MONROE - The 60th annual Monroe Badger Days wrapped up with a hole-in-one and recruiting updates from various University of Wisconsin coaches Tuesday, June 18 at the Ludlow Mansion.
UW men's hockey coach Mike Eaves, women's hockey coach Mark Johnson, women's basketball coach Bobbie Kelsey, men's basketball coach Bo Ryan and Matt Lepay, the voice of the Badgers, paid tribute to the Kubly family for continuing the tradition of Monroe Badger Days, which was started by Pat Kubly's late father, Ray.
"This event is kind of a kick off to the summer, and before long we will be back in Camp Randall watching the football team play," Lepay said. "When you see (the pictures) of Elroy ('Crazylegs' Hirsch), Pat Richter and coach Alvarez, it brings a smile to my face every time I come here."
The Monroe Badger Days is a fundraiser for the UW Athletic Department. Sheila Berrey, the director of Monroe Badger Days, said the event that is organized by Colony Brands strives to raise $80,000 a year for UW athletics.
"I'm sure we will make more than that this year," Berrey said. "We had 150 more people last night and 54 more golfers this year."
Ryan commended the Kublys and Colony Brands for continuing and maintaining the tradition of Badger Days.
"Tradition is so hard to keep," said Ryan, who has guided the Badgers to 15 straight NCAA tournament appearances. "Tradition is so tough to establish and even tougher to maintain."
Jim Bruce, of Monroe, had a hole-in-one during the golf outing for Badger Days on No. 6 at the Monroe Country Club. That came on the heels of his daughter, McKenzie Bruce notching a hole-in-one on No. 6 with a 6 iron on Sunday.
"It's a weird thing," Jim Bruce said of the hole-in-one that needed just two bounces before dropping in. "What are the chances?"
UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez missed Badger Days since he is recovering from knee replacement surgery. The men's hockey team started the season 1-7-1 and then went on to win the WCHA title after battling injuries during the season. The Badgers finished 22-13-7. Eaves paid tribute to the Kublys.
"(Badger Days) should not be taken lightly," Eaves said of the 60-year-old event. "If there was a Hall of Fame for athletic events, you and your group would be in it."
One of the top incoming freshman for the Badgers will be Minnesota Mr. Hockey Grant Besse. The Badgers will begin play in the Big Ten Conference for the first time this year, and the Big Ten Network has agreed to televise 35 to 50 games.
"I think for our fan base it's exciting," Eaves said. "We are big fans of going to the Big Ten. You will know where to go to watch hockey now."
The women's hockey team is taking on a new challenge as nine players are taking part in the U.S. Olympic trials in Lake Placid, N.Y. June 17-23.
"I will have a better idea of what my team will look like after the next 10 days," Johnson said.
Of the nine competing in the U.S. Olympic trials, three played for the Badgers last year including Courtney Burke, Brianna Decker and Alex Rigsby. The others trying out are former Badgers Brooke Ammerman (2012), Meghan Duggan (2011), Hilary Knight (2012), Erika Lawler (2009) and Jessie Vetter (2009). The other Badger invited is incoming freshman Annie Pankowski, who leads a highly touted six-player recruiting class in which every player has played on U18 and younger national teams.
"The women don't have a chance to make money by going pro," said Johnson, who was a member of the 1980 U.S. 'Miracle on Ice' team. "Their dream is to put on the Canadian or American jersey and to represent their country in the Olympics."
The Badgers' men's basketball team will get Josh Gasser back this year. The Badgers return loaded with sophomore Sam Dekker as well as senior guards Ben Brust, junior Traevon Jackson and sophomore George Marshall.
The top incoming freshman for the Badgers is Bronson Koenig, a recruit from La Crosse Aquinas who turned down offers from Duke, Kansas and North Carolina. The recruiting class also includes 6-foot-8 Vitto Brown (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Nigel Hayes (Toledo, Ohio).
"We are hoping Josh Gasser comes back as good as he was before," Ryan said.
The UW women's basketball team battled through injuries last year but will have senior Taylor Wurtz back. Wurtz suffered a back injury this year, but she will return after leading the team in scoring two years ago. Junior Morgan Paige, last year's leading scorer, sophomore AnnMarie Brown and Connecticut transfer Michala Johnson will also bolster the Badgers. The highlights for the Badgers last year were beating seventh-ranked Penn State and winning their first Big Ten Conference tournament game since 2010.
"We would like each one of you to come out to a game and bring 1,000 of your closest friends," Kelsey said.
UW men's hockey coach Mike Eaves, women's hockey coach Mark Johnson, women's basketball coach Bobbie Kelsey, men's basketball coach Bo Ryan and Matt Lepay, the voice of the Badgers, paid tribute to the Kubly family for continuing the tradition of Monroe Badger Days, which was started by Pat Kubly's late father, Ray.
"This event is kind of a kick off to the summer, and before long we will be back in Camp Randall watching the football team play," Lepay said. "When you see (the pictures) of Elroy ('Crazylegs' Hirsch), Pat Richter and coach Alvarez, it brings a smile to my face every time I come here."
The Monroe Badger Days is a fundraiser for the UW Athletic Department. Sheila Berrey, the director of Monroe Badger Days, said the event that is organized by Colony Brands strives to raise $80,000 a year for UW athletics.
"I'm sure we will make more than that this year," Berrey said. "We had 150 more people last night and 54 more golfers this year."
Ryan commended the Kublys and Colony Brands for continuing and maintaining the tradition of Badger Days.
"Tradition is so hard to keep," said Ryan, who has guided the Badgers to 15 straight NCAA tournament appearances. "Tradition is so tough to establish and even tougher to maintain."
Jim Bruce, of Monroe, had a hole-in-one during the golf outing for Badger Days on No. 6 at the Monroe Country Club. That came on the heels of his daughter, McKenzie Bruce notching a hole-in-one on No. 6 with a 6 iron on Sunday.
"It's a weird thing," Jim Bruce said of the hole-in-one that needed just two bounces before dropping in. "What are the chances?"
UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez missed Badger Days since he is recovering from knee replacement surgery. The men's hockey team started the season 1-7-1 and then went on to win the WCHA title after battling injuries during the season. The Badgers finished 22-13-7. Eaves paid tribute to the Kublys.
"(Badger Days) should not be taken lightly," Eaves said of the 60-year-old event. "If there was a Hall of Fame for athletic events, you and your group would be in it."
One of the top incoming freshman for the Badgers will be Minnesota Mr. Hockey Grant Besse. The Badgers will begin play in the Big Ten Conference for the first time this year, and the Big Ten Network has agreed to televise 35 to 50 games.
"I think for our fan base it's exciting," Eaves said. "We are big fans of going to the Big Ten. You will know where to go to watch hockey now."
The women's hockey team is taking on a new challenge as nine players are taking part in the U.S. Olympic trials in Lake Placid, N.Y. June 17-23.
"I will have a better idea of what my team will look like after the next 10 days," Johnson said.
Of the nine competing in the U.S. Olympic trials, three played for the Badgers last year including Courtney Burke, Brianna Decker and Alex Rigsby. The others trying out are former Badgers Brooke Ammerman (2012), Meghan Duggan (2011), Hilary Knight (2012), Erika Lawler (2009) and Jessie Vetter (2009). The other Badger invited is incoming freshman Annie Pankowski, who leads a highly touted six-player recruiting class in which every player has played on U18 and younger national teams.
"The women don't have a chance to make money by going pro," said Johnson, who was a member of the 1980 U.S. 'Miracle on Ice' team. "Their dream is to put on the Canadian or American jersey and to represent their country in the Olympics."
The Badgers' men's basketball team will get Josh Gasser back this year. The Badgers return loaded with sophomore Sam Dekker as well as senior guards Ben Brust, junior Traevon Jackson and sophomore George Marshall.
The top incoming freshman for the Badgers is Bronson Koenig, a recruit from La Crosse Aquinas who turned down offers from Duke, Kansas and North Carolina. The recruiting class also includes 6-foot-8 Vitto Brown (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Nigel Hayes (Toledo, Ohio).
"We are hoping Josh Gasser comes back as good as he was before," Ryan said.
The UW women's basketball team battled through injuries last year but will have senior Taylor Wurtz back. Wurtz suffered a back injury this year, but she will return after leading the team in scoring two years ago. Junior Morgan Paige, last year's leading scorer, sophomore AnnMarie Brown and Connecticut transfer Michala Johnson will also bolster the Badgers. The highlights for the Badgers last year were beating seventh-ranked Penn State and winning their first Big Ten Conference tournament game since 2010.
"We would like each one of you to come out to a game and bring 1,000 of your closest friends," Kelsey said.
