Issuu

INFOCUS

SPRING (FOOTBALL) HAS SPRUNG Wisconsin is back in action for spring season and enjoyed its first practice outside in Camp Randall Stadium on Sunday. The Badgers hold their annual Spring Game on Friday, April 13 at 6 p.m. CT. Tickets are $5 and proceeds will benefit the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. PHOTO BY BRANDON HARRISON

INFOCUS

ICY ELATION Sophomore Mekenzie Steffen celebrated her game-tying goal — bringing the score to 3-3 — in the third period of the Badgers’ Frozen Four matchup with Colgate on Friday. The late-night battle ended in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss for Wisconsin in double overtime. PHOTO BY JIM ROSVOLD

INFOCUS

FAMILY FOCUS Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native Taylor Steeno cheered on sister Kaylee last week during the annual All Boathouse 2K, in which all three rowing teams get together to race their fastest erg times for 2000 meters before the racing season begins. PHOTO BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO

INFOCUS

EYE OF THE TIGRE For their third-place finish at last weekend’s Hawkeye-El Tigre Invitational, the women’s golf team brought home some hardware in the form of a brightly-colored tiger. PHOTOS BY WISCONSIN GOLF

CONTENTS

LAUREN ARNDT

MARCH 21, 2018 ▪ VOLUME 8, ISSUE 28

BADGER BLUEPRINT As a new Badger, Olive Sagapolu appreciated the mentorship he received from experienced Wisconsin football teammates. Now, as a senior, mentoring others is something he has embraced wholeheartedly.

IN FOCUS

14 LUCAS AT LARGE 17 BY THE NUMBERS 19 WHAT TO WATCH 23 BADGERING

LUCAS AT LARGE

PATH TO CANTON

ICON SPORTSWIRE

FEATURES

Embarking on retirement, Badgers great Joe Thomas reflects on his dominant decade in the NFL and how his mentality put him on the path to Canton.

24 BADGERS GIVE BACK 35 INSIDE SOFTBALL 37 INSIDE TENNIS

41 INSIDE SWIM & DIVE

47 INSIDE ROWING 48 BADGER HISTORY

JACK MCLAUGHLIN

43 INSIDE GOLF

BADGERING

KELSEY JENKINS

The senior second baseman shares her teammate that’s surprised her the most this season and the hardest softball skill to master. 11

Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711

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LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER

Thomas’ mentality put him on path to Canton

oe Thomas was trying to keep his emotions in check Monday during a press conference that celebrated his career — 11 NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns — and foreshadowed a trip to Canton. “I went over it a few times and kind of went to that place with my brain,” said the 33-year-old Thomas, “where I wouldn’t think about anything that would get me too emotional.” He even used humor, cracking on former coaches and teammates, to keep it light. “I wanted to make sure I could hold it together,” he went on, “and get out the proper thanks to all the people who deserved

it. I thought it went pretty well.” But he started to lose it at the end of his prepared remarks. Especially while thanking the loyal Browns fans who will honor him with his own day: No. 73 will be toasted on 7/3 in Cleveland. That night, Thomas drew a standing ovation after being introduced during a timeout of the Cavaliers-Milwaukee Bucks game. LeBron James bearhugged Thomas. A legends thing. All along, James has been assuring everyone, “He’ll be in the Hall of Fame soon.” Thomas started to lose it again. “I was able to hold it together — for the most part — the whole

day,” he said. Over the years, Thomas has collected and filed away these heartfelt moments. Like the one from 2006 and his final Wisconsin game at Camp Randall Stadium. “Those are the days that you remember forever,” he was saying Tuesday. “Those are the ones you think about when you’re telling your kids about your football career. “Those are the days, 10 to 20 years from now, when you’re sitting around with your buddies and former teammates, and they’re going to come up in conversation over a couple of beers.”

▼ TAP TO WATCH - Cleveland Brown for Life: Joe Thomas

RICH KANE / ICON SMI

▪▪▪▪ Less than 24 hours after his retirement, when everyone was still talking about him, and his potential future as a TV analyst, Thomas was talking about a Cleveland teammate and another Joe. “Joe Schobert has been awesome,” Thomas said. Schobert, a former UW walkon from Waukesha and a fourthround draft pick in 2016, tied for the league lead in tackles (144) and was one of only three defensive players to take every snap (1,068). That durability alone endeared Schobert to Thomas, who saw his own personal streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps come to an end in late October because of a season-ending triceps injury. That also ended Thomas’ string of 10 straight Pro Bowls. As it turned out, Schobert was Cleveland’s lone representative in the game, replacing injured Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier. “His career to this point,” Thomas said of Schobert, who’s found a home at middle inside linebacker, “perfectly represents what it means to be a Badger; what it means to come from the state of Wisconsin. “It’s sort of, ‘I’m willing to do anything for my team.’ He has the mentality that, ‘I’m going to come to work every day and give my best effort.’” It’s tempting to call it the Joe Thomas mentality. But Thomas would clearly reject it and likely suggest a more all-encompassing label, something like the “Wisconsin mentality.” Or the Badger Way.

It would surely apply to another Waukesha native on the Cleveland roster, starting guard Kevin Zeitler, who prepped at Wisconsin Lutheran and was a 2011 All-American for the Badgers. Zeitler played every snap (1,068) last season. So, did center Travis Frederick (1,065) in Dallas and tackle Ryan Ramczyk (1,037) in New Orleans. Did someone say the Badger Way?

“THE HARD WORK, THE BLUE-COLLAR MENTALITY, THE UNSELFISHNESS, THE TEAMFIRST ATTITUDE,” THOMAS SAID. “THOSE CORE VALUES THAT THE FOOTBALL TEAM HAS, THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS, THAT THE STATE HAS … THOSE ARE ALL THE QUALITIES THAT BECAME A PART OF WHO I AM AND SHAPED ME AS A PERSON AND AN ATHLETE.” “The hard work, the blue-collar mentality, the unselfishness, the team-first attitude,” Thomas said, reciting attributes. “Those core values that the football team has, that the university has, that the state has … those are all the qualities that became a part of who I am and shaped me as a person and an athlete.” ▪▪▪▪ Thomas was mentored at Brookfield Central High School by another not-so-ordinary Joe … Joe Panos, the face of UW walk-ons and the co-captain of the 1993 team that won the Rose Bowl.

“We maintained a good friendship through college and the NFL,” Thomas said of Panos, who’s now a successful NFL player agent. “He’s a guy who I still talk to this day.” Paul Chryst is also on speed dial. Thomas couldn’t remember their first meeting. Maybe it was in the nurse’s office at the high school. Joe’s mom was the nurse and Chryst was the in-state recruiter in charge of landing Thomas. “Paul was the lowest man on the totem pole with the Badgers at the time,” Thomas joked. “You couldn’t get any lower. He was below assistant team managers and equipment staff interns.” For the record, he was the tight ends coach. Turning serious, Thomas said, “From the moment I met Paul, we hit it off. We both had the same sense of humor. We saw football the same way. We saw life the same way. “Really, he was a big reason why I decided to go to Wisconsin.” Thomas took football recruiting trips to Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Colorado and Nebraska. “I was still mulling track and field at the time, so I also visited Kansas,” said Thomas, who threw the shot and discus. “I wanted to visit there to see if that was the best thing for me at the next level.” UW coach Barry Alvarez, along with track coach Ed Nuttycombe, countered the Jayhawks by laying out a plan whereby Thomas could compete in both sports, logistically and effectively. Click to read more »

BY THE NUMBERS

FOOTBALL ▼ Wisconsin has won 141 games over the last 14 years, making the Badgers one of just six Power Five conference programs to average 10 wins per season over that span. UW joins Alabama (154), Ohio State (153), Oklahoma (147), Georgia (143) and USC (141) in that club.

141 DAVID STLUKA

DAVID STLUKA

▲ WOMEN’S GOLF Senior Lexi Harkins recorded her third top-10 finish of the season, earning a share of second place at last week’s Hawkeye-El Tigre Invitational in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

WALT MIDDLETON

GREG ANDERSON

▼ WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING Sophomore Beata Nelson made history at last week’s NCAA championships, becoming the first woman with three sub-50 second swims in the 100-yard backstroke. After going 49.78 at the Big Ten meet in February, Nelson added a relay split of 49.83 and a time of 49.92 that earned her a runner-up finish and All-America honors in the 100 back.

▲ WOMEN’S TENNIS With a team-high 21 wins, Lexi Keberle (21-7) has the most victories by a UW freshman since Kelsey Grambeau went 21-14 in her debut season of 2014-15. 17

FORWARD Be a difference-maker during the University of Wisconsin’s Annual Campaign — it’s what Badgers do. AllWaysForward.org

WHAT TO WATCH

HOME HITS

SOFTBALL VS. RUTGERS FRIDAY, MARCH 23 ▪ 1:30PM GOODMAN DIAMOND ▪ BTN2GO

KELLI GRASHEL

DAVID STLUKA

Wisconsin opens its home season and Big Ten play this Friday and Sunday with a three-game series vs. Rutgers. Friday’s doubleheader is set for 1:30 and 4 p.m. while Sunday’s game begins at 11 a.m. All three games will be live streamed on BTN2Go.

ticket info

FREESTYLIN’

MEN’S SWIMMING AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY, MARCH 24 ▪ 3:45PM MINNEAPOLIS ▪ BTN2GO

Wisconsin senior Victor Goicoechea travels to the 2018 NCAA Championships this Saturday in Minneapolis to race in the 1,650yard freestyle. A live stream of his race will be available on BTN2Go and live results will be available via the Meet Mobile app.

COLIN JAMISON

CAGE THE HAWKEYES

MEN’S TENNIS VS. IOWA SUNDAY, MARCH 25 ▪ 2:30PM NIELSEN STADIUM ▪ UWBADGERS.COM Wisconsin returns home to Nielsen Tennis Stadium on Sunday to host Big Ten foe Iowa. Fans can catch live scoring and video via the men’s tennis page on UWBadgers.com. 19

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 3/21

THURSDAY 3/22

FRIDAY 3/23 WOMEN’S GOLF at Clemson Invitational Sunset, S.C. All day

WOMEN’S GOLF at Clemson Invitational Sunset, S.C. All day

WOMEN’S TENNIS at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. 2 p.m.

MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Championships Minneapolis 3:45 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Championship info »

SOFTBALL vs. Rutgers (Doubleheader) Madison, Wis. 1:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Ticket info »

SUNDAY 3/25

MONDAY 3/26

TUESDAY 3/27

MEN’S GOLF at Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate Awendaw, S.C. All day

WOMEN’S GOLF at Clemson Invitational Sunset, S.C. All day SOFTBALL vs. Rutgers Madison, Wis. 11 a.m. Watch: BTN Plus Ticket info »

SATURDAY 3/24

WEDNESDAY 3/28

SOFTBALL vs. Northern Iowa Madison, Wis. 2 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Ticket info »

WOMEN’S TENNIS vs. Michigan State Madison, Wis. 11 a.m. View more 3/25 events »

ALL TIMES CENTRAL

VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »

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BADGERING...

KELSEY JENKINS

Kelsey Jenkins is looking to close out her Wisconsin softball career with a flourish. A senior second baseman from Tucson, Arizona, Jenkins has reached base in all 24 games to date and currently leads the Badgers in hits, runs and walks heading into the home-opening Big Ten Conference series with Rutgers at Goodman Diamond that starts Friday. Jenkins is a two-time allBig Ten first-team pick, including the first UW player chosen as a freshman. She’s hit three home runs in a game. She’s scored a school-record 146 runs. She’s got the best career on-base percentage in program history. She’s got her eyes set on playing for the Canadian national team, a prestigious honor once earned by her mother, Shannah. Kelsey’s ultimate goal is to play for Team Canada in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Jenkins took a moment after practice early this week to talk about being the best scooter driver on the team, the teammate that’s surprised her the most this season and the hardest softball skill to master. BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

Is there a teammate who’s surprised you this season? “Haley Hestekin, our freshman pitcher. A lot of pitchers come and (say) they did this and did that in club ball, but it’s how you compete here. Haley has surprised me so much with the way she competes on the mound and the way she’s just grown. It (usually) takes years for that to develop and it’s just so impressive that she can come in and compete against top teams in the nation. She wows me almost every time she walks out on the mound.” What’s the hardest softball skill to master? “This is kind of nerdy, but mastering all dimensions of the plate as a hitter. There’s up and in and low and in. Everyone wants to hit all quadrants of the plate and truly be able to master hitting. Not a lot of hitters can do that.” DAVID STLUKA

What’s atop your bucket list? “Right now I’m competing for a spot on the Canadian national team. The top right now is to be an Olympian.” Is there something you know you’re better at than anyone else on your team? “I’m the best scooter driver on the team.” Click to read more »

BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT

badgers give back

Wish experiences humble and inspire Badgers Meeting kids like Terrell provide very special moments

BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

n his role as assistant coach for the Wisconsin men’s basketball team, Howard Moore crosses paths with a lot of teenagers like Terrell. “A little quiet kid just taking it all in at our shoot-round,” Moore recalled. “Big eyes. Excited, but holding it all in and not being too excited. You’ve got to keep your cool about yourself when you’re that age.” This was Feb. 19, the night the Badgers hosted Minnesota in a Big Ten Conference game at the Kohl Center. Terrell, a 16-year-old who attends Madison’s East High School, was born with the same sickle cell gene that took the life of his father. Terrell is in pain on a daily basis and makes routine visits to American Family Children’s Hospital for blood work, but he’s the type of kid who says he tries to live life “the best I can”

and whose favorite quote, from NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, is a keeper. “I can accept failure,” Jordan said. “I can’t accept not trying.” Terrell was on hand the night UW rolled to a 73-63 victory over the Gophers because it was part of his Wish Upon a Badger experience. Not only did Terrell see Wisconsin players and coaches up-close, he had interactions with the likes of junior center Ethan Happ, junior forward Khalil Iverson and freshman guard Brad Davison. In fact, Davison sent Terrell multiple video messages after Terrell underwent surgery earlier this year. Terrell also sat down with Moore and had a heartfelt 10-minute chat with someone who also knows that life can be cruel.

“The message I tried to relay to him was to “I don’t think he wanted to be treated like a step out of your shell sometimes and just be victim. I just think he wanted to get some enyou,” Moore said. “Be a strong person even couragement and wanted to know that there though you’re going through some things. are people on his side. “I have people in my family going through “I tried to personalize it by letting him know some of the things that he’s going through, so that I know people close to me, that are loved I told him to stay strong ones, that are in the and believe in the peosame boat.” “I JUST SAT RIGHT NEXT TO HIM AND ple that he’s with and Moore did most of the LET HIM KNOW THAT, HEY, MAN, never lose faith in yourtalking, but the beneWHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH self.” fits were shared equally OTHER KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH... Moore, a former UW during the get-together I JUST THINK HE WANTED TO GET player, grew up in Chiarranged through the SOME ENCOURAGEMENT AND cago and knows firstBadgers Give Back proWANTED TO KNOW THAT THERE hand how dangerous gram. ARE PEOPLE ON HIS SIDE.” those streets have be“It’s 50-50,” he said. “It come. His 70-year-old humbles me to the point uncle, Leroy, was killed last summer when he where I think I’ve got something going on in my was apparently caught in the cross fire of gang life that’s tough, it’s really not that bad. violence. “Yet when you can give some encourage“I just sat right next to him and let him know ment and inspiration to a young person like that, hey, man, what you’re going through oththat, that’s self-rewarding and I’m glad I was in er kids are going through and other people go that position. through,” Moore said of Terrell, whose favor“I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to have ite pastimes are playing baseball and Ultimate the words at the moment to give to those Frisbee. kids.” ▪

Today’s lesson focused on Williams getting out of his stance. React and go. The first step. Literally. “I’m trying to get him used to reading blocks right off the snap,” said Sagapolu, a veteran of 36 career games and 18 starts. “That takes a lot of repetitions. That’s what the spring is for. “You’ve got to get your eyes right.” Your head, too. And, by the sounds of it, Williams has his screwed on the right way. Especially for someone so new to the college football culture, someone so young and impressionable. The Badgers will stage their spring game April 13 at Camp Randall Stadium. The following day, Williams is hoping to return home to

JACK MCLAUGHLIN

fter practice, Bryson Williams, a freshman, dutifully tagged along with Olive Sagapolu, a senior-to-be and the only defensive lineman with starting experience on Wisconsin’s roster. Their destination was the blocking sled in the McClain Center. “We’re about to do some extra work,” declared Sagapolu, the 339-pound nose tackle. While their teammates cleared the field, grabbing Gatorade bottles on the way to the locker room, the 21-year-old Sagapolu kept the 18-year-old Williams after class for some personal instruction. “I’m trying to teach Bryson how to do things,” Sagapolu said.

“OLIVE HAS TAKEN ON A MENTORING ROLE,” SAID BRECKTERFIELD, “THAT’S WHAT THE OLDER GUYS DID WITH HIM, THEY KIND OF MENTORED HIM. NOW, HE’S PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF AND HE’S DOING THE SAME. IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE THAT.”

Lincoln, Nebraska, for his prom at Southeast High School. He bypassed his final semester in order to enroll early at UW, joining the Badgers in January. “Yes, technically, he’s still in high school,” Sagapolu allowed, referring to Williams’ experience level. “But he carries himself well. He’s progressing. I’m excited to see what he can do for us and what his future holds. “He’s responsible enough to ask Coach or me whenever he has problems.” Coach is “Coach Nokes” — Inoke Breckterfield, who tutors the D-line at Wisconsin. During his formative stages, Sagapolu pointed out that “I had a great coach like Nokes teaching me” and now Sagapolu is passing along his knowledge to Williams, much to the delight of Breckterfield.

“Olive has taken on a mentoring role,” said Breckterfield, who also coached with Paul Chryst at Pittsburgh, where he mentored reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. “That’s what the older guys did with him, they kind of mentored him. Now, he’s picking up where they left off and he’s doing the same. “It’s always good to see that.” It’s a proven blueprint, players and coaches agree — the Badger blueprint. On his mentoring role, Sagapolu conceded, “It’s a little new for me. But it’s something I love doing.” You won’t hear any complaints from the “mentee” who has been following his every step. “It’s no secret,” Williams said, “I’m trying to get to where he’s at.”

▪▪▪▪ etting here took some work and patience. Sagapolu was born in Hawaii, raised in American Samoa, and attended middle school and high school (Mater Dei) in southern California. “Sometimes I get confused on where I should say that I’m from and I just say, ‘I’m from the West,’” joked Sagapolu, whose family is now living in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, 30 minutes from Honolulu. When he’s back home, he will usually meet up with UW offensive lineman Micah Kapoi, who’s from Kapolei (less than five miles from Ewa Beach). “We’ll grab some grub,” said Sagapolu, grinning. Polynesian food is big in his life. But not as big as faith and family. Sagapolu takes pride in his heritage as far as, “This is who we represent, this is who I am, and this is what my family is made of.”

DAVID STLUKA

Two uncles, Domato and Tupe Peke, played at Michigan State and in the NFL. They’ve been supportive of Sagapolu, who understands how he can impact others like they have impacted him. “I had a lot of guys take me under their wing when I was a young guy,” he said of his freshman year at Wisconsin. “Guys who were always in my ear — telling me what to do and how to play.” They were the core guys on the defensive line; guys like senior Jake Keefer, junior Arthur Goldberg, sophomores Chikwe Obasih, Conor Sheehy and Alec James. They helped mentor Sagapolu. Last Wednesday, NFL hopefuls Sheehy and James took part in Pro Day at the McClain Center. Obasih, who has entered the business world, was there for support. So was Sagapolu. “It was exciting and good to see my boys,” said Sagapolu. “They looked smooth in all the drills and they tested really well for themselves. It was awesome seeing them chasing their dreams.” The Badgers will be hardpressed to replace the production and savvy of Sheehy (54 games, 32 starts), James (54, 26) and Obasih (49, 31). Their departures have put Sagapolu in that mentoring mode. “It’s a little different for him because he’s the only senior,” James said. “But he’s a guy who’s always doing the right things even when no one is watching. He’s always in here doing extra work.” And that tends to rub off on others, James hinted, especially younger, less experienced players. Breckterfield saw the same signs once everyone returned to campus after the Orange Bowl win.

DARREN LEE

“Olive would bring all the D-linemen in here size, he’s agile enough to execute a standing on Saturdays and they’d work out and go back flip, the full splits, and a mid-air leaping through some drills on their own,” Brecktertoe touch. field said. “He was the guy who got everything This spring, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett settled that way.” Rand, a converted nose tackle, are flanking Since he was going to be there anyway on Sagapolu on the line of scrimmage. Loudermilk weekends, Sagapolu will be a sophomore enjoyed organizing the and Rand will be a jugroup. “BEI NG A SENIOR N OW, I TA L K TO TH E GU YS nior. “Everybody knows “I told them,” BreckABOUT THEIR PA S S RU S H A N D H OW TO TA KE me for coming in and C AR E OF THEI R B ODY A N D S TU FF L IKE TH A T. terfield said of Sagaworking on a little bit polu, Loudermilk and WE’R E A VE RY YOU N G GROU P. B U T I’ M of my pass rush and a Rand, “it’s your group EXC ITED F OR W H A T TH E S PRIN G H OL DS. ” little bit on the run,” he now. You have to be said. “I want to be fathe leaders and do miliar with it, so I don’t second-guess myself what the other guys did before you. when playing. “I’m cross-training everybody. Garrett knows “Being a senior now, I talk to the guys about nose and he’s going to play end. I’m training their pass rush and how to take care of their Olive and Bryson to play some 4-I (4-techbody and stuff like that. We’re a very young nique, head-up on the offensive tackle). All of group. But I’m excited for what the spring my ends will be in that zero spot (head-up on holds.” the center) in some nickel packages. We want Last season, Sagapolu had three quarterback to stay versatile with guys who can do multiple sacks among his 17 total tackles. Despite his things.” ▼ TAP TO WATCH - Sports Lite with Mike Hall: Olive Sagapolu Interview

DAVID STLUKA

“EVEN WITH THE YOUNGER DEFENSIVE ENDS, I’M TEACHING THEM HOW THEY SHOULD BE PLAYING LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE D-LINE GREAT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE’RE FAMILY, THE D-LINE FAMILY.” Over the past three seasons, Sagapolu has frequently come out of the game when the Badgers have added an extra defensive back against spread offenses or in obvious passing situations. “My goal is to be an all-down guy,” said Sagapolu, who’s planning on losing 10 pounds or so. “I feel like I can be a bigger impact at 330. And I want to get faster and stronger in the weight room.” Along with that, he added, “Increasing my football IQ is going to be a big thing for me.” Sagapolu has shared his personal checklist with Williams. From play to play, he grades himself on his reactions off the snap, his physicality in taking on blockers and his pursuit of the ball. “He has been great,” said the 6-2, 306-pound Williams. “He has always taken extra time to help me out with the plays and footwork and all of that. His footwork and hand placement are great. “That’s why I’m always behind him — seeing

what he’s doing and trying to duplicate it. The main difference from high school is you’re not just reading a certain play, you’re reading everything.” So far, Breckterfield has gotten a positive read on Williams, a two-time first-team allstate selection in Nebraska. The well-rounded Williams also excelled in the shot put and the classroom. “He’s an explosive kid, he’s strong in the weight room and he’s smart,” Breckterfield said. “He has a good work ethic and a great attitude. He wants to learn, and we’ll grow him as much as we can this spring.” It’s ironic that Sagapolu is majoring in community and non-profit leadership — “I like helping kids, I love to work with kids,” he said — given his youthful supporting cast on the D-line. “Even with the younger defensive ends,” he said, “I’m teaching them how they should be playing little things that make the D-line great. At the end of the day, we’re family, the D-line family.”

INSIDE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE (13-11, 0-0)

Home events in bold. All times CT. at USF Under Armour Invitational, Clearwater, Fla.:

Mar. 2 vs. Central Michigan W, 5-2 vs. South Florida L, 1-3 Mar. 3 vs. Coll. of Charleston W, 10-8 vs. W. Michigan W, 7-0 Mar. 4 vs. Wright State W, 12-0 at Wildcat Invitational, Tucson, Ariz.:

Mar. 9 vs. #24 USC-Upstate W, 2-0 vs. #9 Arizona L, 0-1 Mar. 10 vs. #9 Arizona vs. South Dakota Mar. 11 vs. San Diego

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Extra Innings || Season 1 || Episode 2

THIS WEEK Wisconsin opens the conference season and home slate with three games against Rutgers on Friday at 4 p.m., at noon on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. LAST WEEK The Badgers enjoyed a week off after competing in their last non-conference tournament of the season in Arizona. UW tallied wins against No. 24 USC Upstate and South Dakota but fell twice to Arizona and to San Diego.

GOOD TO KNOW Gabby Scherle leads the conference and ranks second in the nation with 11 sac bunts, averaging 0.46 sac hits per game. NEED TO KNOW Fans and media can follow the action at Goodman Diamond via the team’s Twitter (@BadgerSoftball). Additionally, live statistics and live stream links will be provided on the softball schedule page on UWBadgers.com.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Menz fans 10 batters in win over No. 24 USC Upstate

L, 4-7 1:30/4 p.m.

Mar. 25 Rutgers Mar. 27 Northern Iowa

11 a.m. 2 p.m.

KELLI GRASHEL

Mar. 23 Rutgers Doubleheader

L, 3-9 W, 6-3

Mar. 30 at #18 Ohio State 5 p.m. Mar. 31 at #18 Ohio State 1 p.m. April 1 at #18 Ohio State 10 a.m. View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Badgers defeat South Dakota, fall to No. 9 Arizona ▶ Badgers unable to withstand late surge from San Diego

INSIDE MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (9-6, 1-1)

Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 28 vs. Kentucky

L, 1-4

Stillwater, Okla.

Feb. 3

East Tenn. State

W, 4-2

Green Bay

W, 4-0

Feb. 9

at Oregon

L, 2-5

Feb. 11 at Washington Feb. 15 Marquette

L, 2-5 W, 6-1

Feb. 17 at Minnesota

L, 2-5

Feb. 23 Pennsylvania

W, 6-1

Feb. 25 at Middle Tennessee L, 3-4 Mar. 4

Cornell Green Bay

Mar. 17 at Nebraska Mar. 25 Iowa Mar. 30 Penn State

THIS WEEK Wisconsin (9-6) returns home to Nielsen Stadium on Sunday for another Big Ten match against a very capable Iowa team. The Hawkeyes check in at No. 40 in the ITA rankings and should provide the Badgers with their toughest home challenge of the season. The match is set for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Live scoring and video will be provided for fans.

a 4-3 win in Lincoln. It was only fitting that junior Osgar O’Hoisin — a Dublin, Ireland, native — would clinch the dual match for the Cardinal and White on St. Patrick’s Day.

LAST WEEK The Badgers earned a riveting win over Big Ten foe Nebraska on Saturday, taking home

NEED TO KNOW Keep up with all things Badger tennis on Twitter (@BadgerMTennis).

GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers are 8-0 at home on the year which improves Wisconsin’s home record to 28-6 under third-year head coach Danny Westerman.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

W, 4-2 W, 4-0 W, 4-3 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m.

Apr. 1

#2 Ohio State Noon

Apr. 7

at Purdue

11 a.m.

Apr. 8

at Indiana

11 a.m.

Apr. 13 #8 Michigan

3 p.m.

Apr. 15 Michigan State Noon Apr. 20 at #7 Illinois

3 p.m.

Apr. 22 at Northwestern

Noon

Apr. 27-30 at Big Ten Tournament Iowa City, Iowa View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ 5 Things to Know: Wisconsin vs. Iowa ▶ Luck of the Irish(man): Wisconsin pulls out 4-3 victory

INSIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (8-7, 2-1)

Home events in bold. All times CT. ITA National Team Indoor Championship:

Feb. 9 #3 Florida

L, 0-4

Feb. 10 #21 Wake Forest

L, 0-4

Feb. 11 #10 Michigan

L, 0-4

Feb. 17 vs. Arizona Las Vegas

L, 3-4

Feb. 18 at UNLV Feb. 23 at Virginia Tech

L, 1-6

Feb. 25 vs. James Madison Blacksburg, Va.

L, 3-4

Mar. 3

L, 3-4

at Minnesota

Mar. 16 Rutgers

W, 7-0

Mar. 18 Maryland

W, 5-2

Mar. 23 at Purdue

2 p.m.

Mar. 25 Michigan State ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Badgers Top Maryland for Second Straight Win

THIS WEEK Wisconsin hits the road again, heading to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on Purdue as Big Ten play continues. The match is set for Friday, March 23 at 2 p.m. CT. The Badgers then return home that weekend to host Michigan State at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, March 25. LAST WEEK UW hosted Rutgers on Friday, March 16 as the Big Ten home opener and Maryland on Sunday, March 18. Wisconsin improved to 8-7 on the year

overall and 2-1 in conference play after a 7-0 sweep against the Scarlet Knights and a 5-2 thriller over Maryland. GOOD TO KNOW Six Badgers are above .500 in Big Ten singles matches this season. Freshman Lexi Keberle leads the team with a perfect 3-0 mark.

CANCELLED

11 a.m.

Apr. 6

Penn State

Apr. 8

Ohio State Noon

5 p.m.

Apr. 14 at #5 Northwestern 11 a.m. Apr. 15 at #7 Illinois

Noon

Apr. 20 at Nebraska

5 p.m.

Apr. 22 at Iowa

Noon

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin home matches are free to the public. Follow live scoring here and live streaming video here.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Badgers win thriller over Maryland ▶ Badgers spoil Scarlet Knights’ visit in Big Ten home opener

INSIDE SWIMMING & DIVING SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. All times CT. Feb. 21-24 at Big Ten Men’s Championships Results »

Minneapolis

Mar. 5-7

at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Minneapolis Results »

Mar. 14-17 at NCAA Women’s Championships Results »

Columbus, Ohio

Mar. 21-24 at NCAA Men’s Championships

Minneapolis

View full schedule/results »

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Nelson Takes Second in 100 Backstroke at NCAA Championships

THIS WEEK Senior Victor Goicoechea will represent the Badgers at the NCAA men’s championships in Minneapolis, swimming Saturday in the 1,650-yard freestyle. LAST WEEK Led by three first-team All-America swims from sophomore Beata Nelson, the Wisconsin women secured a 17th-place finish at the NCAA women’s meet in Columbus, Ohio.

GOOD TO KNOW In finishing second in the 100yard backstroke, third in the 200 back and sixth in the 200 IM, Nelson became the second swimmer in school history to earn All-America honors in three individual events at a single NCAA meet, something Ellen Stonebraker also accomplished in 1999.

Irvine, Calif.

WALT MIDDLETON

July 25-29 at USA Swimming National Championships

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Goicoechea’s race at the NCAA men’s meet is set for 3:45 p.m. Saturday, with a live stream available via BTN2Go and live results available via the Meet Mobile app.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Nelson caps NCAA meet with third All-America finish ▶ Beata the Badger: Nelson ready to make a mark for UW

INSIDE MEN’S GOLF GREG ANDERSON

SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. Sept. 24-25 at Northern Intercollegiate Results »

Sugar Grove, Ill.

Oct. 1-3

at Marquette Invitational Erin, Wis. Results »

Oct. 8-9

at Windon Memorial Skokie, Ill. Results »

Oct. 23-24 at Pinetree Intercollegiate Murfreesboro, Tenn. Results » 2018 Feb. 9-10 at Big Ten Match Play Palm Coast, Fla. Results » Mar. 12-13 at Colleton River Results » Collegiate

Bluffon, S.C.

Mar. 25-27 at Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate

LAST TIME OUT The Badgers saved their best for last, climbing the leaderboard on the final day of the Colleton River Collegiate to place seventh a week ago in Bluffton, S.C. THIS WEEK UW returns to South Carolina this weekend to play in the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in Awendaw, S.C. Three Badgers in the lineup this week, junior Jordan Hahn and sophomores Pete Kuhl and Nick Robinson, competed at last year’s Bulls Bay tournament.

OF NOTE Hahn shot a 2-under par 70 in the final round of the Colleton River Collegiate to rocket up the leaderboard and finish with a share of 20th place. It was his third top-20 finish this season. GOOD TO KNOW Freshmen Sam Anderson and Griffin Barela have combined to play 31 of a possible 34 rounds this season. Barela has played in every tournament while Anderson did not play in the season’s second event, the Northern Intercollegiate.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

Awendaw, S.C.

Mar. 31-Apr. 1

at D.A. Weibring Invitational

Normal, Ill.

Apr. 14-15 at Boilermaker Invitational

West Lafayette, Ind.

Apr. 27-29 at Big Ten Championships

Baltimore, Md.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Badgers finish seventh at Colleton River Collegiate ▶ AmFam Championship extends agreement at U-Ridge

E N ZORAGE

E V CO

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INSIDE WOMEN’S GOLF SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. Sept. 17-19 East-West Match Play Results » Oct. 6-8

at Bettie Lou Evans Results » Invitational

Lexington, Ky.

Oct. 21-22 at Cardinal Cup

Results »

Simpsonville, Ky.

at UCF Challenge Orlando, Fla. Results »

2018 Feb. 4-6

Feb. 25-26 at the Westbrook Spring Invitational Peoria, Ariz. Results » Mar. 16-17 at Hawkeye-El Tigre Results » Invitational

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Mar. 23-25 at Clemson Invitational

LAST TIME OUT The Badgers rebounded from a tough opening round to catapult up the standings over the final 36 holes and earn a thirdplace finish at the Hawkeye El-Tigre Invitational in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last weekend. THIS WEEK UW starts its spring break on Friday with the first round of the Clemson Invitational. Wisconsin will compete with Clemson, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Texas A&M, UNC-Wilmington, Indiana, Tulane, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Tennessee, Harvard and Ohio State.

OF NOTE Wisconsin sat in 10th place after a first round 301, but posted the best second round score among the 12 teams then kept the momentum going as one of just three teams to break 300 in the final round. GOOD TO KNOW Senior Gabby Curtis recorded her sixth top-20 finish in seven events this season. She was joined in the top 20 by fellow seniors Lexi Harkins and Aya Johnson.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

Sunset, S.C.

Apr. 8-10

at Silverado Showdown

Napa, Calif.

Apr. 20-22 at Big Ten Championships

Cincinnati, Ohio

May 7-9

NCAA Regional View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Wisconsin grabs third in Mexico ▶ Badgers obliterate school record at Westbrook Invitational

INSIDE WOMEN'S ROWING SCHEDULE

Home events in bold. Sept. 16 at Milwaukee River Challenge Results »

Milwaukee, Wis.

Oct. 6-7

vs. Iowa/Indiana

Iowa City, Iowa

Oct. 8

at Head of the Rock Rockford, Ill. Results »

Oct. 29

at Minnesota

Nov. 4

Class Day Regatta

2018 Mar. 17-18 at Cardinal Invite Oak Ridge, Tenn. Results » March 31

vs. UCF/Miami

Sarasota, Fla.

April 7

at Big Ten Double Dual (Ohio State, Rutgers)

Baraboo, Wis.

April 14-15 at Clemson Invitational

THIS WEEK Wisconsin takes a week off from competing over spring break, traveling for a training trip to Sarasota, Florida. The Badgers return to racing March 31 with a trip back to Sarasota to face Miami and host UCF. LAST WEEK The Badgers opened the season at the Cardinal Invite in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, placing boats in the top-three in every race of the weekend.

GOOD TO KNOW When Wisconsin takes on UCF and Miami at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida on March 31, the Badgers will get a look at the course for this season’s NCAA Championships.

Clemson, S.C.

April 28-29 vs. Syracuse/Princeton

Princeton, N.J.

May 12

at Big Ten Championships

Indianapolis, Ind.

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Check out UWBadgers.com, @BadgerRowing on Twitter and Badgerwrowing on Instagram for coverage of the Badgers’ spring break training trip.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Callie at the Catch: Tis the season ▶ UW openweights kick off 2018 season at Cardinal Invite

THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY

CAMP RANDALL 100 SPOTLIGHT:

TROY VINCENT

The Camp Randall 100 honors a prestigious group of 100 people who shaped the first century of Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin Athletics revealed a new honoree every day from May 24 through the Badgers’ 2017 opening game vs. Utah State Sept. 1.

BY ANDY BAGGOT UWBadgers.com Insider

ne of the first things you see when you walk into Troy Vincent’s office at NFL Headquarters on Park Avenue in New York City is a framed photo of Camp Randall Stadium. It serves as a constant reminder to Vincent about the genesis of his marvelous career in football, one that includes a trying, but nonetheless fruitful stop at Wisconsin. It also represents a valuable reference point for what constitutes a special environment. Vincent came to Madison from Trenton, New Jersey, in 1988 to play cornerback for then-coach Don Morton. Two years, four victories and 22 games came and

went before Morton was fired, paving the way for the Barry Alvarez era to begin. Vincent played at such a dynamic level during his last season with the Badgers that he was a firstteam All-American and was chosen by Miami in the first round of the NFL draft in 1992. Looking back, Vincent mentioned no specific highlights from playing at Camp Randall even though eight of his nine career victories and two of his four career touchdowns with the Badgers came at home. Vincent’s enduring memory of Camp Randall is bigger than anything he did or saw. “It was a trying time from a win-loss standpoint,” he said of his career at UW, “but when I think of Camp Randall, it was frankly what sold me when I came on my recruiting visit.” Which was?

JUSTIN TAFOYA / NCAA PHOTOS

▪▪▪▪ to earn advanced business degree certificates from During Troy Vincent’s four years at Wisconsin, Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern and Pennsylvania. he never experienced a winning season (1-10, Vincent is currently executive vice president for 2-9, 1-10, 5-6), never saw Camp Randall sold out operations for the NFL. (75,053 was the high and 29,776 the low) and nevA key moment in Vincent’s career came when Aler beat a ranked opponent (0-10). varez was hired away from Notre Dame, where he Given all that, Vincent believes he was part of was the defensive coordinator, to take over at UW. something special. It just took him a while to come “There were two different worlds from my freshto that conclusion. man-sophomore years to “It took me a long time, my junior-senior years, “IT WAS A TRYING TIME FROM A WIN-LOSS years, to wrap my mind and a totally different dySTANDPOINT,” HE SAID OF HIS CAREER AT UW, around (the fact) these namic on Saturday,” Vin“BUT WHEN I THINK OF CAMP RANDALL, IT people are still showing cent said. WAS FRANKLY WHAT SOLD ME WHEN I up and we’re not a good Alvarez and his staff CAME ON MY RECRUITING VISIT.” product,” he said of Badimmediately raised the gers fans. “It was the afbar of expectations even finity and the love of the university, of the Saturday though it took four years for the talent to catch up experience.” to it. Why did it take so long? The Badgers were 1-10 overall when Vincent “Typically people follow winners because of onwas a junior and 5-6 when he was a senior. field results,” Vincent said. “This was about the SatUW closed the 1991 season with back-to-back urday tradition of what it’s like in Madison, Wisconwins over Minnesota, 19-16, and Northwestern, sin, on a Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall. 32-14. “Frankly, the game was a byproduct of the Saturday experience that so many families, student body To read the rest of the story, click here. For the and faculty … all came together. complete list, visit CampRandall100.com. “As a player you’re like, ‘Man, we just got beat and this wasn’t a fun game.’ Or ‘This was a game we could have won.’ “And they’re still here,” Vincent said. The Morton era was a turbulent time at UW. He was ultimately hired to replace Dave McClain, who died suddenly of a heart attack during the spring of 1986, but proved to be a poor fit. Vincent turned out to be the most accomplished of the four Morton recruits to earn All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors for the Badgers. The others were guard Chuck Belin, linebacker Gary Casper and kicker Rich Thompson. Vincent, who owns a degree in urban and regional planning from UW, played for four NFL teams during his 14-year pro career — Miami, Philadelphia, Buffalo and Washington — and was named All-Pro in 2000, ’01 and ’02. He was tabbed for five Pro Bowls (1999 to 2003) and finished with 47 career interceptions. He’s among those specified for consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Off the field, Vincent was named Walter Payton Man of Year in the NFL in 2002 and carved out time