UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend

A huge thank you to all the former UW-Whitewater Football players who returned to campus over the weekend to participate in the inaugural UW-Whitewater Alumni Football Weekend.  Your participation brought into crystal clear focus the motto: Once a Warhawk, Always a Warhawk

Halftime Warhawk Football Alumni Salute



1978 WIAC Conference Champions

1988 WIAC Conference Champions

1998 WIAC Conference Champions

2008 WIAC Conference Champions

 

   32 WIAC/WSUC Championships

                                         10 Postseason Playoff Berths                                         2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 NCAA Division III National Champions

1966 NAIA National Runner-up

2005, 2006, 2008 NCAA III National Runner-up

Forest Perkins - Ranks second in WIAC/WSUC Wins

Bob Berezowitz - Ranks third in WSUC/WIAC Wins

Lance Leipold - Four National Championsip Wins

 

UW-Whitewater Football is Powered By Tradition

 

 

Once a Warhawk, Always a Warhawk is the theme of this weekend's UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend

I just want to give a shout-out to the many former UW-Whitewater football players that will be back on campus this weekend for the 2013 UW-Whitewater Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend.

 I got a list yesterday of some of the former players that plan on attending the Friday afternoon golf outing at the WWCC.  Thanks for being the energy behind the motto POWERED BY TRADITION and showing once again the truth of the saying

ONCE A WARHAWK, ALWAYS A WARHAWK.

 Don’t be surprised if you see me hanging around taking photos all weekend long. GO HAWKS!

 You still have time to RSVP at indicate you plan on coming.  Please RSVP to Jerry Golembiewski at 414-531-7048 (phone) or jlgcoach@sbcglobal.net (email) or to Bob Berezowitz at 262-325-9941 (phone) or berezowr@uww.edu (email)

Voice's thoughts on Warhawk Football while looking out his window

The following are some of my thoughts heading into Saturday’s Warhawk game at Buffalo State.

- Last year’s shocking 7-6 loss to Buffalo State resulted in a number of UWW football fans to at least temporarily jump off the Warhawk bandwagon.

- I remember back in 2008, following Whitewater’s loss to UW-Stevens Point in the closing seconds, some fans were sure the Warhawks yearly championship run was over. If I remember correctly, the Hawks made it back to the Stagg Bowl that year and came within five points of beating heavily favored Mount Union.

- I probably watch more UWW practices than anyone outside the program. I see Whitewater’s young offense going up against an experienced, highly ranked defense each day on the practice field. I see that offense having more success – I believe that success will carry over to game days.

- One thing that has always intrigued me about college football is for virtually unknown players to step-up big time when the opportunity arises. Case in point was Dennis Moore getting his first extended action since arriving on campus prior to last season. Moore got into the game early in the 4th quarter vs. Wash U. He sparked the Warhawks to a 17-10 come from behind win.

- I won’t be in Buffalo, NY for the game this weekend – Doctor’s orders. He believes that it’s best not to over-tax my body as I continue to recover from last summer’s cancer surgery. I agree!

- I don’t think the average fan realize the positives of playing one of your non-conference games via a long, overnight road trip.

- I remember trips to such places as Baldwin Wallace (OH), Lambuth (TN), Dickinson (ND), Trine (IN), Puget Sound (WA), Warrensburg (MO), Mount Union (OH). In each case, coaches talk about how the long trips help young teams mesh into a better team.

- It will be interesting to see what strides this year’s Warhawk team has made over the past couple of weeks.

- Buffalo State has the total respect of the Warhawks following last year’s win at the Perk. They could be the fastest team we play in terms of pure team speed and at the same time, probably the biggest defensive line that we may play against all year,” Leipold said at his weekly media conference. ”A key for the Warhawks Saturday will be to keep Buff State quarterback Casey Kacz somewhat in check.“His ability to throw the ball, his ability to run [the] option, his ability to keep plays alive and make something happen is as good as any we have seen in postseason play in my time here. We understand what he is about and respect the heck out of him.”

- Hawks not viewing Saturday’s game with revenge as the primary focus. That said, I have a feeling that most players are carrying a rather large chip on the shoulder.

- I’ll have stories all weekend long here on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire.

GO WARHAWKS

UW-Whitewater at Buffalo State Fan Links

Here is a list of links to stories and game-day information for Saturday's UW-Whitewater at Buffalo State Game in Buffalo, NY........

Warhawks focused on future, not past (Daily Jefferson County Union  CLICK HERE

Warhawks set for rematch with Buffalo State (Wisconsin State Journal 9/17/13)  CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                                                              

UW-Whitewater's 46-game winning streak snapped in stunning home loss to Buffalo State (Wisconsin State Journal 9/15/12)   CLICK HERE

 

Kacz takes experience into test against UW-Whitewater CLICK HERE

UW-Whitewater at Buffalo State Game Notes (UWW)  CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                 UWW at Buffalo State Game Notes (Buff State)  CLICK HERE

 

KOOL 106.5 Game Broadcast Audio Stream   CLICK HERE                  

UWW at Buff State LIVE STATS   CLICK HERE

                                                                                                              VIDEO OF BUFF STATE HOOK & LATERAL / GAME WINNING TD PASS (Coach Film – Silent)   CLICK HERE 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 2012 Buff State at UWW In Game Twitter Posts  CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make plans now to attend the Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration Sept. 27-28

The motto of UW-Whitewater football is Powered by Tradition. All former UWW 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.
Returning players will be asked to gather on the field for a special halftime celebration.

What is the tradition of Warhawk Football? How about 32 WSUC/WAC conference championships, 77 All-Americans and 384 (some multi-year) All-Conference players that played for the purple and white (in recent years also back). Each year will mark anniversaries of designated conference championship teams.

Each year will mark anniversaries of designated conference championship teams. On behalf of the UWW football program and Athletic Department we invite all football alumni back to campus for the first official Football Alumni Weekend.

This year's event will celebrate the WSUC/WIAC Championship teams from 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008. A fun weekend of events is planned.

The weekend's events include:

Friday, September 27
12:00 pm: Golf at Whitewater Country Club/p>
5:30 pm: Dinner/Banquet at Randy's including a Championship Celebration

Saturday, September 28
10:00 am: Football Alumni Brunch at James Connor University Center followed by pregame social/tailgate at Coulthart Pavillion adjacent to Perkins Stadium

1:00 pm: Warhawks vs. Waldorf game at Perkins Stadium

This weekend will provide an excellent opportunity for you to connect with former teammates and coaches and celebrate UW-Whitewater Football's successful history.

What is the old saying? Once a Warhawk, Always a Warhawk!

You are truly the POWER behind our TRADITION and we hope you will able to be back on campus to be part of the celebration September 27 and 28.

RSVP's would be greatly appreciated!

For more information or to RSVP please contact:

Bob Berezowitz (Event Chairman) 262-325-9941 (phone) or Troy Van Zlle (Assistant Athletic Director/Development) 262-472-1505 (phone) vanzilet@uww.edu (email)

To access the Football Alumni Weekend Brochure that includes registration information CLICK HERE

'78 Warhawks featured tough nosed defense that met at the quarterback

(Editor's note: the following story is the first in a series of stories highlighting the 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 UW-Whitewater championship football teams. They'll be honored as part of the Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend Celebration September 27 and 28 on campus)

At first glance the 7 and 4 UW-Whitewater football team n 1978 appeared to be a good, tough nosed team that had to play a murderous non-conference schedule. Forrest Perkins, as he had done in previous years, scheduled three NCAA II teams to get ready for the WSUC schedule. The '78 Hawks lost all three games - to Northern Iowa, Mankato State and Northern Michigan. Perkins, the iconic coach who still ranks second in WSUC.WIAC career wins subscribed to the theory that playing tough Division II teams, win or lose, properly prepared you for the conference season.

The ’78 Warhawks only conference blemish was a 14-12 loss to Stevens Point.

Whitewater and La Crosse finished as conference co-champs in ’78. The Warhawks beat the then Indians 20-9 at Warhawk Stadium on the opening weekend of the conference season.

While quarterback Mike LaLoggia’s 153 completions and 20 touchdowns still rank in the Top 10 in school history, it was the Warhawk defense that keyed its championship drive.

John Fonaas earned All-American recognition in the Warhawk secondary for his nine interceptions and reputation as one of the fiercest tacklers in the nation.

Much like the Minnesota Vikings Purple People Eater “front four” of that era the Warhawks had three defensive linemen with double-digit quarterback sacks in ’78.

Jim Vogel led the way with 11, Tony Azarian and Tom Stuebe each got to the quarterback 10 times.

Azaran’s 115 tackles and Fonaas’ 114 in 1978 still rank 6th and 7th in the Whitewater record book.

Earning 1978 All-WIAC recognition were: (First Team) Jon Grosshuesch (TE), Jerry Young (WR), Jim Vogel (DL), Jon Fonaas (DB), Jeff Anding (P/K) (Second Team) Tony Azarian (DL), Bob Kiepert (LB) (Honorable Mention); Scott Gerth (T), Mike LaLoggia (QB), Tom Stuebe (DE)

This invitation to Warhawk Nation… All former UW-Whitewater football players and coaches are invited back to campus for the inaugural UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration the weekend of September 27-28. For more information and to make reservations CLICK HERE

1988 Warhawks become first team to advance to postseason play since 1966

(Editor's note: the following story is the second in a series of stories highlighting the 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 UW-Whitewater championship football teams. They'll be honored as part of the Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend Celebration September 27 and 28 on campus)

The 1988 UW-Whitewater football team was absolutely loaded with talent. The ’88 Hawks featured four players that earned All-American recognition. Dave Haluska (defensive back), Jim Jaworski (defensive end), John Spiegelhoff (center) and Travis Talton (running back) were key cogs in leading Whitewater to a WSUC title and first berth in school history in the NCAA Division 3 Playoffs.

Haluska, Jaworski and ’88 starting quarterback Jeff Olsen were later inducted into the UW-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame.

Talton who starred in both track and football at Beloit Turner High School, played “in the shadow” of George Rainey (currently sixth in career rushing) as a freshman at Whitewater. 1988 was Talton’s breakout season as he provided the “flash” for the UWW offense in 1988. His 1,599 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns both rank seventh all-time in the UW-Whitewater record book. Talton would finish his career in 1991 as the leading rusher in Warhawk history with 3,783 yards.                     

Whitewater’s lone conference loss in ’88 was a 24-10 defeat at the hands of UW-River Falls. The Warhawks and Falcons had shared the WIAC championship the previous season.

The Warhawks opened the NCAA playoffs by traveling to West Des Moines, Iowa and came away with a 29-27 win over Simpson College. Whitewater returned home to host Central College Iowa in round two at Perkins Stadium. The Hawks dropped a heartbreaker to Central that afternoon 16-13.

This invitation to WarhawkNation… All former UW-Whitewater football players and coaches are invited back to campus for the inaugural UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration the weekend of September 27-28. For more information and to make reservations CLICK HERE

 

1998 Warhawks engage in wild, four team shootout for '98 WIAC Championship

(Editor's note: the following story is the third in a series of stories highlighting the 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 UW-Whitewater championship football teams. They'll be honored as part of the Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend Celebration September 27 and 28 on campus)

The 1998 UW-Whitewater football was front and center in one of the wildest title hunts in WIAC/WSUC history. The first week of conference play set the tone for the remainder of the ’98 campaign. Whitewater traveled to Eau Claire to take on the Blugolds on a temporary playing field on campus. The game matched the two top quarterbacks in the conference – Tyler Grovesteen for Whitewater and Sean Hoolihan for the Blugolds. When the dust cleared Eau Claire came away with a 31-28 overtime victory.

Grovesteen, out of nearby Evansville, was one of the most accurate passers in Warhawk football history. In his three years at Whitewater he threw just 16 interceptions while holding the NCAA record of completing 21 consecutive passes. Grovesteen passed for 2,074 yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns in what was a nine game schedule in ’98. His 48 career touchdown passes still rank second in Warhawk football history.

One of Grovesteen’s primary targets in ’98 was Tony Magestro. The accomplished boxer oozed confidence and was a threat to “take it deep” anytime he touched the ball. Following one touchdown Willie Warhawk ran into the end zone to congratulate Magestro. Tony proceeded to do a fun-loving “sparring session” with the popular Whitewater mascot. It showed both Magestro’s and Willie’s enthusiasm for the game.

Jeff McKenzie, playing in his hometown of Whitewater, put together an All-Conference season in ’98. One of the questions entering the season was who would replace John Damato and Eddie McKennie who concluded there careers in 1997 ranked fourth and fifth in career rushing in UWW history. McKenzie didn’t blink an eye on the way to continuing the string of Whitewater running backs cracking the one thousand yard single season rushing mark.

Back to the hunt for the ’98 WIAC title. Entering the second to last Saturday of the conference season Whitewater had just one conference loss while River Falls, Stevens Point and Eau Claire were tied for second with two conference losses. A win at River Falls would give the Warhawks back-to-back, undisputed, WIAC titles.

The Warhawks couldn’t stop River Falls that afternoon up at Ramer Field dropping a 52-28 decision resulting in four teams on top in the conference, all with two losses. All four won the following week, resulting in Eau Claire, River Falls, Stevens Point and Whitewater winning a “quad title.” The last time four teams had shared a conference championship was in 1980 when Whitewater, La Crosse, Platteville and River Falls claimed the title.

The back to back WIAC titles in ’97 and ’98 was the first for UW-Whitewater since 1974-75.
I’ll have another story on the ’98 conference champion Warhawks coming up later this week here on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire.

This invitation to WarhawkNation… All former UW-Whitewater football players and coaches are invited back to campus for the inaugural UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration the weekend of September 27-28. For more information and to make reservations CLICK HERE

2008 Warhawks hold school record for frequent flier miles

(Editor's note: the following story is the fourth in a series of stories highlighting the 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 UW-Whitewater championship football teams. They'll be honored as part of the Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend Celebration September 27 and 28 on campus)

2008 was certainly a unique season for UW-Whitewater football. The Hawks were coming off the school’s first NCAA Division 3 title with a 38-28 victory over Mount Union in the 2007 Stagg Bowl. The Warhawks lost 23 seniors off its 2007 NCAA III championship team. Many fans thought 2008 would be a rebuilding year. The Warhawks went through the minefield of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a target on its back. UWW struck one of those mines in its Homecoming/Hall of Fame game vs. UW-Stevens Point at Perkins Stadium.

The Pointers knocked UW-Whitewater from the ranks of the unbeaten, defeating the second ranked Warhawks 17-16 on a two-point conversion with fifteen seconds left. The Pointers' win also ended Whitewater's Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record-tying win streak at twenty-five games and UW-W's WIAC record home field win streak at twenty-seven games.

Whitewater quickly regrouped earning a share of the WIAC title for the fourth consecutive year.

(In the adjacent photo, the 2008 Warhawk seniors pose for what is becoming an annual photo with the 2008 seniors letting everyone know that the Hawks are again conference champions. The players are showing four fingers for a fourth consecutive WIAC Title - photo courtesy of Jeff Siesser, Daily Jefferson County Union)

On the heels of its regular season loss to Stevens Point, the Warhawks road back to the Stagg Bowl would be a long one literally. A 37-7, round-one win over St. Johns was followed by a flight to Salem, Oregon to take on Willamette. Following a pulsating30-27 shootout win it was back home to snowy Perkins Stadium for a quarterfinal match-up against Wartburg. The Hawks advanced with a 34-17 win. Back on a plane for a semifinal match-up at Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas). Despite 50 mph sustained winds Whitewater rolled to a 39-13 victory to stamp the Warhawks fourth consecutive trip to Salem, Virginia and the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

With the three road trips in the five weeks of 2008 playoff football Whitewater logged 8,028 frequent flyer miles. Oh, by the way, the Warhawks also traveled to the West coast in late September coming home with a 60-7 victory over Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.

This invitation to WarhawkNation… All former UW-Whitewater football players and coaches are invited back to campus for the inaugural UW-Whitewater Football Alumni Weekend Celebration the weekend of September 27-28. For more information and to make reservations CLICK HERE

Join Lance Leipold LIVE Monday nights on Warhawk Weekly at Sal's in Fort Atkinson

UW-Whitewater football coach Lance Leipold joins Gary Douglas and Arnie Peck on Monday night’s premier of WFAW’s Warhawk Weekly broadcast live from Sal’s Sports Bar in Fort Atkinson. Airtime for the one hour show is at 6 p.m. Get a group of friends and plan on joining Coach Leipold and the UW-Whitewater radio broadcast crew for Monday night’s show. Maybe a pizza and your favorite beverage and some great Warhawk football talk sounds like a plan. Sal’s Spots Bar and Salamonies Pizza is located at 1245 Madison Avenue (Hwy 12) on the Northwest side of Fort Atkinson..

Warhawk Weekly is also heard live via audio stream. To access the audio stream on Monday evening CLICK HERE

Gameday Central (Wash U at UWW)

 

           The following links will assist fans in accessing game-day info....

 

  UWW Pregame Notes   CLICK HERE

 

 WASH U Pregame Notes   CLICK HERE

 

 Daily Jefferson County Union Pregame Story   CLICK HERE 

 

  Game-day Live Stats   CLICK HERE

 

  UWW TV Game Broadcast Link   CLICK HERE

 

 KOOL 106.5 Audio Stream Link   CLICK HERE

 

 D3football.com National Scoreboard   CLICK HERE

 

  Enjoy the game everybody and GO HAWKS!!

Parking on the hill at Perkins Stadium is now prohibited

Parking on the hill at Perkins Stadium is now prohibited. The new security measure will be implemented beginning Saturday: Vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter through the stadium gates. Passenger shuttles will run continually from lots 24 and 11, up the hill to the bleachers and press box, and back again.

Handicap stalls will be located in lot 24 (the lot immediately adjacent to Perkins Stadium) Passenger drop-offs and pick-ups will still be allowed at the stadium entrance.

Game-day personnel will be transporting fans needing assistance up the hill to stadium seating and the press box via multiple seat golf carts.

"When you're drawing the largest crowds in NCAA Division III football, it's important to have security plans in place and to be as prepared as possible," said Amy Edmonds, interim athletic director. "We appreciate everyone's cooperation as we roll out these preventive measures. Perkins Stadium is the best venue to watch Division III football, and we want it to be the safest, too."

Thank you for your cooperation in making Perkins Stadium a safe venue for all fans!

New security measures set for Perkins Stadium

                    

  
Fans attending UW-Whitewater football games at Perkins Stadium should allow additional time to enter the stadium to comply with new security measures.

All fans will be asked to open their jackets, blankets and purses as they enter the gates to check for any prohibited items. There will be no area to check prohibited items, so fans that are turned away at the gate must return the item to their vehicle or dispose of the item before entering the stadium.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: weapons, alcohol, containers/coolers/food or beverages, strollers, flags/banners, umbrellas, computers, noisemakers, bags larger than 8.5x11 inches, laser pointers and inflatables.

Thank you for your cooperation in making Perkins Stadium a safe venue for all fans!

First UWW Football Quarterback Club meeting set for Sept. 4 at Saxes Lone Star Inn

One of the great traditions of the UW-Whitewater football program has been its great fan support. The UW-Whitewater Football Quarterback Club is a huge part of that tradition. The QB Club will kick off the season Wednesday evening (Sept. 4) at Saxes Lone Star Inn located just a couple of miles west of Whitewater on Hwy 12.

Each UWW QB Club evening begins at Saxes Lone Star Inn with a social hour at 6 pm with dinner served at 7 pm.

”We are all 100% committed to making the 2013 Warhawk football season a success,” Warhawk head coach Lance Leipold says. “We can’t do it alone, and I’m inviting you to join us! I would like to encourage your membership and participation in the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Quarterback Club. The QB Club is your opportunity to become involved in providing our players a family atmosphere, help them develop personally, and ultimately continue our championship level of play.” The UWW Quarterback Club can trace its roots back to 1957. From that original group of loyal Warhawk football fans, the club has grown, and continues to assist the football staff in continuing the successful program established over many years of championship football.

”As the head coach, my vision is to build a program in which we see as much success looking into the future as we do when we look at the present or look into the past,” Coach Leipold tells Warhawkfootball.com. “I believe the Quarterback Club is the Power behind the Tradition!.

You can make a difference in helping us sustain the level of excellence Warhawk football has achieved and that we all enjoy. Please join the UW-W Quarterback Club TODAY! We have several levels of involvement to choose from.  To access a UWW Quarterback Club membership application form CLICK HERE
 

Tom Voice Pattison's Warhawk Football This Week Podcast premiers Thursday

Veteran UW-Whitewater Football broadcaster, Tom "Voice" Pattison will debut this season's Warhawk Football This Week Podcasts on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Each week Pattison will produce a podcast that will feature a look back at the previous weekend's Warhawk game,  Gary Douglas'  KOOL 106.5 play-by-play highlights, audio cuts of Coach Lance Leipold and UWW players and coaches, and a look at the upcoming weekend's UW-Whitewater game and a number of special surprises.

What length do you want for the Podcast?  30 minutes; 20 minutes; 15 minutes; 10 minutes?

Please vote on your choice of podcast length.  The poll will be open all week on the right side of the www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogsot.com homepage.

A reminder, your comments on all Voice's Blog stories are welcome. To voice your comments simply click on the word comment (or no comments) at the bottom of each story.

To access Warhawk Football This Week Podcasts beginning each Thursday CLICK HERE