Football players make connection with seniors
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
In March, 26 members of the 2014 Division III national football championship University of Wisconsin-Whitewater team took to the field – or rather, Fellowship Hall – to huddle up with residents of the Fairhaven Retirement Community.
Following a viewing of the video of the press conference introducing Kevin Bullis as the 21st UWW head football coach, and only the fourth coach since 1956, Bullis shared with a laugh that he had never seen the video of that press conference until now.
Bullis described the heart of UWW’s football program as being “all about teaching, all about education.”
As he scanned the standing-room-only Fellowship Hall, Bullis added, “The people in this room are some of the best teachers there are. You’ve got a lot of learning in your experiences. That’s why it’s important to us that we have a chance to be able to be here with your today, and to share what we’ve had a chance to be a part of, but also for you to share with us.”
Brian Robinson, leisure services director for Fairhaven, presented Bullis with a cap and T-shirt, and then Bullis drew the lucky ticket of Fairhaven Resident Pat Smith for a 2014 National Championship T-shirt signed by the UWW football team.
The football team members introduced themselves and shared their position on the team, their hometown and their academic majors, before taking part in an ice cream social – and plenty of good conversation – with members of the Fairhaven community throughout the lobby and seating area.
After the event, several Fairhaven residents shared their thoughts about having the chance to meet with the football players and its value for them and the young men.
“This event brought together strong healthy young athletes and a retirement community,” Beth Eachor said. “It was quite a scene, many of the residents with their wheelchairs or walkers, and these good sized athletes. We came together and enjoyed each other’s company, as well as an ice cream treat, that young and old enjoyed no matter what our age”
The feeling was mutual.
“Visiting Fairhaven was a great opportunity for the Warhawk football players to give back to this great city,” Bullis said. “We have a great contingent of Warhawk supporters in Fairhaven that seldom can attend our games so the meet and greet served as an opportunity connect our players to fans that they seldom see.”
The players also appreciated the connection.
“It was a neat feeling to see the excitement on the residents’ faces when we arrived at Fairhaven,” said quarterback Chris Nelson, a 2012 graduate of Wilmot Union High and a junior at UWW. “I thought the ice cream social was the best part. We were able to interact with the seniors and share many stories. I will never forget when Irma Jo Sutton asked me what year I was born. She then laughed hysterically when I answered 1993 and then she proceeded to tell me she was born in 1919.”
“Overall it was a tremendous experience and I can’t wait until we make another trip out to Fairhaven.”
