MADISON, Wis. — It was another Big Ten matchup and the student-athletes of Wisconsin men's basketball had another exciting evening in store for their BIG Day guest.
Eight-year-old Kendall Gaudreau arrived to the Kohl Center on Jan. 24, for the Big Ten game versus Penn State with her parents and younger brother. Kendall is a patient at the American Family Children's Hospital and has been battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) since December 2014.
When Kendall was first diagnosed and admitted to the hospital in 2014, several members of the Wisconsin men's basketball team visited her. Mark Gaudreau, Kendall's father, says that it was a special day she hasn't forgotten.
Kendall is a life-long Badger fan and returning to the team to join in the Badgers post-game victory huddle was a special moment.
"I would say [Kendall has been a badger fan] from birth. I mean, she had onesies that were Badger," Mark added.
"It was a wonderful experience, getting a poster and signature from all the players. And a few players showed their appreciation by filling out some trading cards; it was a really really nice personal touch."
In the locker room, Kendall saw a few familiar faces, including Nigel Hayes, Zak Showalter and Aaron Moesch. BIG Day experiences are made possible through the Wish Upon a Badger program and American Family Children's Hospital.
Watch the Badgers Give Back video: B1G Day with the Badgers: Kendall. And visit Badgers' Give Back Wish Upon a Badger to learn more about this program and watch additional wish experience videos.
