MONROE - The culmination of the 58th annual Monroe Badger Days bash Tuesday night was filled with golf, renewed friendships, jokes and recruiting updates from University of Wisconsin coaches.
"It's an amazing event because of all the people who volunteer to put it together," Pat Kubly said. "I think my dad would be happy to believe this. I think we are just privileged to be able to do something for the athletic department."
Kubly said the goal was to raise $70,000 to $80,000 for the UW athletic department.
The two-day event was started by Monroe resident Pat Kubly's father, Ray in 1954. Ray would invite friends and coaches to town for golf and drinks. Pat Kubly took over as Badger Days host in 1967, after his father died. The event is sponsored by Colony Brands.
University of Wisconsin men's basketball coach Bo Ryan made the trip to Monroe, despite a basketball camp.
"Any time you are doing something for the community or athletic department, it's all good," Ryan said. "Whether it's for fundraising or friendship, it's all good. We are in the public eye and there are expectations from us."
UW women's hockey coach Mark Johnson, who guided the Badgers to a national championship, knows the recipe for Monroe Badger Days success.
"It's the people in the community who support Badger athletics and put the time and make the commitment for this event," he said.
Ryan pondered Jon Leuer's chances of getting drafted in Thursday's NBA draft.
"He is who he is," Ryan said. "His numbers are what they are. Don't be disappointed if he's drafted in the second round. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If he doesn't find a job here, he will find one playing basketball overseas."
Ryan also updated Badger backers about the incoming recruiting class. The recruiting class includes Traevon Jackson (Westerville, Ohio), who is the son of Jim Jackson. The other incoming recruits include Jared Uthoff, who was Iowa's Mr. Basketball, 6-foot, 10 inch Frank Kaminsky (Lisle, Ill.) and George Marshall (Chicago, Ill.). The two walk-ons are Jordan Smith (Orono, Minn.) and Air Force transfer Zach Bohannon, who is Jason Bohannon's brother.
The UW football team, which won the Big Ten last year and earned a Rose Bowl berth, will begin its inaugural season in the Big Ten's Leaders Division. The Big Ten will split into two divisions this season after the addition of Nebraska. There will be a Big Ten championship game played this year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Leaders Division will include Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue. The Legends Division includes Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern.
UW head football coach Bret Bielema, who just finished a football camp with 400 high school players, was excited about playing in the Leaders Division this year.
"It will change the world of college football and it will hopefully be exciting for the conference," Bielema said of the split divisions with a championship game.
Bielema also had the chance, as a guest of NFL Network, to be included in the NFL draft coverage after defensive end J.J. Watt (Houston Texans) and offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (Chicago Bears) were selected. Tight end Lance Kendricks was drafted by the Rams in the second round, John Moffitt was picked by the Seahawks in the third round and Bill Nagy was selected by the Cowboys in the seventh round.
"We have had a tradition of developing offensive lineman," Bielema said. "Bill Nagy wasn't even a starter for us. I think that is a great sign of respect for our program."
Former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson, who is playing Class A baseball in the Colorado Rockies farm system in Asheville, (N.C.), hasn't made a decision about whether he will play for the Badgers or national champion Auburn this year. Bielema is prohibited from commenting on Wilson since he is considered a prospect. Wilson, ( 5-11, 202 pounds) who has 8,545 career passing yards, 76 passing touchdowns and 26 interceptions in three years at North Carolina State, could play this fall since he has already earned his undergraduate degree.
The Badgers will kick off the football season Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against UNLV at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers will play in four of the Big Ten's eight nationally televised games including Nebraska Oct. 1 for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Camp Randall Stadium.
The Badgers women's hockey team won its fourth national championship in the last five years last year. The Badgers closed the season with a 27-game winning streak.
"Any time you can win an NCAA championship it's very gratifying and special," Johnson said.
Johnson is also excited about the new hockey rink the Badgers are building.
"In about 13 months we will have a new game and practice facility," Johnson said. "For the first time in the history of the program, we will have a practice facility for the men's team on campus."
UW men's hockey coach Mike Eaves has guided the Badgers to two national titles in the last four years. The Badgers won 21 games last year after losing 11 players (seven to graduation and four turning pro). The Badgers men's team will have 17 of its 20 players as underclassmen next season and there are 13 players from Wisconsin.
"The local high school teams are doing great at producing hockey players," Eaves said.
Eaves is also looking forward to having a new home rink down the road.
"This will carry us into recruiting for a long time."
Bobbie Kelsey takes over the UW women's basketball program after Lisa Stone was fired in March. Kelsey helped Stanford to three Final Four appearances in five years and she played on the Cardinal team that won a national championship in 1992. She has served as an assistant coach for the women's teams at Stanford and Virginia Tech.
"It's one thing to say you have seen it and it's another to say you have played in it," she said.
"It's an amazing event because of all the people who volunteer to put it together," Pat Kubly said. "I think my dad would be happy to believe this. I think we are just privileged to be able to do something for the athletic department."
Kubly said the goal was to raise $70,000 to $80,000 for the UW athletic department.
The two-day event was started by Monroe resident Pat Kubly's father, Ray in 1954. Ray would invite friends and coaches to town for golf and drinks. Pat Kubly took over as Badger Days host in 1967, after his father died. The event is sponsored by Colony Brands.
University of Wisconsin men's basketball coach Bo Ryan made the trip to Monroe, despite a basketball camp.
"Any time you are doing something for the community or athletic department, it's all good," Ryan said. "Whether it's for fundraising or friendship, it's all good. We are in the public eye and there are expectations from us."
UW women's hockey coach Mark Johnson, who guided the Badgers to a national championship, knows the recipe for Monroe Badger Days success.
"It's the people in the community who support Badger athletics and put the time and make the commitment for this event," he said.
Ryan pondered Jon Leuer's chances of getting drafted in Thursday's NBA draft.
"He is who he is," Ryan said. "His numbers are what they are. Don't be disappointed if he's drafted in the second round. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If he doesn't find a job here, he will find one playing basketball overseas."
Ryan also updated Badger backers about the incoming recruiting class. The recruiting class includes Traevon Jackson (Westerville, Ohio), who is the son of Jim Jackson. The other incoming recruits include Jared Uthoff, who was Iowa's Mr. Basketball, 6-foot, 10 inch Frank Kaminsky (Lisle, Ill.) and George Marshall (Chicago, Ill.). The two walk-ons are Jordan Smith (Orono, Minn.) and Air Force transfer Zach Bohannon, who is Jason Bohannon's brother.
The UW football team, which won the Big Ten last year and earned a Rose Bowl berth, will begin its inaugural season in the Big Ten's Leaders Division. The Big Ten will split into two divisions this season after the addition of Nebraska. There will be a Big Ten championship game played this year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Leaders Division will include Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue. The Legends Division includes Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern.
UW head football coach Bret Bielema, who just finished a football camp with 400 high school players, was excited about playing in the Leaders Division this year.
"It will change the world of college football and it will hopefully be exciting for the conference," Bielema said of the split divisions with a championship game.
Bielema also had the chance, as a guest of NFL Network, to be included in the NFL draft coverage after defensive end J.J. Watt (Houston Texans) and offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (Chicago Bears) were selected. Tight end Lance Kendricks was drafted by the Rams in the second round, John Moffitt was picked by the Seahawks in the third round and Bill Nagy was selected by the Cowboys in the seventh round.
"We have had a tradition of developing offensive lineman," Bielema said. "Bill Nagy wasn't even a starter for us. I think that is a great sign of respect for our program."
Former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson, who is playing Class A baseball in the Colorado Rockies farm system in Asheville, (N.C.), hasn't made a decision about whether he will play for the Badgers or national champion Auburn this year. Bielema is prohibited from commenting on Wilson since he is considered a prospect. Wilson, ( 5-11, 202 pounds) who has 8,545 career passing yards, 76 passing touchdowns and 26 interceptions in three years at North Carolina State, could play this fall since he has already earned his undergraduate degree.
The Badgers will kick off the football season Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against UNLV at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers will play in four of the Big Ten's eight nationally televised games including Nebraska Oct. 1 for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Camp Randall Stadium.
The Badgers women's hockey team won its fourth national championship in the last five years last year. The Badgers closed the season with a 27-game winning streak.
"Any time you can win an NCAA championship it's very gratifying and special," Johnson said.
Johnson is also excited about the new hockey rink the Badgers are building.
"In about 13 months we will have a new game and practice facility," Johnson said. "For the first time in the history of the program, we will have a practice facility for the men's team on campus."
UW men's hockey coach Mike Eaves has guided the Badgers to two national titles in the last four years. The Badgers won 21 games last year after losing 11 players (seven to graduation and four turning pro). The Badgers men's team will have 17 of its 20 players as underclassmen next season and there are 13 players from Wisconsin.
"The local high school teams are doing great at producing hockey players," Eaves said.
Eaves is also looking forward to having a new home rink down the road.
"This will carry us into recruiting for a long time."
Bobbie Kelsey takes over the UW women's basketball program after Lisa Stone was fired in March. Kelsey helped Stanford to three Final Four appearances in five years and she played on the Cardinal team that won a national championship in 1992. She has served as an assistant coach for the women's teams at Stanford and Virginia Tech.
"It's one thing to say you have seen it and it's another to say you have played in it," she said.
