FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Back on 9/11/01 I was the midday news editor at the statewide Wheeler News Service in Madison. I had never felt more pressure in my media career. We were located on the square in Madison and I must have made a dozen trips (one block) to the state capitol to get state reaction. I ended the day depressed thinking I had let our clients down due to poor news coverage. Four months later I received a state news award for my work that infamous day. Of the many awards that I have received, I'm most proud of that one.

The following weekend the UWW at Lambuth game was one of the few to be played at the D3 level. I remember the subdued atmosphere in the busses going down to Jackson, TN.  Driving through the many small towns all you saw were flags flying and patriotic signs lining the highway. The whole trip was surrealistic including our broadcast of the game.

Wow, congrats on that award Voice! That's a day we will all never forget. I was just starting my senior year at UWW, walking to my Biology lecture when it occurred. Before class started our professor mentioned it in passing (b/c we didn't know the details yet). Right after class I had to report to the news room at the Royal Purple (where I was the Sports Editor then) to start working on next week's paper. It wasn't until I got to the newsroom when I discovered all the shocking details.

I remember most of our classes were cancelled that day. It depended on the teacher...Whitewater left it up to their professors whether to have class or not. Some creative teachers incorporated that tragic event into that day's curriculum. For instance, my Psychology class was very interesting that afternoon.

[badgerwarhawk]

My sister's birthday is today.  Prior to the World Trade Center terrorism I couldn't have told you when it was other than it was sometime in September.  Since then it's been impossible to forget.  The date is forever imbedded in my memory. 

I was getting the oil in my car changed and watching tv when the story broke.  I remember initially thinking it was accident and wondering how in world a pilot could fly into the World Trade Center.  The idea of terrorism never crossed my mind until seeing the second plane crash into the other tower.  At that instant I realized this wasn't any sort of accident. 

[couchp54]

I was working in a back room and when I returned to the office, it was deserted.  I grabbed my coffee cup and went down to the break room to see what was up.  Everyone was gathered around the tv and I walked in as a replay of the first plane flying into the towers was shown.   As the new kid on the block, I was staring at the tv when the second plane crashed.  I said "OMG!  Two planes?!".    My boss said "No, that's just a replay." and I replied it was not a replay.  The whole room grew quiet as everyone stared at the tv hoping I was wrong.  Moments like that you never forget.

[palum]

Back on 9/11/01 I was the midday news editor at the statewide Wheeler News Service in Madison. I had never felt more pressure in my media career. We were located on the square in Madison and I must have made a dozen trips (one block) to the state capitol to get state reaction. I ended the day depressed thinking I had let our clients down due to poor news coverage. Four months later I received a state news award for my work that infamous day. Of the many awards that I have received, I'm most proud of that one.

The following weekend the UWW at Lambuth game was one of the few to be played at the D3 level. I remember the subdued atmosphere in the busses going down to Jackson, TN.  Driving through the many small towns all you saw were flags flying and patriotic signs lining the highway. The whole trip was surrealistic including our broadcast of the game. I don't know how the teams found the emotional strength in the 3 OT 56-50 UWW win that hot, humid Tennessee afternoon.                                           

Voice,
I think all of us remember what we were doing on 9/11, I didn't have to go to work until late morning so I turned on the TV and was puzzled why they had a split screen showing the Pentagon and one of the Towers on fire when all of a sudden a 2nd plane crashed into the 2nd Tower.  Congrats on your well deserved award I bet it's on your wall next to the ones you got covering Fort Atkinson School Board meetings

[voice]

Back on 9/11/01 I was the midday news editor at the statewide Wheeler News Service in Madison. I had never felt more pressure in my media career. We were located on the square in Madison and I must have made a dozen trips (one block) to the state capitol to get state reaction. I ended the day depressed thinking I had let our clients down due to poor news coverage. Four months later I received a state news award for my work that infamous day. Of the many awards that I have received, I'm most proud of that one.

The following weekend the UWW at Lambuth game was one of the few to be played at the D3 level. I remember the subdued atmosphere in the busses going down to Jackson, TN.  Driving through the many small towns all you saw were flags flying and patriotic signs lining the highway. The whole trip was surrealistic including our broadcast of the game. I don't know how the teams found the emotional strength in the 3 OT 56-50 UWW win that hot, humid Tennessee afternoon.                                           

Voice,
I think all of us remember what we were doing on 9/11, I didn't have to go to work until late morning so I turned on the TV and was puzzled why they had a split screen showing the Pentagon and one of the Towers on fire when all of a sudden a 2nd plane crashed into the 2nd Tower.  Congrats on your well deserved award I bet it's on your wall next to the ones you got covering Fort Atkinson School Board meetings

palum,

I'll tell you what - I definitely remember covering some of those FOUR HOUR school board meetings in Fort. Good memories!

[cubs]

I was student teaching at an elementary school, and we didn't have a TV in the room.  All of a sudden another teacher popped in and asked if we had heard the news.  Needless to say it was hard trying to stay focused the rest of the day while 1st and 2nd graders carried on like nothing happened.

[emma17]

My sister's birthday is today.  Prior to the World Trade Center terrorism I couldn't have told you when it was other than it was sometime in September.  Since then it's been impossible to forget.  The date is forever imbedded in my memory. 

I was getting the oil in my car changed and watching tv when the story broke.  I remember initially thinking it was accident and wondering how in world a pilot could fly into the World Trade Center.  The idea of terrorism never crossed my mind until seeing the second plane crash into the other tower.  At that instant I realized this wasn't any sort of accident.

Ditto here BW- my sister's 51st b-day.  I don't think I'd remember Happy Birthday otherwise. 
Our entire office was gathered around a 13" tube tv.  Like others, we thought the second plane was a replay of some sort. I'm thankful to say that all of us joined in prayer once the reality set in.

[KitchenSink]

Wow.  I'm sorry I was too busy to walk through the memories yesterday.  I was at work when the Prez's assistant walked by my office and said that a plane had hit the WTC.  The Prez was out that day, so we commandeered the TV in his office to see the news report.  We saw the second tower hit, and the collapses shortly after.  Should've just went home then, nobody could focus on work.

I remember putting the kids to bed that night.  My son, who was 9 at the time, asked me "Why do people want to kill us?"  I don't remember the answer I gave, but I will always remember his sad, innocent face asking that question.

How do you explain terrorists to a 9 year old?

[oshfb]

Surprised by the size of the UWO OL this year...seem small compared to my senior year in 06.

Who is expected to have the most physical offensive line in the conference this year?

LT - 6'5" 300 vs 6'4" 320
LG - 6'2" 235 vs 6'1" 305
C - 6'1" 310 vs 6'1" 325
RG - 6'3" 280 vs 6'1" 270
RT - 6'2" 275 vs 6'2" 305

[oshfb]

Surprised by the size of the UWO OL this year...seem small compared to my senior year in 06.

Who is expected to have the most physical offensive line in the conference this year?

LT - 6'5" 300 vs 6'4" 320
LG - 6'2" 235 vs 6'1" 305
C - 6'1" 310 vs 6'1" 325
RG - 6'3" 280 vs 6'1" 270
RT - 6'2" 275 vs 6'2" 305

Marian University is actually smaller upfront:

6'3" 270, 6'2" 270, 6'3" 300, 6'2" 270 and not sure on 5th.

[02 Warhawk]

Surprised by the size of the UWO OL this year...seem small compared to my senior year in 06.

Who is expected to have the most physical offensive line in the conference this year?
LT - 6'5" 300 vs 6'4" 320
LG - 6'2" 235 vs 6'1" 305
C - 6'1" 310 vs 6'1" 325
RG - 6'3" 280 vs 6'1" 270
RT - 6'2" 275 vs 6'2" 305

As far as the best line in the WIAC, I would have to give it to UWP. They are returning four starters from a line that only gave up five sacks a year ago.

Fiene 6-6 270
*Berry 6-4 250
Johnson  6-5 275
Eddy 5-11 290
Lurquin 6-0 275

In the rotation:
Fosberg 6-5 285

*The lone senior in this group.

[02 Warhawk]

Outside of UWP....is there an offense that really scares anyone in the WIAC??? Oshkosh maybe with Myra? That's about it......

With that being said, UWP's defense won't see anything "high powered" until the playoffs....then the true test begins. If their defense rises to the challange, they will be one of the top teams in the West/North.

[hazzben]

As far as the best line in the WIAC, I would have to give it to UWP. They are returning four starters from a line that only gave up five sacks a year ago.

Fiene 6-6 270
*Berry 6-4 250
Johnson  6-5 275
Eddy 5-11 290
Lurquin 6-0 275

In the rotation:
Fosberg 6-5 285

*The lone senior in this group.

Just goes to show you size isn't everything. I've seen some All America caliber D3 Olineman who were well south of 300. And to be honest, typically when I see a guy that's listed as a behemoth playing d3 I wonder the reason why. Are his feet terrible? Is he an ugly 325? Soft? Some guys just slip through the cracks and are legit and huge. But a lot of times there's a good reason they didn't get offers to a D1 program. While the 'smaller' guy is a much more complete and talented lineman.

Classic example. A HS in MN a few years back had two stellar offensive lineman. One was 6'7" and 300 lbs., a 5 star recruit that got offers from everyone and ended up at a marquee B1G school. The other kid was 6'3" 270 and got overlooked by everyone. But the local coaches said from day one the smaller kid was clearly better. But they couldn't get DI teams to give the kid a look. He ended up attending an FCS school. 5 years later, the 'smaller' kid was an FCS AA and got a shot at the NFL.

[voice]

All former UW-Whitewater football players are invited back to campus the weekend of September 27 and 28 to participate in the inaugural UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration. This year the 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 conference champions are being honored.
I've written a series of stories on the teams and the event. To access the stories click on the link below:

http://www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/

[02 Warhawk]

All former UW-Whitewater football players are invited back to campus the weekend of September 27 and 28 to participate in the inaugural UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration. This year the 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 conference champions are being honored.
I've written a series of stories on the teams and the event. To access the stories click on the link below:

http://www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/

Voice, I sent you a tweet about the mural in this article. So I'll post it here too. I wonder if Coppage will ever get added to it. I believe he's the only two-time Player of the Year among them.