Biking to Bucky, Part 23

Bucky is at home roaming the Camp
Randall sideline. 6/9/18 dwm photo

You reached the end of the parade!

These Buckys represent four different rides.  June 9 I started with Bucky Alvarez in front of the stadium.  I encountered the Golden Bucky twice - June 11 and the 29th.  Finally, last Saturday I rode to the last Bucky statue to go on display... Crazylegs Bucky.

Here are the last 3 Buckys:  #35, 85, and 36.

Bucky Alvarez - # 35 - Artist: Dan Gardiner

There is a reason Barry Alvarez made Wisconsin his home after taking the head coaching position with the Badgers in 1990.

Actually, there are probably a lot of reasons, but one could be how much he and the mascot look alike.

Barry(L) and Bucky
immortalized. 6/9/18
(dwm photo)

Barry Alvarez took over a program that seemed to be at its lowest point.

He went 1 - 10 his first year, but in year four Wisconsin won the Rose Bowl.

He finished with a coaching record of 119 - 74 - 4.

More impressive is that when he graduated to Athletic Director, the new Badger football tradition kept rolling with regular appearances in bowl games.  The rest of the athletic program picked up steam too as Badger athletic success became consistent.

Just as important, Wisconsin seems to be doing things the right way with a good balance of academics and athletics.

Bucky Alvarez watches
the gates. 6/9/18 (dwm)

It's in the highlight reels thanks to J.J. Watt, Frank Kaminsky, and Russell Wilson, but also Jake Wood.

Jake played for the Badger football team, but went on to co-found Team Rubicon.  It's a non-profit that uses the skills of veterans to respond to disasters when they happen.  Wood received the Pat Tilman Award for Service at this year's ESPY awards.

Bucky Alvarez has the look of determination behind the sunglasses - a look toward the goal on the near horizon and the one in the distance.

Wisconsin has always been a top school.  Thanks to former Athletic Director Pat Richter who hired Alvarez, it is considered a tops on and off the field.

The Golden Bucky took up residence at The Edgewater
the week of June 25, 2018.  6/29/18 dwm photo

Golden Bucky - #85

While the other 84 Buckys stayed in place unless a "hospitalization" was required, the Golden Bucky was regularly on the move around Madison and Dane County.

I got him twice.

The first time was when I heard he was standing at the Henry Vilas Zoo until June 12.

The next day was the 11th.  The Zoo isn't too far from my office.

Hanging out with
friends at the zoo.
6/11/18 (dwm)

I decided to ride to work then detour through the Zoo on the way home to collect him before he moved.

He was in the Children's Zoo inside the Carousel pavilion.

Golden Bucky looks up Wisconsin
Avenue to the Capitol. 6/29/18 (dwm)

It was a cloudy day.  I was glad to have a flash on my camera, otherwise Bucky wouldn't be as Golden.

The next encounter happened at the end of June as I rode around the Isthmus to complete all but the last Bucky.

When I saw the tweet he was at The Edgewater, I figured it would be nice to get some shots to illustrate his weekly moves.

The hotel is on the shore of Lake Mendota.  June 29 was a sunny day.  It was a good day for pictures and he was within two blocks of two dozen Badgers that had yet to meet my acquaintance.

Unlike Friday Night Fish Fry Bucky, the Golden Badger was standing right out front with a lake glimmering behind him.

Check and double-check for the Golden Bucky, he might be closer to you than you think.

Crazylegs Bucky fends off defenders
in front of the University Police
Department.  8/18/2018 dwm photo

Crazylegs Bucky - #36 - Artist: Richard Yanke

Most of my trips to Bucky are early in the morning.  For Crazylegs, I went early Saturday afternoon.  It was busy as all kinds of Bucky fans were excited to connect with the latest statue.

Just the second statue with its own molded shape (Leckrone's At The Top is the other) this Bucky looks to his right to fend off an oncoming defensive player.

The player (left) and
Athletic Director (right)
8/18/18 (dwm)

The actual Crazylegs was Elroy Hirsch, a legendary Wisconsin high school player in the late 1930s who went on to run the ball for the Badgers in 1941 and 42.

He joined the Marines in 1943 and was transferred to a Naval College program at the University of Michigan.

Crazylegs ran 2 years for the Wolverines.

My 85th and final Bucky on Parade.
8/18/2018  (dwm)

He played in the NFL and made movies while a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

Then he became general manager for the Rams before returning to Wisconsin as the Athletic Director from 1969 to 1987.

The annual Crazylegs Classic, started in 1982 as a fundraiser for UW Athletics, is named in his honor.  Hirsch died in 2004.

I love the look on Bucky's face - determined and unwilling to surrender.   It is a perfect individual touch for Crazylegs.  A Badger for all seasons.

You can revisit all 85 Buckys here.  On Sunday, I'll share my Bucky lists - with the statues I enjoyed the most.