Badgers Share Holiday Memories
December 24, 2003 | General News
The holidays mean different things to all of us. Food, gifts, friends, parties and sporting events are just a few of the signs that the holiday season is upon us. One thing common for all of us at this time of the year is the memories we have. It could be a special time with family, a gift received or given, or a trip we took.
We've asked several members of the Wisconsin athletics family ' coaches, staff and student-athletes ' about some of their favorite holiday memories. Here's what they had to say '
BEST HOLIDAY GIFT
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lisa Stone: 'The diamond ring I received when I was engaged to be married 16 years ago.'
Men's Track and Field Coach Ed Nuttycombe: 'On December 25, 1981 my first child, Carolyn, was born.'
Sports Information Director Justin Doherty: 'An electric football game I got when I was eight years old. Plugging it in made the metal field vibrate and caused the little plastic players to move around!'
Asst. Men's Track and Field Coach Mark Napier: 'Santa brought me a gallon jar of crunchy peanut butter when I was five years old. I used to eat it with a spoon.'
Asst. Volleyball Coach Christy Johnson: 'A karaoke machine. '
Football player Mark Bell: 'I got Nintendo when I was 12 years old, but my parents had to take it away an hour after we opened it because my brothers and I were fighting.'
Women's Soccer player Molly Meuer: 'Going home to my family and friends is the best present! I love my family and when I am at home I can relax and enjoy everyone's personality that I miss out on daily.'
Assistant Women's Track and Field Coach Loreena Anderson: 'A holster set with the two cap guns, and walkie-talkies.'
BEST HOLIDAY MEMORY
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lisa Stone: 'My brother returning safely from Bosnia.'
Men's Track and Field Coach Ed Nuttycombe: '1981. See my best gift!'
Sports Information Director Justin Doherty: 'Six years ago the football team played in the Outback Bowl in Tampa. It allowed my whole family to be together for Christmas in Clearwater, where my parents live.'
Asst. Men's Track and Field Coach Mark Napier: 'The three trips my wife and I took on Dec. 23, 27 and Jan. 2 to the hospital to have our second child, Hunter, delivered. He was born about 30 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. The first two visits were false alarms!'
Asst. Volleyball Coach Christy Johnson: 'My family went to the Bahamas when I was in high school. We went just before Christmas and actually had tans in our Christmas photos. It was really beautiful and I got to see a part of the world I had never seen before.'
Football player Matt Bernstein: 'My favorite thing about Chanukah is lighting the candles with my family. It is always a fun time of year for family and friends. Now that I am not home during the holidays, I still celebrate with my brother who is also a UW student.'
Women's Soccer player Molly Meuer: 'Going to my grandparents on Christmas Eve. We laugh about old stories, listen to music, eat, open presents and just enjoy each other.'
Women's basketball player Stephanie Rich: 'They are all wonderful, but before my brothers were married we used to (on Christmas Eve night) open our gifts early. So we'd always just sit around, my mom played the music, and we 'd open our gifts starting with Darin, the youngest. We'd always have a nice meal. Mom always cooked. And Christmas Day we'd go to my grandparents ' house.'
Assistant Women's Track and Field Coach Loreena Anderson: 'Christmas at my house and everyone bringing me lots of presents when I was very young. Of course, things have changed over the years!'
Football player Matt Schabert: 'My dad used to hide presents around the house and give me clues on where to find them. So, I had to walk all over the house looking for presents.'
Asst. Women's Basketball Coach Steph Schmitz: 'One year my mother got the bright idea to put all sorts of candles in our fire place and put our tree right next to the fire place. The wax melted and started a fire and we had to call the fire department!'
Here's hoping this time of year brings you, your friends and your families peace and happiness. Best wishes from uwbadgers.com!
