Lucas: Thankful for all they’ve done, Badgers honor seniors
December 12, 2015 | Football, Mike Lucas
Paul Chryst credits senior class with carrying team through coaching transition
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BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — Karl and Barb were acknowledged. So were John and Connie, Randy and Christine, Bob and Beth, Carl and Amy, John and Dawn, Dan and Deb, Craig and Andree …
So were all the parents of Wisconsin's seniors during Friday night's banquet at Union South.
Those present were acknowledged by name from the podium. It was a nice personal touch.
In a poignant moment, first-year UW head coach Paul Chryst later thanked them.
"There was nothing more important than your sons," Chryst emphasized. "You parents need to know that what you've done with your kids is big-time.
"The substance on this team just doesn't happen. And it's neat, because it's guys from all over the country, all different backgrounds. But together, there is something special with this group ….
"To the parents, thank you."
Chryst started off by thanking the players.
"Transitions aren't easy," he told them. "Yet, you made it for not just me — but I know for the other coaches — you made it as smooth as it could be.
"And I've been around transitions (he played for three different head coaches at Wisconsin). But you guys made it to where it was always fun to be around. You guys gave us the energy. You guys kept staying the course. It's a big part because of the seniors. But it's more than that."
And he directly addressed the players in the room again.
"I couldn't be more thankful and appreciative of what you guys did on the field to not just earn the right to play in another game but to earn the right to go to a great bowl and play a great opponent."
On Dec. 30, the Badgers will play Southern Cal in the Holiday Bowl.
During his comments Friday night, Chryst also thanked his coaching staff and the assistants' wivesdfs for allowing them to do what they love to do — coach — frequently late into the night.
He then returned to a reoccurring theme by stressing, "This night is about the seniors.
"I personally feel fortunate because a lot of you guys I remember going through the recruiting process with. And to see where you've come and how you've grown, it's impressive.
"This team doesn't do what we did this year without you guys. And you know that and that's something to be proud of and it can never be take away from you.
"The reason we were able to go through and survive maybe the different curveballs thrown our way is because of you guys. That's something you can always truly be proud of."
One of them, outside linebacker Joe Schobert, was named the MVP by a team vote.
"There are a lot of smart, tough, dependable guys trying to uphold the Wisconsin standard," Schobert said of the defensive mindset and success that the Badgers have enjoyed this season.
"Everybody enjoys coming to practice, working hard, getting the game plan and all the new wrinkles we have every week. And we're able to put it all together on Saturdays."
Schobert singled out former linebackers Ethan Armstrong and Chris Borland for the impact that they had on him during his formative years both on the field and in the weight room.
"You always believe in yourself," he said of his own achievements. "But football is the greatest team game and you can't do anything yourself without the other guys on the team doing their work.
"This is a team award, not an individual award."
Wide receiver Alex Erickson, a walk-on like Schobert, was the Offensive Player of the Year.
"This offense has come a long ways this year," Erickson said. "Last year, we had 25 (Melvin Gordon) in the backfield so it was easy to hand the ball to him and watch him go to work.
"This year, we had a lot of challenges … when we got punched in the mouth, a lot of guys stepped up, not just me … so many guys are deserving of mention.
"A lot of the leadership started with Caputo …"
Safety Michael Caputo was the Defensive Player of the Year.
Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda introduced him as "the guy who held everything together."
That was in addition to being a playmaker, he said.
And, of course, with Caputo, there's the obvious. He's the consummate team leader, the glue.
"That's my idea of a leader," Caputo said. "Someone who's always willing to put everything on the line to see the success of the guys that they care about on this team."
Fueling his passion is the sport itself.
"I love everything about it (football)," he said, "from the hitting aspect to the mental part to the teamwork. That's one big thing that is really a contributing factor to why I really love this game."
Caputo lives for game days when he can step between the lines.
"It's what is within those 100 yards and who's there with you — the guys by your side," he said of the game's allure. "That's truly why I love this game and why I'll have to be dragged off the field …"
When his playing days are over.
Wisconsin offensive coordinator and O-line coach Joe Rudolph captured the essence of the night when he pointed out, "You truly see how much the guys on this team care about each other.
"We've always talked about trust, love, commitment and belief being the foundation of the program. Without question that exists here. This group embodies it. The seniors bring that in a big way."
The last two years, the award winners did not speak at the banquet — they were seen but not heard — a curious and odd way to honor the players.
All of that has changed under Chryst.
"Years like this don't just happen," he reminded them. "A lot of you made this happen."
