Whereas the Wisconsin Badgers completed a dominant regular season, winning the Big Ten Title, finishing 11 and 1, and earning a bid to the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2011;
Whereas the annual Rose Bowl is the oldest of all college bowl games, and its history and prestige have earned it the title The Granddaddy of Them All
;
Whereas the Rose Bowl was first played in 1902 and since 1945 has been the highest attended college football bowl game;
Whereas University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has exhibited strong leadership for the University of Wisconsin and an unyielding commitment to academic excellence for its student athletes;
Whereas Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, a three-time Rose Bowl winning coach, helped lead the Badgers back to Pasadena, California;
Whereas Head Coach Bret Bielema showed tremendous leadership, guiding the Badgers to an outstanding 11 and 1 season;
Whereas the Badgers have achieved an outstanding overall 49 and 15 record under Coach Bielema’s tenure;
Whereas Offensive Coordinator Paul Chryst, a finalist for the Broyles Award as the Nation’s top assistant coach, leads a prolific Badger offense, which ranks in the top 20 nationally in scoring, rushing, and total offense;
Whereas the Badgers defeated the number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, 31 to 18, on a warm fall night in Madison, Wisconsin;
Whereas this contest featured an electrifying opening kickoff return for a touchdown by David Gilreath, a play that will go down in Camp Randall Stadium history;
Whereas one week after defeating Ohio State, the Badgers dug deep to win at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, despite missing several key players due to injury;
Whereas senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, the most accurate passer in college football, won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for his on-field performance, as well as his character;
Whereas for a second consecutive season, the Badger football team features 22 players that were selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team, surpassing the previous record of 19 set in 2007, Coach Bielema’s second season;
Whereas senior offensive lineman Gabe Carimi won the Outland Trophy, an honor given to the best interior lineman in college football, in addition to being selected to the Academic All-Big Ten Team as a civil engineering major;
Whereas senior defensive end J.J. Watt is an Academic All-Big Ten Team selection, and winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded nationally to a defensive player for his athletic, academic, and community achievements;
Whereas the Wisconsin Badgers had six offensive linemen selected to the All-Big Ten Team, when only five players start at the position;
Whereas the Wisconsin Badgers are the least penalized team in the United States, displaying remarkable discipline and leadership on the field;
Whereas Texas Christian University has also earned a Rose Bowl bid after a successful season;
Whereas the University of Wisconsin looks forward to badgering the Horned Frogs on New Year’s Day; and
Whereas Wisconsin Badger fans sold out Camp Randall for the entire season and are known for their loyal and fervent support: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)commends the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season and 2011 Rose Bowl bid;
(2)applauds Coach Bret Bielema for his leadership not only on the football field, but also in the community; and
(3)recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, students, alumni, and staff who were instrumental in helping the Wisconsin Badgers make it to Pasadena, California.
Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.