Bowl-bound Badgers set to depart for Orlando
December 23, 2009 | Football
Dec. 23, 2009
Bowl Central | Countdown to the Champs Sports Bowl Blog
MADISON, Wis. -- After weeks of preparation for the Wisconsin football team’s trip to the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl, Wednesday is the day the rubber finally meets (and leaves) the tarmac.
Wheels-up for the first of two charter planes carrying the Badgers’ travel party of nearly 700 people is scheduled for around 4 p.m. today, as the team, coaching staff and a number of support staff members and their families will depart the Dane County Regional Airport for sunny Orlando, Fla.
The Badgers are set to leave temperatures in the 30s – and an impending storm expected to bring rain, sleet and snow – for a Florida forecast that includes plenty of sun and highs in the 60s and 70s over the next seven days.
Before taking to the skies, however, the Badgers will meet as offensive and defensive units, practice for 12 periods and then meet as a team to go over the trip itinerary.
After dropping off any luggage that didn’t make the trip on the team equipment truck over the weekend, the travel party will depart from Camp Randall Stadium in buses and head to the airport.
The team will eat dinner en route, with the charter flight set to arrive at 7:45 p.m. Eastern time, and then settle into their rooms at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel in Orlando. The only item on the team’s schedule after arrival is a team meeting that includes a visit from Champs Sports Bowl staff.
Thursday then sets up as Monday would during a normal game week, meaning only position meetings and no practice. A Christmas Eve trip to either SeaWorld or Universal Studios is also on the schedule.
From there, the remainder of the trip lays out like a normal game week with a few exceptions, like Friday’s holiday brunch and optional visits to Walt Disney World.
Those that didn’t make the trip on the initial charter, including the UW band and spirit squad, will fly in on a second plane Sunday in time for a performance by the band at Universal Studios and the Champs Sports Bowl Pep Rally, both of which are set for Monday, Dec. 28.
The best way to follow the Badgers’ final bowl preparations is the Countdown to the Champs Sports Bowl blog on UWBadgers.com. The blog will be updated multiple times each day, so be sure to check back often for new information and insight on the team’s time in Orlando.
