Running the family business
February 22, 2012 | Men's Hockey
Feb. 22, 2012
The official Gameday Program at each Badgers home series includes player profiles. This feature is just one of the exclusive items available inside the program, which is available for purchase on game day at Kohl Center or online at NationalWClub.com. Today we look at sophomore forward Keegan Meuer, who was featured in the program for the Nebraska-Omaha series. | Purchase Gameday Programs
BY MARK BENNETT
MADISON, Wis. -- If you ever attempt to construct a UW athletics family tree, make sure to save an entire limb for the Meuer family.
There's Kelly Meuer. He was a star for the Badgers on the soccer pitch in the late 70s.
And there's Molly and Katy Meuer-- Kelly's daughters, who also played soccer for Wisconsin.
There's Molly's and Katy's uncles--Jeff and Rob Andringa. The two won three NCAA hockey titles for Wisconsin between 1981-1990. Rob now calls Badger hockey on the radio.
And then, of course, there's Keegan--a sophomore forward for the Wisconsin men's hockey team, following in the many footsteps left behind for him.
The Meuers are about as Madison as the capitol dome, good drinks and political unrest. And does it get much more Madison that State Street Brats?
The Meuers, of course, own the restaurant.
Now none of this is to say by any means that Keegan had the red carpet laid out for him on his way to becoming a Badger.
But when your uncle Rob, who amassed over a 100 career points in his time at Wisconsin, is cultivating your hockey skills, and when your next door neighbor is hockey and all-around Wisconsin legend Mark Johnson, you're on the right path.
"Growing up you just think that's how it works," Keegan said. "You just go to Wisconsin and that's just what you do. But as you get older, you realize the grind it is and the pressures, and what it actually takes to get here--the sacrifices you have to make."
Keegan grew up with a father who knew a thing or two about soccer and two sisters who were among the cream of the crop in the sport. Yet, the soccer never attracted Keegan.
"I hated running," Keegan said. "I hated soccer. I got into hockey so I could move without moving my feet--I could glide ... I always loved hockey ever since I was young."
And Keegan definitely still had support for his hockey endeavors.
"My Uncle Rob [Andringa] worked with me," Keegan said. "He would teach me how to skate better, we would work on technique and he's definitely been one of the biggest parts of my development as a player and I owe a lot to him."
Andringa is quick to give the praise right back to Keegan.
"I give him a lot of credit because it's one thing to have a dream and it's something to have a dream and then fulfill it," Andringa said. "I give him a ton of credit because he's put in the work to get here."
The Badgers weren't always a guarantee for Keegan, however. After winning an all-city honor in hockey when he was 17, Keegan shook Eaves' hand at the banquet and told him he would someday play for Wisconsin. It would be another three years though before the Badgers showed first interest in Keegan.
"But the second Wisconsin came and offered," Keegan said, "There was no decision. It was easy."
"He's got a good head on his shoulders," Andringa said. "He knows what he wants and you got to give him credit for being able to fulfill that dream."
Keegan said having grown up in Madison and surrounded by the Wisconsin tradition helps him to fully appreciate what it means today to be a Badger.
"Growing up here, I came to every game. I was at the Coliseum every weekend and then when the Kohl Center opened up," Keegan said. "I definitely realize how special it is to be at this university and play from this team and try to keep the tradition going."
Keegan said he also feeds off the successes of past stars, realizing what they meant to the program before him.
"You watch guys like Dany Heatley. Steve Reinprecht, Adam Burish, Rene Bourque, Joe Pavelski and you see what they mean to a program and they carry a tradition on. And then you want to instill that in your own team and carry that own tradition as well."
Also allowing Keegan to take charge with this team is his veteran leadership. Although he is currently skating just his sophomore season, as a redshirt, Keegan is in his third year with the program.
"So being as old as I am and having seen the hockey I've seen throughout my career definitely helps," Keegan said. "You know how to handle situations."
After putting together a goal and two assists his freshman campaign, Keegan has seven goals and three assists this season.
"I just want to help the team any way I can," Keegan said. "I want to be a catalyst and a leader--just lead by example and hopefully do the right thing for the team ... Make the hard plays hopefully look easy and make the right plays."
For Keegan Meuer, the family already holds proud to three NCAA hockey titles.
Is there a fourth coming?
"I absolutely see it on the horizon. I can't tell you when it will come, but I see something on the horizon."
Uncle Rob, who shows a lot of pride for his nephew, would be the first to say that, despite any family ties, Keegan has worked hard and has blazed his own trails to where he is today.
"Just because you grew up in Madison and had uncles and other sisters that have played soccer here doesn't necessarily mean you're going to come to Wisconsin. I know it was a big deal to him."
