Gathering of Mendota Gridiron Club honors Badgers' past highlights
Bucky Badger and UW Sports Legends Gather for Reunion
On Sunday evening, Bucky Badger, the beloved mascot of the University of Wisconsin (UW), reminisced about his days on the Rose Bowl field alongside UW sports legends and dedicated fans at Rex's Innkeeper restaurant in Waunakee.
The reunion, organised by the Waunakee High School Class of 1985, was a gathering of Badgers fans and former members of the Mendota Gridiron Club. Among the attendees were Barry Alvarez, a former UW Athletic Director and head coach of the team from 1990 to 2005, and Pat Richter, a former UW Athletic Director.
Barry Alvarez expressed his gratitude towards the fans for their continuous support, stating that they have been supportive throughout his and Pat's tenure. Through rough times, the fans remained steadfast in their support, according to Alvarez.
The event featured old friends reminiscing on proud football moments and watching past Rose Bowl highlights. Alvarez mentioned that there were no Rose Bowls when he first arrived, making the subsequent victories even more significant.
Wayne Esser, Executive Director of the Mendota Gridiron Club, was also in attendance at the reunion. Bucky Badger, in high spirits, declared his readiness for the football season kickoff on Thursday.
Though no further information about the nature of the reunion or the participants' interactions was provided, the gathering was undoubtedly a celebration of UW's rich football history and the enduring spirit of its fans.
