Camp Randall 100: Sidney Williams

General News

Camp Randall 100: Sidney Williams

Big Ten’s first African-American starting quarterback of the modern era was unlikely trailblazer

General News

Camp Randall 100: Sidney Williams

Big Ten’s first African-American starting quarterback of the modern era was unlikely trailblazer

Camp Randall 100 logo
The Camp Randall 100 is an exclusive list celebrating 100 people who have shaped Camp Randall Stadium's history across the realms of sports, music, culture and beyond. A new honoree will be revealed each day over the final 100 days leading up to kickoff of the Wisconsin football team's season opener with Utah State on Friday, Sept. 1. The Camp Randall 100 reveal is part of a year-long celebration of the history of the iconic stadium, which opened in 1917.
 

MADISON, Wis. — According to at least one account, Sidney Williams had to "beg his way on the squad" in order to join the Wisconsin football team in the mid-1950s. However he got his start, there's no disputing Williams' rapid rise from little-used defensive back to trailblazing quarterback.

Williams seemed an unlikely choice when coach Milt Bruhn tabbed him to provide a spark for the Badgers' struggling offense, but he went on to a successful run under center as the first African-American quarterback in the modern era of the Big Ten Conference.

Read more in Williams' Camp Randall 100 profile.


Camp Randall 100 profiles through June 23, 2017:
Print Friendly Version