18 Badgers To Be Honored On Senior Day
November 20, 2003 | Football
Before Saturday's game against Iowa the Wisconsin football program will recognize 18 senior players and two senior managers on Senior Day at Camp Randall. This year's senior class features captains Lee Evans, Jeff Mack and Jim Sorgi and has been to four bowl games in their five years at Wisconsin. Since this year's senior class was recruited in 1999 the Badgers have compiled a 39-23 overall record. Under head coach Barry Alvarez Wisconsin is 8-3-2 on Senior Day.
Below are comments from coach Alvarez on this year's senior class and comments from several seniors on the significance of Senior Day.
Head coach Barry Alvarez
'Well they started their career going to the Rose Bowl. They 've been to four or five bowl games, four bowl games in five years. You see how they've led this year and how they've gone about their business. I think they've been excellent leaders. They're playing the best football of their careers right now, and I always say that to have a successful year your seniors have to play the best football of their career. I think they all lead by example, off the field as well as on. They go about their business in the right way, they take care of their business in the classroom, they're just good people. They're guys that you'd like to'you'd like to emulate those guys as you recruit. Have people like that in your program every year. So I couldn't be more pleased with them and what they've contributed to our program.'
Wide receiver Lee Evans
'I think you kind of have to enjoy the moment. It's a time to reflect and think about a lot of things but you still have a game to play. Senior day is always emotional. Years passed I've seen a lot of my friends come and go through the program, I've been emotional for them on those days. So I don 't think it will be too much different for me. I'm going to enjoy the moment, enjoy the atmosphere. When kickoff comes then I'll be ready for the game. '
Quarterback Jim Sorgi
'For me it's just a time to get announced in front of the crowd for one last time, and meet your parents at midfield and shed a couple tears and just go on. It's the end of your stay here and you try to enjoy it to the fullest extent. Then, like Lee (Evans) said, you realize you've got a game to play and you've got a game to win. This game has a lot of implications on what happens post-season and I think that's our main focus.'
Linebacker Jeff Mack
'Pretty much it is all about the game, when it comes down to it. It's a special day and my last time running through the tunnel. More than anything though, we just have to win. I am just going to be thinking about the game. '
Safety Ryan Aiello
'It is going to be special for me. It's going to be a sad day. It's a day you never really realized it was going to come. I am going to take it stride like everybody else. I am not going to worry about it, I am going to try and come out with a victory. I am going to play my best and try and come out with a victory for my teammates.'
The following seniors will be honored with their parents on Saturday.
Ryan Aiello
Mark Bell
Byron Brown
Scott Campbell
Chris Catalano
Jason Clemens
Nick Cochart
Pat Ellestad
Lee Evans
Matt Gajda
Travann Hayes
Alex Lewis
Traison Lewis
Jeff Mack
Kyle McCorison
Fred Nieforth
Jerone Pettus
Jim Sorgi
