Badger Blog: New faces and new beginnings for Badgers

Wisconsin softball head coach talks about the excitement of moving days in Madison and the beginning of a new semester in the newest Badger blog.

Welcome back to Madison! It's such an exciting time of year to see all the students moving back to campus. Once August 15 hits, its "game on." The moving trucks are furiously moving all the summer visitors and sub-leasers out, as the students return to UW, for a new year. There's an energy on campus that you just have to see, to experience. Maybe it's the lakes, filled with swimmers, paddle boarders, fisherman and boats. Maybe it's the flowers fully in bloom, the yards and patios with cozy seats, lights and umbrellas. More likely than all the beauty, nature, weather, and scenery, I think it's the anticipation for the year ahead, that makes everything come alive.

We are all so lucky to be part of the University of Wisconsin, and the Badger athletics department. What a unique, friendly, caring, community, where kindness and achievement go hand-in-hand.

I'm sure there are other nationally-ranked, academic schools in the country, that can also boast about being named a top-ten public university, yet for all the awards and prestige those academic honors bring, UW Madison, somehow remains one of the most fun, exciting, down-to-earth, fan-friendly, sports towns in the country!

That's what I love about Wisconsin. It's a university filled with brilliant professors, students, and administrators that are so normal, caring, selfless and happy. At a school where people could act with pretense, or elitism, there's inclusion and collaboration. In an athletics department that could hang its hat on national championships, final fours and Rose Bowls, you'll only hear coaches talk about work ethic, grit, grinding it out and team-first mentality.

We have a lot of new faces in the program this year, starting with our new assistant coach, former All-Big Ten and All-American, Danielle Zymkowitz. Coach Z, is wrapping up her sixth summer with the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch League), Chicago Bandits, as they head to Alabama to defend their 2015 World Championship. I know that Danielle will empower our student-athletes, helping them become the best possible version of themselves. Her humble approach to coaching is very player-centric. Her goal is to take what our athletes already do well and maximize it.

We will also welcome one transfer, Brooke Wyderski (IL), two formerly injured players, Steph Lombardo (WI), and McKenna Heim (IA), and five fabulous freshmen: Kayla Konwent (WI), Kate Menz (IA), Sydney Lawson (IA), Jordan Little (WI) and Heather Rudnicki (WI). That's a lot of new faces, new personalities and fresh talent to incorporate into a talented returning group, led by first team All-Big Ten and all-region junior, Kelsey Jenkins (AZ), and all-region senior, Chloe Miller (IA).

We're looking forward to an exciting year with a great group of young women, representing the University of Wisconsin across the country.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Badger Blog: New faces and new beginnings for Badgers

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