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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — What began as a tedious undertaking for Ethan Happ has evolved into something humbling and joyful, something the junior standout for the Wisconsin men's basketball team will remember forever.
Happ was in the process of moving from one campus apartment to another this summer — sorting, assessing, packing — when he noticed an overflowing bin of UW-issue basketball shoes in his closet.
There were nearly two dozen pairs, different brands in varying conditions, all accumulated during Happ's first three seasons with the Badgers.
Some were from his freshman year of 2014-15 when he came out of Rockridge High School in Milan, Illinois, and redshirted.
Some were from his rookie season at UW when he started all 35 games and was voted freshman of the year in the Big Ten Conference.
Some were from his second season in the lineup when the 6-foot-10 forward started all 37 games and was named All-American and defensive player of the year in the Big Ten.
While taking inventory of his footwear, Happ had an epiphany.
"I'm never really going to wear these and I don't have a lot of friends that are size 15," he thought to himself, "so I might as well do some good with them."
So Happ reached out to Patrick Herb, the assistant director of athletic communications who works with men's basketball, and Jackie Davenport, the community relations director for the UW Athletic Department.
Together the three brainstormed and developed a program that has an admirable purpose, if not a fancy name.
"I just call it 'The Shoe Project,'" Happ said.
Twenty pairs of shoes matched the number of home games that the Badgers will play this season, including exhibitions, so it was decided that Happ would personally give away an autographed pair after every outing at the Kohl Center.
Through her oversight of the Badgers Give Back program, Davenport took on the task of lining up recipients. All are under 10 years of age. All are kids who normally wouldn't have access to seats at a sold-out event like UW men's basketball games. All are basketball fans who know of Happ.
Davenport said the first group of kids came out of a partnership with the Lussier Community Education Center.
The next group hails from Wisconsin Upside Down, an initiative for kids with Down Syndrome.
Happ credits his parents — father Randy and mother Teresa — for his generous, selfless instincts.
"I guess you could say it was the way I was raised," said Ethan, who has an older brother, Eric.
"My mom is almost too quick to do it. She's always giving away our toys, our PlayStation and stuff and always trying to help others. We're like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, we still play with that.'"
Ethan, fresh off a longer-than-expected practice that concluded with a session in the weight room, laughed at the recollection.
He said his desire to give young fans an emotional boost is one of his priorities.
"I saw that I had an opportunity being on the platform that I am where little kids that meet me, they're excited," Happ said. "It's awesome to see the excitement on their faces."
One of the youngsters, a girl, was ping-ponging excitedly well after Happ had presented her his shoes and headed for the locker room following the non-league game with in-state rival Marquette.
Davenport heard that several kids either brought their newfound treasure to Show and Tell or came to school carrying the shoes from class to class.
"That's pretty cool," Happ said.
Davenport said many of the kids have never seen a UW basketball game. Some come from homes where adversity — illness or parental issues — reign.
The three kids on deck — Isaac, Ben and Sam — have multiple family challenges beyond their Down Syndrome, including cancer, autism and other impairments.
Yet, all the kids who are chosen follow the Badgers. Those who have received their shoes are awestruck when they first meet Happ, but soon warm to the moment.
"They know who he is and they're all excited about it," Davenport said.
"This is something that hopefully makes their year almost," Happ said.
Davenport said Happ emphasized that he didn't want publicity for The Shoe Project. He just wanted to make a difference somehow.
"I'm just giving back to Badger fans," he said. "They've supported me my whole career."
What does Happ get out of the deal?
For one thing, a sense of joy from the kids.
"It's an emotional time for them," he said. "It's a memory that will last a lifetime."
For another thing, a sense of perspective.
"Win or lose, it brings me back down to earth, really," Happ said. "When we lose, sometimes I get down on myself and I go in a black hole and I'm upset with myself."
He paused.
"But then I realize it's bigger than one loss to see a kid excited like that," Happ said.
