MONROE - Red-clad party-goers schmoozed University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez as he worked his way through an hors d'oeuvre line sampling cheese at Ludlow Mansion Tuesday evening.
A jungle of red and white balloons and streamers engulfed the dining room as golfers found a place to lounge and find out what they may have won.
Bill Hunter, a professional card shark with a passion for Bucky, weaved his way from table to table, dazzling admirers with his cunning, bewildering tricks. It wasn't a belated Barack Obama victory celebration or rally for winning the Democratic presidential nomination.
When UW women's basketball coach Lisa Stone autographed a basketball for a Relay for Life auction, it was just a snapshot of the 55th annual Monroe Badger Days at the Ludlow Mansion.
The two-day Badger bash wrapped up Tuesday night with 225 fans getting the chance to meet and eat dinner with various University of Wisconsin coaches.
Monroe Badger Days is a public relations director's fantasy and a child's dream.
It is a novel sales pitch for any coach. Talking football, basketball or hockey is an instant conversation starter for most men. No relish, cheese trays or pretzel bowls are required.
Monroe Badger Days serve as more than a fund raiser for the University of Wisconsin's athletic department. In a state renowned for cheese and brats, the chance to meet and greet some of the Big Ten's top coaches turns some loyal supporters into big kids.
Butch Strickler of New Glarus said he has been attending Badger Days since the 1950s.
"It's kind of a homecoming for everybody," Strickler said. "They do it right. Everything is class."
Monroe Badger Days was started by Pat Kubly's father, Ray, in 1954. Ray would invite friends and coaches to town for drinks and golf. Pat Kubly took over as Badger Days host in 1967 after his father died.
Pat said Badger Days soared when former University of Wisconsin athletic director Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch came to an event. Hirsch was drafted by the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference, where he played from 1946 to 1948. He served as UW's director of athletics from 1969 to 1987.
"(Hirsch) was probably one of the only football players who ever made a movie about himself, starring himself," Kubly said.
Kubly is proud to see the longtime event continue.
"You see a lot of old friends," Kubly said. "Many you don't see more than once a year."
"I think it's about tradition," Alvarez said. "When I came here 20 years ago, the Monroe day was one of happiness and everyone looked forward to and appreciated."
Last year Monroe Badger Days raised $82,155.10 for UW athletics.
Alvarez said the funds raised go in the athletic department's general fund.
"The people down here make it happen," Alvarez said.
Sheila Berrey, public relations manager at Swiss Colony and a Badger Days Committee chair, said the Swiss Colony staff make the event possible. It's no secret the Badger Days tradition is rooted in an allegiance to the Badgers.
"We have a lot of Badger backers," Berrey said. "It's something they look forward to year after year."
Voice of the Badgers, Matt Lepay, has selfish reasons for enjoying the event.
"Selfishly speaking, it's great for me," Lepay said. "You come down here and realize how nice it is that people still listen to the radio."
UW men's basketball coach Bo Ryan is elated with the hardcore following.
"No one gets better support than we do around the nation," Ryan said. "It's just a great reminder that people love cheering for the Badgers and rooting for their home university."
A jungle of red and white balloons and streamers engulfed the dining room as golfers found a place to lounge and find out what they may have won.
Bill Hunter, a professional card shark with a passion for Bucky, weaved his way from table to table, dazzling admirers with his cunning, bewildering tricks. It wasn't a belated Barack Obama victory celebration or rally for winning the Democratic presidential nomination.
When UW women's basketball coach Lisa Stone autographed a basketball for a Relay for Life auction, it was just a snapshot of the 55th annual Monroe Badger Days at the Ludlow Mansion.
The two-day Badger bash wrapped up Tuesday night with 225 fans getting the chance to meet and eat dinner with various University of Wisconsin coaches.
Monroe Badger Days is a public relations director's fantasy and a child's dream.
It is a novel sales pitch for any coach. Talking football, basketball or hockey is an instant conversation starter for most men. No relish, cheese trays or pretzel bowls are required.
Monroe Badger Days serve as more than a fund raiser for the University of Wisconsin's athletic department. In a state renowned for cheese and brats, the chance to meet and greet some of the Big Ten's top coaches turns some loyal supporters into big kids.
Butch Strickler of New Glarus said he has been attending Badger Days since the 1950s.
"It's kind of a homecoming for everybody," Strickler said. "They do it right. Everything is class."
Monroe Badger Days was started by Pat Kubly's father, Ray, in 1954. Ray would invite friends and coaches to town for drinks and golf. Pat Kubly took over as Badger Days host in 1967 after his father died.
Pat said Badger Days soared when former University of Wisconsin athletic director Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch came to an event. Hirsch was drafted by the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference, where he played from 1946 to 1948. He served as UW's director of athletics from 1969 to 1987.
"(Hirsch) was probably one of the only football players who ever made a movie about himself, starring himself," Kubly said.
Kubly is proud to see the longtime event continue.
"You see a lot of old friends," Kubly said. "Many you don't see more than once a year."
"I think it's about tradition," Alvarez said. "When I came here 20 years ago, the Monroe day was one of happiness and everyone looked forward to and appreciated."
Last year Monroe Badger Days raised $82,155.10 for UW athletics.
Alvarez said the funds raised go in the athletic department's general fund.
"The people down here make it happen," Alvarez said.
Sheila Berrey, public relations manager at Swiss Colony and a Badger Days Committee chair, said the Swiss Colony staff make the event possible. It's no secret the Badger Days tradition is rooted in an allegiance to the Badgers.
"We have a lot of Badger backers," Berrey said. "It's something they look forward to year after year."
Voice of the Badgers, Matt Lepay, has selfish reasons for enjoying the event.
"Selfishly speaking, it's great for me," Lepay said. "You come down here and realize how nice it is that people still listen to the radio."
UW men's basketball coach Bo Ryan is elated with the hardcore following.
"No one gets better support than we do around the nation," Ryan said. "It's just a great reminder that people love cheering for the Badgers and rooting for their home university."
