The Voice: Badgers continue to improve, on and off field
September 16, 2015 | General News
September 16, 2015
BY MATT LEPAY
Voice of the Badgers
MADISON, Wis. -- For those of us who have been around a while, it is never a bad idea to pause and appreciate how impressive the facilities look on the University of Wisconsin campus.
When talking to Barry Alvarez, be it on radio, television or in front of groups at various functions, we enjoy comparing the state of UW athletic facilities today to what they were when he was introduced as head football coach on Jan. 2, 1990.
Camp Randall Stadium always has had a special charm, but let’s be honest: in 1990, it looked a little tired. These days, it is a much different story.
Last Friday, I wanted to make a point of taking a good look at the place. That morning, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the American Family Insurance Gate at Camp Randall. It is a very classy entrance to a building that continues to look better with age.
There is the new and improved weight room, locker room, offices and much more.
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Of course, the improvements go well beyond Camp Randall. From the UW Field House to the Kohl Center. From LaBahn Arena to the Goodman Softball Complex. I could keep going, but you get the picture. The point is today’s student-athletes, and the fans who attend the events, have dramatically better venues to compete in and watch the games.
It is a topic that UW Athletic Hall of Famer Kerry Weiland brought up Friday evening. She was part of the first recruiting class in the history of Wisconsin women’s hockey. She is the first player from that program to enter the school’s Hall of Fame.
Weiland remembers when the team had to get dressed in the old visitors’ locker room at Camp Randall. “It’s not a great place,” she joked. “No couches, no TVs or anything.” They would make their way down the stairs and march to The Shell, where they would put on their skates and helmets. Finally, they would get on the ice for practice.
That was in 1999. Today, as Weiland notes, the players have it a little better, with a “hot and cold tub, a movie theatre, a beautiful locker room with a hockey rink on the floor. My hat is off to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for making it a first-class program.”
At a summer golf outing a couple of years ago, former UW and current Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien told a similar story about the improved football facilities.
That is what they try to do around here -- give the athletes every chance to be successful. With the generosity of so many individuals and businesses, that is possible.
And it must be especially gratifying for Alvarez and others on campus to hear how the athletes, both past and present, appreciate what is happening.
Finally, speaking of first class, that describes the efforts of everyone from the National W Club, UW Athletic Communications, Video Services and the folks at Union South for last week’s UW Athletic Hall of Fame induction program. I tip my cap to W Club executive director Mike Cerniglia, membership and events coordinator Michelle Ballweg and operations director Doreen Dower for organizing a terrific evening.
For those in attendance, it was fun to see the videos for each inductee and hear from Weiland, Paula Bonner, Lizzy Fitzgerald Stemke, Mike Gentile, Devin Harris and Jim Leonhard (Brian Rafalski was unable to attend).
It was a very good week, and a special way to get rolling on another season of Badgers sports.
