felt I needed to be there for him.” Since Cichy couldn’t play, he coached. “The way he looks at the game is kind of different, especially coming from a guy who has been in the system and has seen all the looks,” said Edwards. “He has a different way of telling you things.” Hearing it from a peer — particularly someone who has battle scars from putting everything on the line — Edwards noted was “something you can’t really get from a coach.” Cichy’s support went beyond just motivating Edwards with his non-stop intensity. It was more about his attention to detail and knowledge of the position, nuances and all. “I know how he plays and how he has been successful in the past,” Cichy said. “I wanted him to continue that success as well

as have success in going down some different avenues. “He was just able to play a little differently. He continued to be a stout run-stopper. He takes that personally and he really enjoys being physical at the point of attack. “But the one thing he took upon himself this year was to get better in pass coverage. And, obviously, he did that with the production that he had.” Edwards, a sure-handed tackler, also exhibited that he could play in space with four interceptions, including a pick-six against Maryland, and seven pass breakups.

“I PUT DOWN, ‘GET FASTER. GET STRONGER. ALL-BIG TEN.’ AND THEN I WAS, ‘WOW, WHAT CAN I EVEN WRITE HERE?’ SO, I THOUGHT, ‘ALL-AMERICAN WOULD BE COOL.’” “I just knew I had to be more of a factor in it,” he said of the pass defense. “I knew our D-line was phenomenal and our run defense would be fine. But we needed a middle of the field presence. “He (Cichy) has been really good helping me with that — not even in pass drops — but just in terms of route concepts and seeing initially what’s going on.” Edwards is a quick study. Others, meanwhile, have noticed how complete of a linebacker he has become. He was consensus first-team All-Big Ten and first-

team All-American. “I was a little shocked, a little surprised, but I was proud,” he said of the recognition. “I set that (All-American) as one of my goals this year. And to actually accomplish it was huge. “I felt last year that I didn’t really do my part in terms of being a bigger part of this defense. I held myself to higher expectations this year. And I needed to play to that standard.” Edwards wrote down his goals before the season. Where did he write All-American? “It was low on the list,” he conceded. “I put down, ‘Get faster. Get stronger. All-Big Ten.’ And then I was, ‘Wow, what can I even write here?’ So, I thought, ‘All-American would be cool.’ “I felt confident in All-Big Ten. But not so much in that (All-American) because I know it’s a deep talent pool. I thought it was bold on my part. But you never know what can happen.” Cichy is on his way to the NFL. He declined petitioning for another year of college eligibility. Edwards, who has one year remaining, is unsure of his future. He’s waiting on feedback from the pros. “I’m weighing all options,” said the 21-year-old Edwards. “It’s just a blessing to be even talking about it. Leaving early was not something I wrote down on my goal list.” But there’s a more pressing goal left. “I want to send our seniors out the right way,” he said of the Orange Bowl. “I want them to go out with a good memory.” ▪

BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ ▪ UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Unforgettable memories of the Orange Bowl RALPH NOTARO

’ve told this story many times. When I was at Burgettstown (Pennsylvania) High School, I seriously considered playing my college football in Miami. I wanted to go there. But my mom wouldn’t let me. The Miami coaches would call the house and she would tell them, “He’s not interested.” She thought I might have too much fun in South Florida. She was afraid I’d party too much. Miami was the site of my first bowl game as a Nebraska player and my final game as a Notre Dame assistant. I’ve got some not-so-fond and fond memories from those Orange Bowl trips. When I was a sophomore (1965), I was a backup linebacker and we were unbeaten going into the game. But Alabama threw the ball all over the place with Steve Sloan and Ray Perkins and beat us. We had a better team. But I thought Bear Bryant outcoached Coach (Bob) Devaney. We had too many turnovers and break-

downs on special teams that allowed them to recover some onside kicks. With the top two teams in the country losing in their bowls — Michigan State in the Rose and Arkansas in the Cotton — Alabama was named the national champion that year. I have another memory from that Orange Bowl. But let me give you some background. When I was coaching, I always encouraged my players to take advantage of everything that was planned for them at the bowl site. I wanted them to respect and appreciate the bowl experience. That was something that I didn’t do as a player. On that first bowl trip to Miami, instead of taking in SeaWorld and some other sights, me and some guys from Pittsburgh went to the dog track. Since the activities were optional, I passed on them. The following year, we played in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans,

and I did the same thing. I was a knucklehead and didn’t think it was a big deal. Years later, I was a high school coach with two kids making $7,000 a year and watching bowl games on TV and thinking, “Look at what you missed out on and all the things you took for granted.” That’s why I’ve always looked at bowls as being a reward. During my last year on Lou Holtz’s staff at Notre Dame (1989), we played in the Orange Bowl twice. We lost our final game of the regular season to Miami in late November. It was our first loss. And, then, we came back to play No. 1-ranked Colorado in the Orange Bowl game itself. Throughout the week of practice, Lou would come down to our end of the field and check on the defense. I finally asked him, “Why are you down here? Don’t you think we can stop these guys?”

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BY THE NUMBERS

DAVID STLUKA

FOOTBALL ▶ When the Orange Bowl kicks off, senior OLB Leon Jacobs and senior S Joe Ferguson will rank first and second in career games played in FBS history. Jacobs, who already owns the FBS record at 58 games, will play in his 59th contest Saturday. Ferguson also will surpass the previous record of 57 when he suits up in his 58th career game.

◀ WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Badgers are 5-1 at home, equaling the last three seasons’ home victories. Wisconsin was 5-10 in the Kohl Center last season, 5-9 in 2015-16 and 5-8 at home in 2014-15. UW needs only two more wins to equal last season’s overall wins total.

JACK MCLAUGHLIN

▼ WRESTLING Senior Ricky Robertson is off to the best start of his career, amassing an 18-3 record. The Tinley Park, Illinois native is ranked eighth in the country at 184 pounds heading into this weekend’s Midland Championships.

KELLI GRASHEL

18-3

59 DARREN LEE

MEN’S BASKETBALL ▶ Freshman Brad Davison is averaging 11.8 points per game. Over the last 20 years, only three Badgers freshmen have averaged double-figure points for an entire season: Devin Harris (12.3 in 2002), Alando Tucker (12.0 in 2003) and Ethan Happ (12.4 in 2016).

11.8 21

WHAT TO WATCH

HIT THE MATS

WRESTLING AT MIDLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 ▪ 9:30AM HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. ▪ BTN2GO

KELLI GRASHEL

No. 16 Wisconsin travels to compete in the Midland Championships this Friday and Saturday. Fans can catch the action all day via BTN2Go, with action beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday and noon Saturday.

DAVID STLUKA

HOME HARDWOOD

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. UMASS LOWELL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 ▪ 3PM KOHL CENTER ▪ BTN Wisconsin continues its winter homestand against UMass Lowell Saturday at the Kohl Center. The Badgers tip off against the River Hawks at 3 p.m., live on BTN.

buy tickets

RALPH NOTARO

ORANGE BOWL

FOOTBALL VS. MIAMI SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 ▪ 7PM MIAMI ▪ ESPN Marking the program’s first appearance in one of the nation’s most historic bowl games, No. 6 Wisconsin takes on No. 11 Miami Saturday in the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl. The Badgers kick off vs. the Canes at 7 p.m. at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, live on ESPN.

buy tickets 23

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 12/27 MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Chicago State Madison, Wis. 8:00 p.m. Watch: ESPNU

THURSDAY 12/28 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Iowa Madison, Wis. 7:00 p.m. Watch: FloHoops Buy tickets »

FRIDAY 12/29 WRESTLING at Midland Championships Hoffman Estates, Ill. 9:30 a.m. Watch: BTN2Go

SATURDAY 12/30 WRESTLING at Midland Championships Hoffman Estates, Ill. Noon Watch: BTN2Go MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. UMass Lowell Madison, Wis. 3:00 p.m. Watch: BTN Buy tickets » FOOTBALL at Orange Bowl vs. #11 Miami Miami Gardens, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Watch: ESPN Buy tickets »

SUNDAY 12/31 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. 1:00 p.m. Watch: FloHoops

ALL TIMES CENTRAL

MONDAY 1/1

TUESDAY 1/2

WEDNESDAY 1/3

MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Indiana Madison, Wis. 6:00 p.m. Watch: ESPN Buy tickets »

VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »

STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Congratulations to UW’s Student-Athletes of the Month for December. 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.

will johnson ‖ junior ‖ men’s hockey

On pace for a career-high in points and among the team’s leading scorers, Santa Barbara, California junior Will Johnson has developed nice on-ice chemistry with linemates Seamus Malone and Cameron Hughes. He posted a career-long seven-game point-scoring streak with two goals and nine points, the longest point streak on the team this season. He also has one game-winning goal and two primary assists on game-winning goals to help the Badgers to a 10-9-2 mark at the semester break. He has taken summer trips to Haiti to help with maintenance of schools, hospitals and orphanages, and is working towards an economics degree. “Will is both a fantastic teammate and student, that’s always a pleasure to have around the locker room,” head coach Tony Granato said. “He comes to the rink ready to work every day and puts in extra time to become an even better player.”

jessica unicomb junior ‖ women’s swimming & diving

Following up on a season in which she earned first-team All-America honors, junior Jess Unicomb continues to be one of the Badgers’ most versatile and valuable competitors. The Gold Coast, Australia, native has already recorded NCAA championships qualifying marks in 10 events this season while bringing her positive perspective and strong work ethic to UW’s practices and competitions. Earlier this month at the Texas Invitational, Unicomb helped the Badgers score runner-up finishes in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3 minutes, 15.38 seconds) and 200 medley relay (1:37.14), as well as a fifth-place showing in the 800 free relay (7:05.06) — with all three times automatically qualifying the Badgers for the upcoming NCAA championships in those events. Unicomb also holds NCAA “B” cuts in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 200 back and 200 IM, as well as part of UW’s efforts in the 200 free relay and 400 medley relay. Majoring in management and human resources, Unicomb was an Academic All-Big Ten selection last season. 27

BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT

badgers give back

The Shoe Project: Small gesture brings perspective and joy

Seeking a way to give back, Ethan Happ is connecting further with his young fans

BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

hat began as a tedious undertaking for Ethan Happ has evolved into something humbling and joyful, something the junior standout for the Wisconsin men’s basketball team will remember forever. Happ was in the process of moving from one campus apartment to another this summer — sorting, assessing, packing — when he noticed an overflowing bin of UW-issue basketball shoes in his closet. There were nearly two dozen pairs, different brands in varying conditions, all accumulated during Happ’s first three seasons with the Badgers. Some were from his freshman year of 201415 when he came out of Rockridge High School in Milan, Illinois, and redshirted. Some were from his rookie season at UW when he started all 35 games and was voted freshman of the year in the Big Ten Conference.

Some were from his second season in the lineup when the 6-foot-10 forward started all 37 games and was named All-American and defensive player of the year in the Big Ten. While taking inventory of his footwear, Happ had an epiphany. “I’m never really going to wear these and I don’t have a lot of friends that are size 15,” he thought to himself, “so I might as well do some good with them.” So Happ reached out to Patrick Herb, the assistant director of athletic communications who works with men’s basketball, and Jackie Davenport, the community relations director for the UW Athletic Department. Together the three brainstormed and developed a program that has an admirable purpose, if not a fancy name. “I just call it ‘The Shoe Project,’” Happ said. Twenty pairs of shoes matched the number of home games that the Badgers will play this

season, including exhibitions, so it was decided rival Marquette. that Happ would personally give away an auDavenport heard that several kids either tographed pair after every outing at the Kohl brought their newfound treasure to Show and Center. Tell or came to school carrying the shoes from Through her oversight of the Badgers Give class to class. Back program, Davenport took on the task of “That’s pretty cool,” Happ said. lining up recipients. All are under 10 years of Davenport said many of the kids have never age. All are kids who normally wouldn’t have seen a UW basketball game. Some come from access to seats at a sold-out event like UW homes where adversity — illness or parental ismen’s basketball games. All are basketball fans sues — reign. who know of Happ. The three kids on deck — Isaac, Ben and Sam Davenport said the first group of kids came — have multiple family challenges beyond their out of a partnership with the Lussier CommuDown Syndrome, including cancer, autism and nity Education Center. other impairments. The next group hails from Wisconsin Upside Yet, all the kids who are chosen follow the Down, an initiative for kids Badgers. Those who have rewith Down Syndrome. ceived their shoes are awe“I’M JUST GIVING BACK TO Happ credits his parents — struck when they first meet BADGER FANS,” HAPP SAID. father Randy and mother TeHapp, but soon warm to the “THEY’VE SUPPORTED ME resa — for his generous, selfmoment. MY WHOLE CAREER.” less instincts. “They know who he is and “I guess you could say it they’re all excited about it,” was the way I was raised,” said Ethan, who has Davenport said. an older brother, Eric. “This is something that hopefully makes their “My mom is almost too quick to do it. She’s year almost,” Happ said. always giving away our toys, our PlayStation Davenport said Happ emphasized that he and stuff and always trying to help others. didn’t want publicity for The Shoe Project. He We’re like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, we still play just wanted to make a difference somehow. with that.’” “I’m just giving back to Badger fans,” he said. Ethan, fresh off a longer-than-expected “They’ve supported me my whole career.” practice that concluded with a session in the What does Happ get out of the deal? weight room, laughed at the recollection. For one thing, a sense of joy from the kids. He said his desire to give young fans an “It’s an emotional time for them,” he said. emotional boost is one of his priorities. “It’s a memory that will last a lifetime.” “I saw that I had an opportunity being on the For another thing, a sense of perspective. platform that I am where little kids that meet “Win or lose, it brings me back down to earth, me, they’re excited,” Happ said. “It’s awesome really,” Happ said. “When we lose, sometimes to see the excitement on their faces.” I get down on myself and I go in a black hole One of the youngsters, a girl, was ping-pongand I’m upset with myself.” ing excitedly well after Happ had presented He paused. her his shoes and headed for the locker room “But then I realize it’s bigger than one loss to following the non-league game with in-state see a kid excited like that,” Happ said. ▪

DAVID STLUKA

im Leonhard isn’t sure about the next step in his coaching career, or even if there is such a thing. “I’m one of those guys,” he said, “that when I’m doing what I’m doing, I’m kind of good with it.” It seems clear that after just 27 games as a defensive assistant for the Wisconsin football team, Leonhard is doing some eye-catching work for his alma mater. He debuted as a secondary coach in 2016. The Badgers finished second nationally with 22 interceptions, helping prompt UW coach Paul Chryst to elevate Leonhard to be his third defensive coordinator in three seasons. That move has gone extraordinarily well for both parties in 2017. The Badgers are Orange Bowl-bound — preparing to face Miami on Saturday — in part because they lead the nation in total defense. So it’s reasonable to wonder if Leonhard is pondering his next career move. “I’m taking it year by year right now,” he said.

That’s how Leonhard approached his oneof-a-kind career at UW, coming in as a walk-on from tiny Tony in northern Wisconsin (Population: 106) and evolving into a record-setting three-time All-America safety from 2002 to ’04. That’s how Leonhard approached his unique 10-year stay in the NFL, where he began as an undrafted free agent and excelled as a backend defender and kick returner for five organizations from 2005 to ’14 That’s how Leonhard is living his life right now. “I love what I’m doing here as far as (being) the (defensive) coordinator, being at the alma mater and doing it for Coach Chryst,” he said. “I love his approach to football. I love all that stuff.” The next step for Leonhard remains curiously undefined. “As far as the head coaching stuff,” he said, “I don’t really know.”

“H E L OOKE D A T TH E GA M E I N A L O T DE E PE R WA Y TH A N A L M OS T A NY P L AY ER I H A D, ” RYA N SA ID O F LE O N H A R D. “ WI T H O UT QU E S TION , I KN E W TH A T, IF H E CH O SE T O GE T IN TO C OA C H IN G, H E WA S N ’ T G O I N G T O B E A GOOD C OA C H , H E WA S G O I N G T O B E A GRE A T C OA C H . ” DARREN LEE

Those who’ve worked closely with Leonhard maintain he’s capable of making such a step. Chryst approached Leonhard not long after he retired from the NFL in 2014 with 73 starts, 36 passes defended, 14 interceptions and five fumbles recovered in his career. Leonhard was hired to tutor UW defensive backs, replacing Daronte Jones, who left for the NFL and a similar position with the Miami Dolphins. A year later Leonhard was tasked with running the Wisconsin defense, replacing Justin Wilcox, who left to become the head coach at California. Given that employment arc, it’s logical to think Leonhard, at age 35, is head coaching material. “I see it in him,” Chryst said. “He’s a guy who’s great with people. I think he’d be really good.” Rex Ryan spent four NFL seasons coaching Leonhard in Baltimore, where Ryan was the defensive coordinator in 2008, and with the New York Jets, where Ryan was the head coach from 2009 to ’11. “Most former players aren’t very good coaches for whatever reason,” Ryan said. That’s not the case with Leonhard, who considers Ryan a respected mentor. “He looked at the game in a lot deeper way than almost any player I had,” Ryan said. “Without question, I knew that, if he chose to get into coaching, he wasn’t going to be a good coach, he was going to be a great coach.” Ryan, now an NFL color analyst for ESPN, said schools and pro organizations will certainly pursue Leonhard if they haven’t done so already. “He’ll never take a head coaching job if it’s not the right situation for him,” Ryan said. “But I promise you they’re going to come at him.” Though extremely athletic, Leonhard never looked the part of an elite player. He was boyish, 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, when he came to the Badgers. He was youthful, 5-8 and 188 pounds, while playing in the NFL for Buffalo, Baltimore, New York, Denver and Cleveland.

Ryan said Leonhard wasn’t limited by his size in the pros, nor will that be the case in the coaching business. “He might not look the part, but he damn sure is the part,” Ryan said. “He’ll definitely be successful as a head coach if that’s what he chooses to do.” Wilcox said he was impressed with Leonhard’s humility, personality and knowledge the first time they met. “He’s a special guy,” Wilcox said. “I’m not the least bit surprised after getting to know him that he’s doing as well as he is. “People said he’d never been a coach before. Well, I would challenge that. He’s really been coaching for the last 20 years of his life one way or another.” Wilcox said Leonhard will be a head coach someday “if he wants to be, absolutely.” DARREN LEE

It’s unusual to see someone move up the coaching ladder as quickly as Leonhard. Wilcox called him “an outlier” in the profession, a point Chryst fortified. “It’s not conventional,” he said. There was a time before Leonhard returned to UW that he fancied himself as a defensive coordinator. While in the NFL, he began keeping a list of the all-time great players he’d worked alongside — Champ Bailey, Ray Lewis, Von Miller, Ed Reed, Darrelle Revis, Terrell Suggs and Troy Vincent to name a few — inside a spiral notebook. At one point, Leonhard was asked who he’d choose to coordinate such a who’s who of NFL defensive talent. Would it be Ryan or his disciple, Mike Pettine, who operated as Ryan’s defensive coordinator with the Jets before serving as head coach in Cleveland from 2014 and ’15? Neither, Leonhard said. Leonhard’s choice was Leonhard. “It’s an easy job when you’ve got some of the guys I had on the list,” he said with a laugh. Leonhard’s career in the NFL — his reputation for playing intelligent defense — is tied tightly to Ryan. Ryan said he tried to land him as a free-agent punt returner in 2005, but Leonhard, who holds the UW record for most punt returns and yards while returning three for touchdowns, signed with Buffalo. Three years later, Ryan coaxed Baltimore coach John Harbaugh to bring Leonhard in for a tryout. “He was really smart,” Ryan said of Leonhard, a two-time academic All-American with the

DARREN LEE

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Pregame Primer: Orange Bowl vs. Miami

and the reason for it was preparation and a guy Badgers. “He picked up everything. We threw who understood the game and understood eva ton of stuff at him and he’s the only kid that erybody’s responsibilities. picked it up.” “It was a joy to coach someone like that. UnWhen Ryan was hired to coach the Jets, one fortunately, there’s not as many players like of his first orders of business was bringing in that as you’d think. It takes a rare guy and he’s Leonhard. Together they helped turn a unit rare.” that was 23rd in total defense in 2008 to an Leonhard said the foundation of Ryan’s elite force. famed defense was how it was taught using “He was smart,” Ryan said of Leonhard, callthe K-I-L-L philosophy. ing him one of the Keep It Likeable (and) most intelligent play“HE’S A SP E C IA L GU Y, ” WILC OX SA ID. ers he’s ever coached. “I’M NOT THE L E A S T B IT S U RPRIS E D A FTE R Learnable. “He didn’t just know “Everyone talks GETTI NG TO KN OW H IM TH A T H E ’S DOIN G his position. He knew about how complex his AS W E L L A S H E IS. ” all 11 positions. defense was,” Leonhard “He was always prepared and, trust me, I said of Ryan, “but he was such a great teacher gave him more responsibilities and challenged that it seems simple.” him mentally more than almost any player I’ve Ryan said it’s obvious that Leonhard has ever had. adapted the KILL system to his current role. “And he could do it. I’d change his position, “He challenges the guys mentally,” Ryan said. sometimes on the fly. ‘All right, Jim, you’re go“It looks easy from the outside, but for other ing to be the blitzer or you’re going to be the coaches that are trying to come up with ways cover guy.’ He would not make mental mistakes to attack it, it’s extremely difficult.

“TH E RE ’S A DIFFE RE N T L E V E L . N O T E VE RYB ODY PL A YS TH E S A M E D EF E N SE AN D U N DE RS TA N DS IT. W H E N YOU CA N P L AY T H E DE FE N S E TH A T W E ’ VE PL A YE D I N T H E PA ST A N D RE A L LY U N DE RS TA N D IT L I K E J I M D O ES, IT M A KE S A H U GE DIFFE R E N CE. ”

DARREN LEE

“His players are doing a great job of grasping what Jim’s trying to get done there.” Ryan said he likes watching the defenses at defending national champion Clemson, where his son Seth was a wide receiver, and UW because they’re atypical. “These defenses are different,” Ryan said. “They’re game plan-specific defenses. They’re not just run out there and play corners or one or two coverages. They do some things that are a lot different than people realize.

“There’s a different level. Not everybody plays the same defense and understands it. When you can play the defense that we’ve played in the past and really understand it like Jim does, it makes a huge difference.” The Badgers (12-1 overall) currently sit first nationally in total defense and passing efficiency defense, while ranking second in scoring defense and rushing defense heading into their duel with the Hurricanes (10-2) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. How much of Ryan’s famed defensive approach is part of Leonhard’s tactical package? “A little,” Leonhard said. “The biggest thing I try to incorporate at this level is just the flexibility in how you teach guys and the individuality that you take with players. “The NFL and college is so different. To try and incorporate a lot of what he does, it just wouldn’t be the same.” Ryan said one of Leonhard’s strengths is his ability to teach with calmness. “Jim is a guy that’s confident in himself,” Ryan said. “He doesn’t have to go out there yelling and screaming. Those are the guys who are usually covering up something — the fact that they don’t know something themselves. “What he is is a teacher and a communicator. That’s the way he’s always been even as a player. “He did things outside the classroom and you could tell that in his preparation.” Don’t mistake Leonhard’s uncertainty about being a head coach for doubt. “It’s something I know I’d be good at,” he said. “It’s just, ‘Is it the right time? Is it the right place to do that?’ I don’t know if it is.”

What questions must be answered? “It always goes back to family and whether it’s right for the family as far as who, what, when, where and why,” said Leonhard, who has two young boys, Reese and Graham, with his wife Katie expecting another son soon. “It truly does mean everything to me to have the people that have supported me for so long feel like it’s the right move for all of us. “I’m not making any rash decisions based on a phone call from anybody. There’s a lot of thinking involved.” Leonhard emphasized that his acclaim — he was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach — is woven into the quality of his fellow defensive assistants. “Just the knowledge of football that they have has been huge,” Leonhard said, referring to Bob Bostad (inside linebackers), Inoke Breckterfield (line) and Tim Tibesar (outside

linebackers). “I’m so fortunate to have the staff that I have.” Leonhard said he loves the teaching aspect of the game right now and is clearly comfortable in his own skin. He has a veteran secondary and his charges speak highly of him. He has his family close by and has come to embrace the task of recruiting. He has returned to his alma mater and made a difference. Again. “Being a Badger is special,” Leonhard said. But he’s also in demand. Football people wonder about his next step, or if there is such a thing. “I know he loves it at Wisconsin,’ Ryan said. “It’s going to take a special place for him to leave.”

DARREN LEE

DAVID STLUKA

Rudolph’s road to coaching took turns

UW alum turned to coaching after persevering through illness, seeking challenge

BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER

s a young coach, Joe Rudolph derived inspiration from another man’s anguish, Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor who wrote about life in an Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Not standard reading for someone in Rudolph’s profession. But shortly after joining the Wisconsin staff the first time — as an assistant under Bret Bielema in 2008 — Rudolph picked up Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search for Meaning” and couldn’t put it down. Frankl’s critically-acclaimed memoir was originally published in 1946 and sold over 10 million copies before his death in 1997. “It’s a really deep, tough book to get through,” Rudolph conceded. The book review came up in response to a question about his literary tastes.

Noting that he used to rummage through old psychology books, he said, “I really like reading. You can adapt certain mindsets that can help you as a coach … things you can share with the guys.” The 45-year-old Rudolph is now in his second tour of duty as an UW assistant and closing out his third season as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Paul Chryst. Although he’s more comfortable and adept at breaking down a 3-technique as opposed to delving into existential analysis, Rudolph has an appreciation for some of Frankl’s theories. “Between stimulus and response,” Rudolph paraphrased, “lies the freedom to choose.” This is another side, a more pensive side to Rudolph, a member of Barry Alvarez’s first recruiting class and a starting left guard on the

LAUREN ARNDT

1993 Big Ten championship team that won the Rudolph had a negative reaction to an anRose Bowl. ti-inflammatory that he took for a sore shoul“He was really tenacious as a player,” Alvader. rez said of the Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, na“It just ruined my stomach,” he said. “It tive. “He was into it, smart and analytic in his wrecked me and my whole digestive tract. It thinking, and athletic created something for a guard. He actualthat I may have had “HE WAS REALLY TENACIOUS AS A ly came here as a linesome disposition toPLAYER,” ALVAREZ SAID OF RUDOLPH. “HE WAS INTO IT, SMART AND backer.” wards. It was hard to ANALYTIC IN HIS THINKING, AND During the ’93 seaget over the hump.” ATHLETIC FOR A GUARD.” son, Rudolph was the Within a couple of “pulling” guard on an months, Rudolph’s offensive line that featured tackles Mike Verweight dropped from a little over 300 pounds stegen and Joe Panos, center Cory Raymer to 240. and right guard Steve Stark. “I was now in the world of medications,” he “We probably ran 100 powers, at least that said. “I’m taking 20 pills a day and thinking, many, and we ran all but one with Rudy pulling,” ‘What am I doing?’ I saw one doctor and he Alvarez said. “He would finish stuff. If he could tells me that he can take my intestines out. It get an extra shot on somebody, he’d take it.” was a tough time.” During a player survey that appeared in the 1994 Wisconsin media guide, Rudolph’s answers shed some light on his personality and future goals as a senior captain and zoology major. When I played football as a kid, I pretended I was … “Lynn Swann.” I never told anyone that … “I took piano lessons.” People wouldn’t believe me if I told them … “I enjoy reading Shakespeare.” Craziest ambition … “Owning an Italian restaurant.” In 20 years, I would like to be … “A successful doctor.” Pre-med was a serious consideration. But the NFL became a reality. After a short stint in Philadelphia, Rudolph appeared in six games, with one start, for the San Francisco 49ers in 1997. “I got to play a little bit, right?” he said. “And then I got sick — really pretty darn sick.”

“IT WASN’T EASY, BUT YOU REALIZED IF YOU PUT IN THE HARD WORK EVERY DAY CONSISTENTLY, THERE WILL BE THAT SHINING LIGHT AT THE END. I REALIZED IF I COACHED I COULD SHARE THAT AND HELP GUYS EXPERIENCE THAT.”

And it would only get tougher on Rudolph, who returned to Pennsylvania. He kept losing weight, dropping down to 215, a growing cause for concern. He just didn’t feel good, period. “My dad passed away during that time,” he recounted. “And my mom had been sick and we found out she had breast cancer that was pretty advanced.” During this low point, he read a book that would change his life. The author was Elaine Gottschall who wrote, “Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet.” Gottschall outlined the benefits of a Specific Carbohydrate Diet for people who were dealing with such things as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis and celiac disease. “I don’t know if it’s for everyone,” Rudolph said. “But it made sense in my brain and it helped me. You take things out of your diet that allows your digestive tract to heal up a little bit. “White sugar, white flour is pretty much what you tried to eliminate. I adopted the diet and since 1997, I’ve been doing it. I haven’t eaten bread or a cookie or anything like that. “It took me three years to feel good again. After that, I’ve never been sick again. And I’ve been on the diet since. Oh, I’ve cheated. Ice cream night. But I’m smart enough to get right back on it.” While changing his eating habits back then, Rudolph underwent some other personal changes. “During that time, I got to be with my mom and take care of her,” he said. “I got to coach high school ball at Belle Vernon and I went

back and got my master’s degree.” Belle Vernon is less than an hour from Pittsburgh where Rudolph completed work on his master’s in business administration from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. “Going to business school was as much about needing a challenge as it was finding a direction,” he said. “And when I finished I realized the impact that Wisconsin had on me. “When things were the hardest, I leaned back on just working hard and doing what I could control to be the best me. It was taking care of family, doing the diet and coaching kids. “It wasn’t easy, but you realized if you put in the hard work every day consistently, there will be that shining light at the end. I realized if I coached I could share that and help guys experience that.”

DAN SANGER / ICON SPORTSWIRE

Rudolph started calling around to find a graduate assistant job. He got a call back and an offer from Ohio State’s Jim Tressel, whose defensive coordinator was Mel Tucker. Rudolph and Tucker were teammates at Wisconsin. Tucker put in a good word for Rudolph, who worked two years as a GA and a third year as a strength coordinator for the Buckeyes. “I learned a ton,” Rudolph said of his apprenticeship with Tressel. “Mostly, I learned how to get out of my comfort zone at times and work with other positions. It was good for me.” Tressel certainly didn’t have any complaints. “Jim told me that he was one of the best coaches that he has had,” Alvarez said. “He couldn’t say enough good things about him.” Rudolph went from Columbus to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was reunited with his former UW offensive line coach, Bill Callah-

an, who was entering his fourth season as the Cornhuskers head coach. Callahan was already on the hot seat when Rudolph arrived in late February. Rudolph’s wife Dawn gave birth to their first child in early May. And he was out of a job in late November after Callahan was fired. It was a stressful period, but Rudolph learned more about himself as a coach, including how to block out things that were not within his control. There was a lot of self-growth, he confided. “Coach Alvy (Alvarez) helped me when the time was right to come back here,” said Rudolph, who was grateful for one door opening after another had been shut. “I don’t take it for granted.” Bielema hired Rudolph to coach tight ends. Thus, he worked closely with the offensive co-

NEIL AMENT

Charleroi and Belle Vernon. “When he was with the 49ers, I had Rudy talk to the team and I was shocked,” Alvarez said. “I thought he was reading my notes and regurgitating all the stuff I had said when I first came in here. “He remembered everything that we had built the foundation on when we started the program. He lives by and he preaches it to his guys now. He understands Wisconsin. “Rudy has been able to adjust his coaching to his talent and develop kids.” This season, the Badgers have had three offensive linemen earn All-America recognition: tackles Michael Deiter and David Edwards and guard Beau Benzschawel. “It’s always reflective,” Rudolph said of postseason honors. “We talk all the time when we’re in this (meeting) room. There’s not many guys whose pictures are on the walls that were part of 6-6 teams. “It doesn’t just happen. If you win nine or 10 games, more guys are all-conference. If you win 11 or 12 games, more guys get recognized for All-American. It’s team oriented.” The Badgers recently lost a member of their coaching team when graduate assistant Al Johnson took the head coaching job at East Central University, a Division II program in Ada, Oklahoma. “That’s awesome, I’m pumped for him,” Rudolph said of Johnson, a former UW offensive lineman. “I’m most pumped because he’s pumped. He’s excited and he’ll do an outstanding job.”

ordinator, Chryst. Rudolph later accompanied Chryst to Pitt and then back again to Madison. “Paul and I have worked together for a long time,” Rudolph acknowledged, “and we play off each other really well and I think that’s the key.” Scanning the O-line meeting room, he added, “To do it in a place where you sat in the chairs (as a player) is truly unique and to do it for a guy like Paul at this place is pretty special.” Nobody is better suited to measure Rudolph’s growth as a person and coach than Alvarez, who was raised in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, not far from Rudolph’s stomping grounds in

That begged the obvious “Rudy” question, to this year and, boy, you see an incredible dif“Do you want to be a head coach?” ference. And now I want them to be better in “Yeah, possibly, when the time is right,” Ruthis game than they’ve played to this point.” dolph said. “I’ve come to appreciate fits. I’ve Can a team change — moreover, can playseen really good people in a not-so-good fit ers change — between the last game and the and it doesn’t matter that they’re really good bowl? at what they do. “You’ve got to be the same coach,” Rudolph “Finding a fit that you really can be you and said. “You have to demand the same, you have do it the right way is to coach the same. probably the key. If You have to be as “FINDING A FIT THAT YOU REALLY CAN I find that situation, detailed or even BE YOU AND DO IT THE RIGHT WAY IS it would be exciting. more detailed. You PROBABLY THE KEY. IF I FIND THAT When it’s right, it’s have to help them SITUATION, IT WOULD BE EXCITING. WHEN right. And you can’t keep growing. IT’S RIGHT, IT’S RIGHT. AND YOU CAN’T press the time when “If guys think that PRESS THE TIME WHEN IT’S RIGHT.” it’s right.” they’re still getting Rudolph’s undibetter then they’re vided attention, right now, is on Miami and the going to keep working with that mindset. So, Orange Bowl. you just keep challenging them and keep help“I’ve loved the way these guys have competing them and keep showing them ways to get ed and worked and what they’ve been able to better.” accomplish,” he said of an O-line that came into Because somewhere in that space, between the season with some unknowns and question stimulus and response, lies happiness. marks. Even if he never owned that Italian restau“You go back and watch things from last year rant. DAVID STLUKA

E N ZORAGE

E V O C

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INSIDE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (12-1, 9-0)

Home events in bold. All times CT. Sept. 1 Utah State

W, 59-10

Sept. 9 Florida Atlantic W, 31-14 Sept. 16 at BYU

W, 40-6

Sept. 30 Northwestern W, 33-24 Oct. 7

at Nebraska

Oct. 14 Purdue Oct. 21 Maryland

W, 38-17 W, 17-9 W, 38-13

Homecoming

W, 24-10

Nov. 4

at Indiana

W, 45-17

Nov. 11 #25 Iowa

W, 38-14

DAVID STLUKA

Oct. 28 at Illinois

Nov. 18 #19 Michigan W, 24-10 ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Badgers visit Dave & Busters with Big Brothers, Big Sisters

THIS WEEK Sixth-ranked Wisconsin (12-1) makes its first appearance in the Capital One Orange Bowl when it takes on No. 11 Miami (10-2) on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. LAST WEEK The Badgers were last in action Dec. 2, when they fell to Ohio State, 27-21, in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. GOOD TO KNOW UW is one of just seven Power Five teams to win at least 100 games over the last 10 years. The Badgers have

amassed a 100-34 (.746) record since the start of the 2008 season, joining Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Clemson, Florida State and Oregon in the 100-win club. NEED TO KNOW Saturday’s game kicks off at 7 p.m. (CT) and airs live on ESPN, with Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay and Molly McGrath on the call. Matt Lepay, Mike Lucas and Scott Nelson will call the game statewide on the Badger Sports Network. Live stats are available via UWBadgers. com and the Badger Gameday app.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Alvarez: Unforgettable memories of the Orange Bowl

Nov. 25 at Minnesota

W, 31-0

Big Ten Championship, Indianapolis:

Dec. 2

vs. #8 Ohio State L, 21-27

Capital One Orange Bowl, Miami:

Dec. 30 vs. #11 Miami

7 p.m.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Leonhard: ‘Our guys just love football’ ▶ Wisconsin Football adds 26 on National Signing Day

INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (6-7, 1-1)

Home events in bold. All times CT. 2017 Hall of Fame Classic, Kansas City:

Nov. 20 vs. #22 Baylor L, 65-70 Nov. 21 vs. #23 UCLA L, 70-72 Nov. 24 Milwaukee

W, 71-49

Nov. 27 at #18 Virginia L, 37-49

THIS WEEK Wisconsin continues a sixgame homestand this week by hosting Chicago State (Dec. 27) and UMass Lowell (Dec. 30) before resuming Big Ten play on Jan. 2 against Indiana. LAST WEEK The Badgers returned from a nine-day layoff for final exams on campus to rout Green Bay, 81-60, Saturday at the Kohl Center. Freshman Brad Davison led UW with 18 points, while juniors Ethan Happ (14 points) and Khalil Iverson (12 points) also reached double figures.

GOOD TO KNOW UW has shot over 50 percent from the field in each of its last two games, connecting on 54.2 percent combined. NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin’s game vs. Chicago State will be televised on ESPNU, while Saturday’s tilt with UMass Lowell can be viewed on the Big Ten Network. Both radio broadcasts can be heard on the Badger Sports Network. Follow @BadgerMBB on Twitter for updates.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Davison, Happ help Wisconsin cruise past Green Bay

Ohio State

Dec. 4

at Penn State W, 64-63

Dec. 6

at Temple

L, 55-59

Dec. 9

Marquette

L, 63-82

L, 58-83

Dec. 13 W. Kentucky

W, 81-80

Dec. 23 Green Bay

W, 81-60

Dec. 27 Chicago State

8 p.m.

Dec. 30 UMass Lowell

3 p.m.

2018 Jan. 2

Indiana

6 p.m.

Jan. 5

at Rutgers

6 p.m.

Jan. 9

at Nebraska

JOHN FISHER

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Quick Start Helps Badgers Roll Past Green Bay

Dec. 2

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 at #14 Purdue

6 p.m.

Jan. 19 Illinois

8 p.m.

Jan. 23 at Iowa

6 p.m.

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Lucas: Schlundt’s ready to bring the toughness ▶ Wisconsin to retire Frank Kaminsky’s jersey on Feb. 15

INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (7-6, 0-0)

Home events in bold. All times CT. 2017 Paradise Jam, Washington, D.C.:

Nov. 23 vs. Syracuse

L, 74-77

Nov. 24 at G. Washington L, 46-61 Nov. 21 vs. Vanderbilt W, 73-71 OT Nov. 29 at Pittsburgh

W, 58-57

Dec. 2

La Salle

Dec. 4

at #23 Marquette L, 65-88

Dec. 2

UTRGV

W, 82-54

Dec. 8

at Butler

L, 62-69

W, 71-60

Dec. 14 Milwaukee ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Badger Comeback Not Enough Against Milwaukee

THIS WEEK The Badgers return from a well-deserved, two-week break on Dec. 28 to host Iowa at 7 p.m. The No. 21 ranked Hawkeyes come to the Kohl Center to kick off the conference season. LAST WEEK UW took 14 days off after a challenging stretch to end the non-conference season. The last time the Badgers were on the court they lost a 6764 heartbreaker to in-state rival Milwaukee on Dec. 14. Wisconsin was led by freshman Niya Beverley, who put up 13 points while adding a career-high seven rebounds and three assists. Sophomore

Courtney Fredrickson added 11 points and recorded her third career double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds. GOOD TO KNOW Iowa is an impressive 12-1 on the season and is on a fivegame winning streak after losing its only game of the year to Florida State (94-93). NEED TO KNOW The game will be broadcast live on BTN Plus and FLO Hoops. Additionally, the game can be heard live on 100.9 FM with Jon Arias on the call. Live statistics can be found on UWBadgers.com while live updates will be on Twitter (@BadgerWBB).

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

L, 64-67

Dec. 28 #23 Iowa

7 p.m.

Dec. 31 at Purdue

1 p.m.

JACK MCLAUGHLIN

Dec. 10 Savannah State W, 82-24

2018 Jan. 4

#21 Michigan

7 p.m.

Jan. 7

#15 Maryland

2 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Northwestern 7 p.m. Jan. 14 Penn State

1 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Minnesota

7 p.m.

Jan. 21 Northwestern 4:30 p.m. View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Meet the Badgers: Kelly Karlis ▶ Badgers fall in close battle with in-state rival Milwaukee

INSIDE WRESTLING SCHEDULE (4-0, 1-0)

Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 5 at Michigan State Open Results » Nov. 17 vs. Pittsburgh

W, 26-6

Bakersfield, Calif.

Nov. 17 at CSU Bakersfield W, 22-18 Nov. 19 at Roadrunner Open Bakersfield, Calif. Results » Dec. 1-2 at Cliff Keen Invitational Las Vegas Results » Dec. 7

Maryland

Dec. 9

at UW-Whitewater W, 38-3

Dec. 9

at UNI Open

Cedar Falls, Iowa

W, 32-6 Results »

Dec. 29-30 at Midland Championships

▲ TAP TO WATCH - For the W | Season 1 | Episode 1

THIS WEEK Wisconsin heads to the 55th annual Midland Championships in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Friday and Saturday to face 37 other Division I programs. LAST MEET The Badgers competed in two competitions on Dec. 9, splitting up to travel to Whitewater, Wisconsin to take on the Warhawks in a dual and to Cedar Falls, Iowa for the UNI Open. At the day's conclusion, the Badgers grounded the

Hawks 38-3 and won 70 percent of their matches in Iowa. GOOD TO KNOW Leading the way for Wisconsin, Cole Martin finished with a perfect 4-0 record at the UNI Open, clinching the title at 141 pounds.

Hoffman Estates, Ill.

2018 Jan. 12 at Northwestern

7 p.m.

Jan. 19 at Michigan

6 p.m.

Jan. 21 at Michigan State 11 a.m. Jan. 26 Indiana

7 p.m.

Feb. 9 Nebraska

7 p.m.

Feb. 11 at Illinois

1 p.m.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Fans can catch the action all day via BTN2Go (www.btn2go.com), with action beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday and noon Saturday.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Saturday Recap: Whitewater dual and UNI Open

▶ Badgers topple Terrapins in Big Ten opener ▶ Badgering: Evan Wick

THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY

ICON SPORTSWIRE

CAMP RANDALL 100 SPOTLIGHT:

GWEN JORGENSEN

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 ANDY BAGGOT UWBadgers.com Insider

hortly after winning the Crazylegs Classic women’s race in 2010, Gwen Jorgensen offered up a thought to a reporter that still resonates. “I just kind of wanted to come out and use the gift that I’ve been given,” she told the Wisconsin State Journal. The gift is a world-class combination of fitness, endurance and pluck. It allowed Jorgensen to enjoy a unique dual-sport career as a swimmer and distance runner at Wisconsin. It allowed her to claim back-to-back Crazylegs women’s races in 2010 and ’11, crossing the famed Camp Randall Stadium finish line in an unofficial 8-kilometer course record time of 26 minutes, 48 seconds in her debut. It allowed Jorgensen to become a world champion triathlete in 2014 and ’15.

It allowed her to stand atop the Olympic podium, representing the United States, after winning an unprecedented gold medal in women’s triathlon in 2016. Jorgensen is the first UW woman to win an Olympic title in an individual event. A lot of exceptional Wisconsin athletes have found glory inside Camp Randall, but few have followed a path as unique as Jorgensen. She came from Waukesha (Wisconsin) South High School to swim for the Badgers in 2004. She did that for three years before opting for cross country and track. Jorgensen was so accomplished as a student-athlete that she earned the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor in 2009 and received a master’s degree in accounting. She had a job lined up in Milwaukee when USA Triathlon officials encouraged her to try her hand at triathlons, which feature distance swimming, biking and running. The rest is history.

▪▪▪▪ “It’s nice to come back and give back to UW athThe Crazylegs Classic has been around for 37 letics, even if it’s minimal,” she said after winning years and one of its neatest features is the finish her second Crazylegs in a time of 27:47 in 2011. mark at the 50-yard line inside Camp Randall StaJorgensen won a $2,500 Trek bike for finishing dium. first in that race, an appropriate reward that she put The springtime event is named for the late, great to good use in her world-class triathlon training. Hall of Famer Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, who not Now 31, married and a first-time mother after only played halfback for the Badgers inside the giving birth to son Stanley on Aug. 16, Jorgensen 100-year-old facility, he directed its upkeep as athlaid the foundation for her international athletic caletic director from 1969 to reer at UW. ’87. After three years of “I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO The Crazylegs Classic was swimming for the Badgers, COME OUT AND USE THE GIFT introduced as a fundraiser she turned her sights to THAT I’VE BEEN GIVEN.” for the UW Athletic Departcross country and track. She ment, a focus that continues swept the Big Ten indoor tito this day. tles in the 3000 and 5000 meters in 2009 and comThe course winds through the scenic Madison peted at the NCAA championships in both sports. campus and the race attracts participants from all That prep work helps explain why Jorgensen, a over the world. It’s especially popular with UW stutwo-time U.S. Olympian, has won two world chamdents like Jorgensen. pionships, a record 17 event titles in the World Triathlon Series — no other woman has won more than five — and last year finished in the top 20 in the New York City Marathon. Jorgensen is no stranger to finish lines, including those at Camp Randall. For the complete Camp Randall 100 list, visit CampRandall100.com.