No, I’m not even going to mention the game.
That ugly, brutal, barely-good-enough, eked-out 16-13 victory over a weak Wisconsin team.
Flush it and move forward.
What I will mention and praise is one of the greatest stadiums and environments I’ve ever been in.
I’ve got a cousin who’s a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, and my folks and I were invited out to Madison for the weekend and the game. So, I got to shed the “journalist” part of my typical student-journalist role and be a fan for the night.
We drove up from Chicago the morning of the contest. A primetime, night game gave us the chance to spend some time on the campus and in the town before the clash. We got the lay of the land from my cousin on a walking tour that morning.The campus is stunning. A healthy combination of old, historic buildings and pristine, state-of-the-art facilities make up one of the most breathtaking campuses I’ve ever stepped foot on.
Badger fans were out early and often. Each restaurant we passed had a steady line of red out the door. Each patio we passed was standing room only, striped overalls and red-clad hats surrounding the spots of green throughout the town. Walking down frat row, a barrage of taunts and heckles rained down on us — nothing I wouldn’t expect from a passionate Big Ten fanbase.
A pep rally at the student section gave me my first look at the UW band. Vibrant uniforms and passionate members were welcomed with rousing cheers as they marched into the amphitheater.
The tubas are a group of their own, running in and out of bars and restaurants playing the fight song hours before the game.
Camp Randall lives up to all the hype, and then some.
A massive cathedral — built on history, passion and tradition — resembles the campus: history and renovations combining to create the ideal environment.
The pregame show on the field again featured the best band I’ve seen all year (sorry, Oregon). The Badgers’ band even played the Oregon fight song while standing in iconic “O” formation. Classy, like 95% of the fans we talked to.
The oldest stadium in the conference didn’t feel too old — that’s to say, they’ve done a good job maintaining it. Video boards could be found just about anywhere and everywhere I looked. Vibrant colors and entertaining video packages lit up a windy night in the midwest.
Wisconsin pulled all the stops to get the crowd into the game. Appearances from Melvin Gordon, a Final Four men’s basketball team and other famous alumni had the packed-in student section rowdy and entertained.
Giveaway hunting caps kept the Badger students warm, and I must admit, I snagged one for myself as a trophy and a momento after the win.
“Jump Around” is to Camp Randall as “Shout!” is to Autzen Stadium. The Badgers’ fans really got rowdy. Being in the upper deck, it was both thrilling and concerning to feel the concrete below my feet bouncing.
But, Wisconsin had a handful of other traditions that I was previously unaware of. “Build me up Buttercup” had nearly as much energy as “Jump Around” as students swayed and sang the old-time tune. Their callback to the PA announcer (who is incomparable to Oregon’s Don Essig) of “1st-and-10 Wisconsin” rang joyfully on the moments when the Badgers were finding rare success.
I’d go back, but if Oregon’s playing there again, I’ll remember some heart medication. A game at Camp Randall was miles above Michigan’s The Big House or Oregon’s Autzen Stadium. Wisconsin has more than earned its reputation as an elite gameday location.
