Blog: 'The Voice' with Matt Lepay
October 20, 2009 | General News
Oct. 20, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - With the Badgers in a bye week, "The Voice" of the Badgers took the week off. But his capable partner "Mrs. Voice" contributed this insightful piece this week.
Scene: Childhood home of Mrs. Voice
Setting: Autumn in the mid-1960s
Mrs. Voice, age 5: "Dad, what does bye week mean?"
Dad: "It means a team doesn't play that particular week."
Scene: Home of Mr. & Mrs. Voice
Setting: Autumn 2009
Mrs. Voice: "You have a bye. What are you doing this week?"
The Voice: "I dunno. Probably sleep. Could you write my blog for me?" Since his request was so heartfelt, I am back with more insight and lore about the man we've come to know as The Voice. Admittedly, he does need some rest. He's been glassy eyed since mid-September. I believe you have spent more time with him this autumn than I have.
At the top of this blog you can see his picture. Doesn't he look almost life-like? He hasn't looked anything like that at home since the end of week three. You, Badger fans, get the conscious Matt Lepay. I get the mostly unconscious one. I'm not saying an unconscious Matt is necessarily a bad thing. He can be quite charming while asleep, as well as quiet, cooperative and insightful.
To get Matt back into the day-to-day activities of our household, at least temporarily, I've been following the cat around with a glossy picture of Matt. "This is your other owner. Remember him?"
Sound of hairball being expelled.
When Matt wakes from his midseason coma, I have a few questions to ask:
Does any team really want to win the Big Ten this year? Does Illinois need a big hug? Did you know Iowa would be that good? Can Joe Paterno coach into his 90s? Are you as tired of hearing about Tim Tebow as I am?
Knowing Matt, he'll smile, ask for a sandwich and doze off for another three or four days.
Big Ten football does permeate our home this time of year. So much so that it creeps into my dreams. (Maybe we have the Big Ten Network on too much.) The other night I had a vivid dream where I was supervising kids on a playground. Except the kids were the 11 Big Ten schools.
In one corner I could see Iowa flexing its muscles, looking pretty proud. The other schools were eyeing it enviously. Penn State ran by and sucker punched Iowa. Joe Paterno grabbed Penn State by the ear and dragged it back to the car.
Ohio State was in time-out while Purdue was dancing around, sticking out its tongue.
Michigan and Michigan State were giving each other wedgies.
Indiana was high-fiving Northwestern (who was celebrating its perfect SAT score).
Minnesota was bragging to anyone who would listen about its new house that doesn't have a ceiling.
Wisconsin was consoling Illinois and, yes, gave it a hug.
I don't think Matt would find my dream interesting. I'm sure he has similar dreams himself. Except in his version he's stuck in a room full of Big Ten radio play-by-play announcers. But I bet there are still wedgies and maybe a few hugs.
And with that, Rip Van Lepay will return next week all refreshed and profound with more ramblings about his perspective as "The Voice".
