MONROE - University of Wisconsin football coach Paul Chryst attended the 64th annual Monroe Badger Days this week and on Tuesday noted the promise shown by Darlington High School graduate Hunter Johnson, who is set to join the Badgers as a committed walk-on this fall.
"I think he absolutely has potential," Chryst said. "Obviously we think a lot of him, athletically and the person that he is. We're excited."
Johnson was a pivotal part of the Redbirds team that played in state championship games over the past four years. An all-state running back, he rushed for 2,365 yards and 45 touchdowns last season. He ran roughly 11.4 yards per carry.
Despite being listed as walk-on rather than a recruited scholarship recipient for the team, Chryst said Johnson will have the chance to prove himself if he applies a tough work ethic to his game play.
"Once they're there, they're on the team," Chryst said. "It's an equal opportunity, and I think that's the reason we've had so many walk-ons have success."
He also credited Darlington for its athletes. Chryst witnessed another Redbirds player, Alex Erickson, do well as a walk-on athlete. Erickson played for the Badgers as a wide receiver and has gone on to play professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals.
"They've done a good job as a program," Chryst said. "I think for Hunter now, seeing a guy like Alex go through it, it makes it more real for a kid coming out of that school if someone has paved the way."
Chryst added that though Johnson is a versatile player, he anticipates the freshman will serve as running back.
"That's one of the things we like about him; we think he's a heck of an athlete," Chryst said. "He has the ability to do a lot of things, but he's an absolutely stunning running back."
At the Ludlow Mansion, Colony Brands CEO John Baumann thanked the attendees at the Badger Sports Preview Dinner and remarked on the weather Monday and Tuesday.
"The words 'better' and 'better' come to mind," Baumann said. "It was refreshing ... the last few days were really great to be outside, especially from a golfer's point of view."
Since 2015, Baumann said the use of proceeds form Monroe Badger Days have shifted toward scholarships for UW athletes. He noted the booster event has raised $167,000 per year since then, though the goal is to some day raise $1 million. The evening was also an opportunity to announce the newest recipient of a scholarship through the collaboration of the UW Nicholas Match, funded in 2015 by university alumni Ab and Nancy Nicholas.
Monroe graduate Jordan Hirsbrunner was surprised to hear Baumann announce her name as the award winner. Hirsbrunner signed with the Badgers track and field team and will be attending in the fall.
"I'm extremely humbled by this opportunity," Hirsbrunner said. "Growing up in Monroe has been nothing but a great experience. UW has a very rich background, and I'm very excited I get to be a part of that."
During season updates, UW women's basketball coach Jonathan Tsipis shared his hope to recruit more athletes like Jordan to the university.
"It would be really great to see some more Monroe student-athletes wearing the Badger red and white some day," Tsipis said.
Tsipis watched the Monroe girls basketball team makes its way to the WIAA state tournament in Green Bay this year. He noted his car could virtually drive itself down to Monroe and that his kids "are adopted Cheesemakers" at this point because of the time he has spent following the team.
Badgers men's basketball coach Greg Gard was also in attendance, as well as men's hockey coach Tony Granato and women's hockey coach Mark Johnson. Each spoke about their optimism heading into the next season.
"I think he absolutely has potential," Chryst said. "Obviously we think a lot of him, athletically and the person that he is. We're excited."
Johnson was a pivotal part of the Redbirds team that played in state championship games over the past four years. An all-state running back, he rushed for 2,365 yards and 45 touchdowns last season. He ran roughly 11.4 yards per carry.
Despite being listed as walk-on rather than a recruited scholarship recipient for the team, Chryst said Johnson will have the chance to prove himself if he applies a tough work ethic to his game play.
"Once they're there, they're on the team," Chryst said. "It's an equal opportunity, and I think that's the reason we've had so many walk-ons have success."
He also credited Darlington for its athletes. Chryst witnessed another Redbirds player, Alex Erickson, do well as a walk-on athlete. Erickson played for the Badgers as a wide receiver and has gone on to play professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals.
"They've done a good job as a program," Chryst said. "I think for Hunter now, seeing a guy like Alex go through it, it makes it more real for a kid coming out of that school if someone has paved the way."
Chryst added that though Johnson is a versatile player, he anticipates the freshman will serve as running back.
"That's one of the things we like about him; we think he's a heck of an athlete," Chryst said. "He has the ability to do a lot of things, but he's an absolutely stunning running back."
At the Ludlow Mansion, Colony Brands CEO John Baumann thanked the attendees at the Badger Sports Preview Dinner and remarked on the weather Monday and Tuesday.
"The words 'better' and 'better' come to mind," Baumann said. "It was refreshing ... the last few days were really great to be outside, especially from a golfer's point of view."
Since 2015, Baumann said the use of proceeds form Monroe Badger Days have shifted toward scholarships for UW athletes. He noted the booster event has raised $167,000 per year since then, though the goal is to some day raise $1 million. The evening was also an opportunity to announce the newest recipient of a scholarship through the collaboration of the UW Nicholas Match, funded in 2015 by university alumni Ab and Nancy Nicholas.
Monroe graduate Jordan Hirsbrunner was surprised to hear Baumann announce her name as the award winner. Hirsbrunner signed with the Badgers track and field team and will be attending in the fall.
"I'm extremely humbled by this opportunity," Hirsbrunner said. "Growing up in Monroe has been nothing but a great experience. UW has a very rich background, and I'm very excited I get to be a part of that."
During season updates, UW women's basketball coach Jonathan Tsipis shared his hope to recruit more athletes like Jordan to the university.
"It would be really great to see some more Monroe student-athletes wearing the Badger red and white some day," Tsipis said.
Tsipis watched the Monroe girls basketball team makes its way to the WIAA state tournament in Green Bay this year. He noted his car could virtually drive itself down to Monroe and that his kids "are adopted Cheesemakers" at this point because of the time he has spent following the team.
Badgers men's basketball coach Greg Gard was also in attendance, as well as men's hockey coach Tony Granato and women's hockey coach Mark Johnson. Each spoke about their optimism heading into the next season.
