Rugbies Off, Jerseys On: Highlighting Our Club Sport Athletes

Throughout my life, I've explored many passions, but there was one in particular that stuck. The love I have for the sport of lacrosse (lax) is unconditional. Since I began playing 10 years ago, it’s been my outlet and something I always look forward to as a way to release my anxiety. In middle and high school, I was excited about all things lacrosse, all the time—even if it meant waking up at 7 a.m. only to lose a tournament in the pouring rain. This sport has given me some of my best friends in the world, and has taught me the values of collaboration, confidence, and resilience. As my first semester of college approached in August of 2023, I knew I wasn’t ready to give up playing the sport I had leaned on. 

Enter the University of Wisconsin Women’s Club Lacrosse Team! The moment I tried out for the team here at UW-Madison, I was hooked. I have been a dedicated member of the Bucky travel team since my first semester on campus, and I am now a junior serving as co-vice president on our executive board. Practicing three times a week, combined with traveling on weekends, can become stressful, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Representing a distinguished university, whilst playing alongside a group of highly talented, intelligent, and determined individuals has been nothing short of incredible. The uplifting community we’ve created by supporting and having fun with each other on and off the field makes any stress of being a club sport athlete worth it. 

An unexpected highlight during my time on WASB so far has been connecting with fellow members over our involvement in club sports. Sophomore Andy Walker is a setter on the Men’s Club Volleyball Team, and sophomore Zoe Cole plays goalie on the Women’s Club Hockey Team. I spoke with them about being involved in a sport on campus and how it plays into their college lives. As I briefly mentioned, the stress of our schedule mixed with other obligations can accumulate, to which Andy provides a notable perspective: “When I remind myself that I am going to practice because I love playing my sport, all the stress tends to go away. Playing volleyball makes me happy, and I shouldn’t be worried about the time when I choose to do something that I’ll enjoy.” Zoe adds, “Coming into my freshman year, club hockey gave me a routine.” To me, that’s what it’s all about. Being able to have a structured escape from schoolwork for a couple of hours is something I’ve come to appreciate.

Although vastly different in the work we do, I have noticed that WASB and club sports are more similar than you might think—they both require accountability, for example. Uniquely, all three of our teams are student-led. Though she is not an executive member, Zoe translates her leadership skills from sports to her role on WASB, explaining that “on my team, every player has to take on more responsibility and contribute to the team in whatever way they can. Similarly, on WASB, just picking up the little things when working on our events can make everyone else’s life a little easier!”

So many of the experiences we have on campus complement each other. WASB is a team sport in its own way. We collaborate, lift each other up, and have fun while doing it! Andy believes that WASB has given him more values that he uses as tools in club sports: “WASB has shown me that being a positive person is good for everyone around me and myself.” It's amazing how the communities we find ourselves in can have such a positive impact on our lives.

If you want to see these WASBies swap their rugbies for jerseys, you’re in luck! Come support my team at University Bay Fields on November 15th, Andy and his accomplished team at the Bakke on December 6th, and Zoe’s team at the Bakke on November 15th-16th. You can find the game schedules on our team Instagram pages:  @wiscowomenslax  | @wiscmensclubvb |  @womenshockey_uw 

Lastly, shoutout to every one of my teammates past, present, and future ;) you all inspire me.

By Maya Kannel

Lake Street Bash Co-Chair, All Campus Party Team

WASBs Come Home: A Celebration of Connection

On October 12th, Professional Connections Team co-chairs Elliot Richer and Claire An hosted the fourth annual “WASBs Come Home” event, welcoming 22 incredible UW-Madison alumni back to campus for an afternoon of reuniting and reconnecting at The Great Dane.  Every year, this event reminds us that being a WASB transcends graduation, as WASB continues to show support by engaging its members beyond college. As I sat back, it was clear to me that this event was so much more than a social gathering; it was a homecoming in the truest sense.

Recent WASB grads and current members share brunch and great conversation.

As someone who joined WASB in Spring 2025, moments like this cause me to reflect on the memory of my first retreat and how much has changed since I walked into a space filled with 64 people I hardly knew for the first time. Admittedly, I was nervous and did not realize that those faces would soon feel akin to family. Still, I quickly learned that WASB is a group woven together by shared experiences and goals, strong bonds, and a supportive and collaborative environment. Liam Smith (‘25) reflects on his first retreat as a favorite memory as well: “At one point it's so much, but you never get that high again. Everything at once is so special.”

The moment that stands out most vividly to me from my first retreat was listening to the Senior Stories. I was moved, not only by realizing the profound impact WASB experiences had on these students’ lives, but also by learning just how special this organization had become to them. I learned how this community had supported them through good times, struggles, and everything in between. That was the moment it clicked for me. As I navigate my experiences in WASB and take each step forward academically, personally, and professionally, I know I have a strong community standing by my side.

Hearing alumni speak about their post-graduate journeys and how WASB continues to shape them long after college is one of the most inspiring parts of the WASBs Come Home event. Elizabeth Lanning (‘22), who helped create this wonderful event during her time as Professional Connections director, reflects on what it feels like to return: “It's nostalgic and inspiring, it reminds me of where I was and how this org helped me grow.”

More than the skills gained or accomplishments celebrated, what shines through in every conversation is the deep sense of connection WASB members feel. Coming home to WASB means being surrounded by people who truly see you for who you are. As Eric Eilers (‘93) put it, “Lifelong Badger friends. No matter where you are in life, you will get together with your friends. You have a tight-knit group for life.”

Former Professional Connections Team director and organizer of the first WASBs Come Home, Elizabeth Lanning (‘22), with current PC director, Annabel Allen.

WASB is not simply defined by the events we plan or the titles we hold, but by the people who make this organization feel like home. This event teaches the value of community, the importance of reflection, and the beauty of fleeting moments that become lifelong memories. Whether you are a current or past member, the spirit of WASB remains the same: welcoming, genuine, and full of heart. When watching alumni and current WASBs come together, I realized something: home isn't a place. Home is a feeling, and this event allowed WASBs, both past and present, to strengthen that feeling with each other.

For all of us, that home will always be WASB.

Current WASBs enjoy good food and even better company.

By Madison Murray

Bucky's Urban Odyssey Chair, All Campus Party Team

My Why WASB: Growing into My Badger Spirit

For me, answering the question “Why WASB?” is about reflecting on what drew me in and the gratitude I’ve held onto ever since.

Although I grew up in Minnesota, I’ve been a Badger since the day I was born. My parents met in Physics 103, and I’ve dreamt of continuing the Badger tradition for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always formed unlikely connections when someone noticed me wearing my mom’s Wisconsin Alumni sweatshirt and excitedly struck up a conversation. After constantly bonding with strangers over this shared identity, I always knew I wanted to be a part of a community with such a contagious spirit.

When I began my first year of college, I came to campus armed with so much theoretical Badger spirit, but over time, I felt like I lacked the types of friendships that would make me feel genuinely connected to campus in the way I had hoped to be. I was deeply interested in the topics I learned about in my classes, and I loved the ability to go from exploring the greater Madison area to retreating to the summer-camp-esque vibe of my dorm in Kronshage. Still, I wanted to expedite the process of finding my people. Everything else about my college experience seemed to just click for me, but socially, I was relatively stuck in my introverted ways and needed a way out… fast.

Enter WASB! Mid-semester of my freshman year, I decided to attend an open house for the student organization that my older sister had been raving about since she joined two years prior. Despite feeling apprehensive about stepping on her toes, I was drawn in by the welcoming and enthusiastic atmosphere. I immediately got the sense that I would be able to find my own place in the group. After hearing more about WASB’s structure and membership requirements, I felt like this was an opportunity to really push myself out of my comfort zone.

Flash forward two years, and joining WASB has been one of the best decisions of my college experience. Though my older sister and I spent three semesters together on WASB, I have always felt like people truly see and value me for who I am, independent of the impact she made on this organization. No community is perfect, but this is a space where I can be myself, with people dedicated to supporting one another and facing challenges together. Among these 65 individuals, I have never felt such a strong sense of belonging, where the strength of our relationships pushes us to hold one another accountable as we collaborate on event planning, community outreach, and internal projects. Being able to share this with my sister only made it that much more meaningful. 

Beyond the social aspects, taking on new roles within WASB has helped me grow more confident in myself and my professional abilities. From figuring out how to align student voice with the Wisconsin Alumni Association brand as the Social Media Chair, to planning an event for the nation’s largest alcohol- and cost-free celebration on the All Campus Party Team, and now finding ways to revamp our blog as the WASBlog/Website Chair, I’ve gained valuable skills that translate well to my academic and career-related endeavors. Through the work that we do to connect Badgers past, present, and future, I am constantly reminded of what makes this school so special, and I get to help enhance that student experience for others. 

Though I was once able to joke with my hometown friends that I had an “incognito mode” in Madison, as I could easily go all day without seeing anyone I knew, WASB changed that for me in the best possible way. Since getting off the bus from my first retreat, I probably haven’t gone more than a couple of hours without seeing or hearing from a fellow member. WASB is what turned Madison from a place where I could blend into the crowd to one where I belong and can live out the Badger pride I grew up admiring. 

If you resonate with my story or are curious about WASB, join us for our WASB 101 info session on October 22nd. Applications open November 3rd—stay tuned!

By Ali Browne

Website/WASBlog Chair, Marketing Team

My Why WASB: Finding My Community in College

In high school, friends are often childhood pals who you’ve known for forever, people that have stood by you even through the awkward years of braces, and for some of us, maybe even a Hamilton phase. Thoughts of these people are comforting, as they have helped shape the person you are as you enter college. Coming to the University of Wisconsin as an out-of-state first year student, leaving this world of familiarity to enter a campus of 40,000 students is daunting and, at times, feels seemingly impossible. Maybe for the first time in your life, you have to “put yourself out there” and find your own community; which, in my experience, is an ongoing process that takes some effort and patience. 

For me, I had to try on a few (metaphorical) hats. Some hats matched my interests that I had always been aware of, like dancing and writing, but there was one that I saw as completely outside of my comfort zone, WASB, which is the hat that brings me here today writing you this WASBlog. WASBs’ mission is to connect Badgers past, present, and future, and we achieve this through planning events that help bring students together. Though I had never planned an event before, I chose to apply to WASB because as a first year I wasn’t quite sure where I belonged on this campus, and I am not sure why, but I felt for some reason that it could give me some clarity. However, as someone who is not always the loudest in the room, I didn’t know how I was going to navigate meeting 65 new people at once.  To further the hat metaphor, upon arriving to retreat at the beginning of my first semester sophomore year, I felt like WASB was a green fedora that felt a tad out of my comfort zone, but held the potential to be flattering. I quickly discovered that it didn’t matter that I was naturally quiet, because WASB suited me just as much as it did anyone else. Feeling new is nerve-racking, but I had never met a group of people that from the outset appeared so genuinely happy to include me and the rest of my member class into their community.

 There are no prerequisites to apply. All we ask is that you bring an open mind, and an enthusiasm for making people feel connected to campus. WASBs range from computer scientists to business Badgers, and we’ve got a diverse set of interests and hobbies that can be anywhere from radio show hosts to polar plunge enthusiasts, to me, a barista that is passionate about curly hair routines, cooking, and Stevie Wonder. All I can say is, there’s a place for you on campus, and if you’re interested, there is a place for you in WASB. So don’t wait to apply! Check out our application for Spring 2023 here, which closed December 1st. Freshmen may remember us from the W Project which occurs every September, but if you would like to meet us in person, you should stay up to date with our upcoming events!

By Ali Wagman

Blog Chair, Marketing Team

Advice for UW Students from Fellow WASB Seniors and Friends

Time is an incredibly precious and weird construct. Sometimes I get wrapped up in how little time we have for certain experiences. I have been so hyper-aware that we only get four years of college and have used this as a constant reminder to try new things and seek out new opportunities. 

Now that I only have a few weeks left of my college career, these feelings have only intensified as I try to soak up moments with my roommates and accrue special memories around campus. The pressure I place on myself to make the most of every opportunity can at times be anxiety-inducing and exhausting, but I love getting advice from knowledgeable people about new endeavors. I consulted a few of my fellow senior friends to ask what advice they would give to younger UW students and compiled some of their guidance and wisdom.

When it comes to academics, my friend Eamon Toye suggests “Don’t be afraid to try out different classes and major paths; it feels like everyone is trying to make you decide your future at 18 years old, but as someone that changed majors junior year and is still graduating on time, just take your time to find what you like.” I spent my first two years here as an undecided major and used that time to explore possible majors while satisfying general requirements. As someone who had virtually no idea what I wanted to do, I loved this time to explore classes and concepts to narrow down specific major paths. Although it feels like a huge challenge, college is truly a time to learn and soak up as much knowledge as possible rather than fixate on specific grades, majors, or GPA. Care about your classes and your learning but never dwell on a bad grade or exam; it is a learning experience and your future is and will always be bright.

My friend, Ben Kangas advises, “There will be moments in college where you may feel stuck, whether it's with your academic endeavors or social life, but there are always opportunities for change. It's about finding different interests or individuals that bring you passion and happiness.” 

By far, the most advice I received from my friends centered around friendships and involvement throughout college. Grace Luptak recommends, “Do as much as you can; play an intramural sport, join some clubs, lay in the grass by the Union. You think you’re stuck in college forever but then you blink and it’s almost over. You’ll never be upset about trying too many things!” 

My good friend and fellow WASB Brigetta Hartzell offered further input as she advised, “College is a time to start fresh, you can be whoever you want. I had a friend who had never played frisbee in her life but decided to try out and made the varsity team. It was the best decision of her life. As my grandpa says, ‘Don’t even think about it, just do it!’ Encourage yourself to engage in spaces you thought were out of reach, freshman year is all about trial and error.” She goes on to explain that during difficult times, it’s never too late to reflect and make a change.   

“At the same time, it's ok if you decide you don’t like where you’re at. You can remove yourself from those spaces if they are not serving you. You’re an adult! You have complete autonomy over what your life looks like now and it's important to honor your desires. Build up a community that supports you and gives you the energy to support others.” 

I agree wholeheartedly with Brigetta and Grace’s wisdom. During my freshman year, I joined several organizations and spaces including Greek life, club sports, and WASB. It took time to figure out which spaces benefitted me the most and where I felt the most comfortable. Embrace the spaces that value, support, and challenge you in the best ways.

Friendships will ebb and flow throughout college. There will be times when you feel fully loved and supported but there will inevitably be times you feel alone. Regarding friendships, Ruby Ulrich says, “Some friends and relationships are meant to be temporary or only last for a certain period and it’s okay to move on.” Another friend volunteered, “Know your worth and don’t settle for any less than that. Choose friends who you look up to, and who you feel safe around. College can feel so isolating and it may seem like everyone around you has all these friends and their life is so put together, but people change, our needs change, and it’s okay if you don't feel your community at UW yet. Sometimes it takes time to feel like you have found your people. Be patient with yourself, there are so many people out there who will love and empower you.”

My friend Brooke O’Connor helps put the timeline into perspective as she adds, “Do not give up hope that your “college experience” won’t be all you wanted it to be. For me, at least, every year was completely different and I couldn't have predicted any of it from freshman year. Your social life is what you make of it, but things also will fall in place naturally, it just takes time.” On a similar note, WASB President, Jackson Walker contributes, “Wisconsin is awesome but it’s okay to not always be having the best time. Just like life, college is hard and will have its ups and downs. Ride the wave and have faith in yourself.” 

On mental health, Ruby Ulrich adds, “Always prioritize your mental health over anything. You never know what other people are going through, try to be mindful, kind, and understanding.” She further offers, “Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes, everyone makes them and they will help you grow in the long run.” Self-care in college is absolutely essential, so take the time these four years to explore the best ways to take care of your physical and mental health. 

To wrap up the advice from my lovely and wise senior friends, I offer a quote from Molly Phelan, All Campus Party Director; “I think the biggest reminder I would give younger UW students is that the person you are today does not have to be the person you are tomorrow. College gives you the chance to play around with what you like, who you like, and how you spend your time. I would try on as many versions of yourself as possible because you should not be the same person you were when you entered this place. People will celebrate your authenticity, I promise you. 

“Also remember, nothing is that deep. That test you failed, you will still find a way to pass that class. That time you lost your credit card, you’ll get a new one. That friendship that crumbled, you will meet somebody who understands you better. All in due time. Don’t let the pitfalls consume you. Be present with your buddies. Explore the parts of Madison that are off the beaten path. Milk everything you can out of this city because before you know it, your time will be up.”

By Margo Kurth

All Campus Party Co-Chair