Why Not Wisconsin?: From Barry to Bo by Matt Lepay

Author:Matt Lepay [Lepay, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: From Barry to Bo: Broadcasting the Badgers from the Best Seat in the House
Publisher: Triumph Books
Published: 2012-07-12T05:00:00+00:00

12. Confessions of a Former Buckeye

Having lived in Wisconsin for nearly a quarter century, the friendly nature of people in this state never ceases to amaze me. Even when these folks find out where I am from, or worse, when they find out where I went to school.

Yes, I am a graduate of Ohio State, or as some alums like to say, The Ohio State University. So is my wife. She graduated Cum Laude. For the record, I did not.

Want to know a sure-fire way to get booed at a speaking gig? Have the person who is introducing you tell the crowd you attended Ohio State. At least it is good-natured booing. At least I think it is good-natured booing. A few years ago at a golf outing in Madison, I was in a foursome with Casey Rabach, the starting center on the back-to-back Rose Bowl teams, who has gone on to a very good NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Redskins. Also in our group were two loyal donors to UW Athletics. One of them knew I was from Ohio, and he casually asked if I had attended Ohio State.

“Yes, but I try to keep that kind of quiet around here,” I said.

Apparently it was not quiet enough for Rabach, who was standing a few feet behind us. All of a sudden, I heard him clearing his throat. Very loudly.

“You went to Ohio State?” he asked with a disgusted look. He went on to give me his opinion of The Ohio State University, which I am guessing is shared by many on campuses not named The Ohio State University. I should note we finished the round without incident.

One of the more difficult things for some fans to understand is how someone from another school can detach himself from his alma mater. I remind people that Wisconsin’s current head football coach played at Iowa, and the Hall of Fame coach and current athletics director played at Nebraska. I doubt when Bret Bielema and Barry Alvarez were in college that they were dreaming of coaching at Wisconsin. Sometimes life just works in mysterious ways.

I can’t give you the exact statistics, but it is fair to assume that a majority of major college “voices” attended other institutions. Some are able to stay close to home. In the Big Ten, Northwestern’s Dave Eanet and Penn State’s Steve Jones are examples of team voices who call games for their alma mater. Otherwise, it probably is a fairly short list, at least with BCS conference schools.

In this line of work, you seek the best opportunity, and for me, that opportunity has been in Madison as the Wisconsin Badgers play-by-play announcer. Having lived here for almost half of my life, I certainly consider myself a Wisconsinite.

Now for the confession, Badger fans. Being from Ohio, there was a time when I really did not like you people. When I was in school, the Buckeyes had a world of trouble with the Dave McClain–coached Badgers. A couple of games stand out.

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