Warhawks welcome Fairhaven residents to Perkins Stadium
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
Some of the Warhawks biggest fans recently received special treatment when approximately 25 residents of Fairhaven, a continuing care retirement community in Whitewater, attended a football practice at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Perkins Stadium.
The residents – all of whom said they are fans of the team, some for 50-plus years – spent a couple of hours observing.
“I really enjoyed watching them go back and forth, doing the different drills,” Joyce Smith said.
Carol W., who said she’s been a fan since moving to Fairhaven three years ago, said she really enjoyed watching the practice.
“Being there made me want to attend a game in the future,” she said, while fellow resident Richard said the practice “was really good.”
Ruth Nicholson, who has been a fan since 1966 when she joined the faculty at UW-Whitewater, revealed that if she played football she would be the “place kicker because it’s not as dangerous as other positions.”
Having only previously seen “bits and pieces (of games) on TV,” Betty Schoonover said, she “loved going over to the stadium.”
Irma Jo Sutton, one of a few residents spotted dancing to the music during practice, said it was “Fun, whoopee! And was interesting watching them practice so many things.”
Amy Edmonds, the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at UW-Whitewater, said the university was “honored to welcome some of our friends from Fairhaven to Perkins Stadium. I hope they enjoyed their interactions with our student-athletes, coaches and administrators as much as we enjoyed our interactions with them.
“They are some of our biggest fans, and we are certainly welcome their support. We hope to continue this mutually beneficial relationship for years to come,” Edmonds said.
The event was part of the Warhawk Leadership Academy’s Warhawks Give Back initiative, which encourages UW-Whitewater student-athletes, coaches and administrators to develop relationships on campus, throughout Whitewater and in the greater community.
“As an athletic department, we value our relationships with our community partners. Putting on events with groups like Fairhaven is part of our Warhawks Give Back program, which seeks to engage members of the campus and surrounding communities and tell the stories of our student-athletes. These relationships fit perfectly with our goals of engagement and collaboration with the community,” Edmonds said.
Brian Robinson, the Director of Leisure Services for Fairhaven Senior Services, said the event was special because it allowed residents easier access.
“Going to a game might sound easy… You park, walk to the stadium and enjoy the game with thousands of others. For seniors, it isn’t always as easy and this group enjoyed the luxury of getting dropped off inside the gates and having the bleachers all to themselves,” Robinson said.
“We also enjoyed the company of multiple members of the athletic staff including Athletic Director Amy Edmonds. The practice was enjoyed by all of us and we can’t wait to do it again next year. Go Warhawks!” Robinson said.
An unexpected bonus came about halfway through the practice when head coach of the Warhawks, Kevin Bullis, and a handful of players, ran up the bleachers to meet and talk with their special guests.
“For the coach to take time out of practice to greet us all and to have some of his players do the same meant a lot to us,” Robinson said.
Bob Koenitzer, who said he’s been a fan of the team for 50-plus years, said he “enjoyed meeting the coach when him and the players came up, shook our hands and talked to us a little bit.”
In the days following the practice, a few residents shared their support and the words of wisdom they had for Bullis.
“Keep up the good work,” Carol W. said, while Sutton added, “Keep on.”
“Be yourself. Enjoy the games, have fun and try to avoid stress as much as possible,” Nicholson said.
Mary Sykes, however, said she needed to observe the team in action first.
“By the end of the year I might have something to say,” Sykes said. “I will watch or listen to their games this year.”
She will likely be only one of numerous residents – and fans – who live just down the road from Perkins Stadium doing so.
