The previous Friday evening was a night of jubilation and success for the sports teams of the Badgers. The women’s hockey team secured their place in the finals following a remarkable victory in the Frozen Four, while the men’s basketball team made a significant impact in the March Madness tournament.
Supporters of both teams, known as Badgers fans, made certain to attend in order to demonstrate their allegiance to their beloved teams. For some, this is not merely a one-time occurrence; rather, it is a tradition that has been maintained for over two decades.
Donna Kniebuehler, a dedicated Badgers fan, conveyed her excitement, expressing, “I like to have our family of fans together.” Alongside her companion Curt Diehl, she has fervently supported the Wisconsin women’s hockey team since 1999. Throughout the years, they have effectively rallied an increasing number of supporters to join them, resulting in the formation of a close-knit group that has expanded to over 40 members.
Diehl mentioned, “One of the parents organizes where we’re going to be meeting before each game. That list has gone up from like 20 names up to 40 names.” The group is renowned for their welcoming and inclusive nature, consistently embracing new members. Diehl further added, “We get people coming over who are out of town but maybe they’re visiting their son or daughter here, and we’re like ‘ok yeah, come along with us.’”
The fans congregated at Paul’s Neighborhood bar in Middleton on Friday, and the manager, Dannon Haas, conveyed his pleasure at seeing familiar faces, remarking, “We love having our regulars that come down. It’s always nice to expect them to be here, and it’s always just a great atmosphere with everyone cheering and really enjoying themselves.”
While the group typically convenes to laud the women’s hockey team, they also extended their support to the men’s basketball team on Friday night. Following the triumphant performance of the Badgers women’s hockey team, Donna and Curt indicated that their group will return to support them during the Frozen Four National Championship on Sunday.
The camaraderie and unwavering support demonstrated by the Badgers fans truly exemplify the strong sense of community and sportsmanship that unites them. Regardless of the outcome, their commitment and enthusiasm for their teams shine through, rendering them an indispensable component of the Badgers sports community.