Greetings from the Chapter President
Hello Badgers!
As we enter the month of December, we look forward to the holidays and to spending time with family and friends. My fellow Board members and I want to thank you for all you have done to support our chapter. Your volunteering at the All Faiths Food bank, cheering on the badgers at our local game-watch parties, help with our monthly events or contributing to our scholarship program have all help make our local Chapter vibrant and exciting.
All of your support was recognized in October by the WAA. Our chapter was designated a "Bascom" Chapter by the WAA for the second year in a row. This award recognizes the meaningful contributions to Badgers living in their areas and for making a positive impact in their communities. Bascom Chapters represent the highest tier of WAA alumni chapters around the country.
It has been great to meet so many new badger friends this year and and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in the new year. We have a number of exciting events planned, some standard events like Founders Day, to newer events like the spring training game and the Sarasota Orchestra under the stars. We also will be looking to try some new events like Roller Derby and a golf outing. All of these events are aimed at helping to foster a "little bit" of Badger Community here in our beautiful Suncoast area.
Wishing you peace and joy this holiday and throughout 2020.
On Wisconsin!
Lorna Nagler
Save the Dates!
December Events
Annual Bratfest on Turtle Beach!
Saturday, Dec. 7 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Pavillion at Turtle Beach | 8627 Turtle Beach Road, Sarasota
Cost: $30
Join fellow Wisconsin Badgers for our annual Bratfest and enjoy brats, hamburgers, German potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, cookies, beer, and soft drinks. Remember, you should register in advance on the link provided so we can plan for enough food. After lunch, enjoy a wonderful walk on the beach.
The pavilion is located 2.6 miles after turning left off Stickney Point Rd onto Midnight Pass Road. Look for our banner on the right.
Any questions? Please contact Lorna Nagler, Event Chair, at 614-975-2361. You can also call Lorna to register and bring a check if you prefer.
Game-Watch Events:
Big 10 Conference Championship
This Saturday, December 7th at 8:00 P.M. will be the final conference game as our Badgers take on Ohio State for the Big 10 Championship. If you are looking for a place to watch the game, join us at Gecko’s Grill & Pub Southside Village to cheer on the Badgers! Enjoy a brat & beer as you join us in cheering on our team.
Bowl Selections
Don't forget, Bowl selections will be made soon, so keep an eye on our Facebook Events page and our website for game-watch details once we find out which bowl game our Badgers may be invited to play.
March Madness
Also in the New Year, we anticipate holding game-watch events associated with March Madness!
Game-Watch Parties at Gecko's
Make sure to you don't miss out on all the fun and Badger spirit at Gecko's! We also need to give a big shout out to Byron, the GM at Gecko's on Hillview, for the incredible hospitality that he and his staff showed us over this past football season.
Upcoming 2020 Events
- Jan. TBD - Polo Tailgate at Sarasota Polo Club
- Feb. 1st @ 1:00 PM Volunteering at All Faiths Food Bank
- Mar. 5th @ 5:30 PM Founders Day at The Bird Key Yacht Club
- Mar. TBD - Orioles Spring Training Game at Ed Smith Stadium
- April 4th - Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby Event at the Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex
- May 9th @8:00 PM - Sarasota Orchestra Pops at Ed Smith Stadium
Keep an eye on our Facebook Events page and our website for specific event information. We are also looking at potential other events such as a couples golf scramble, Packer game-watch, reschedule of the LeBarge Sunset Cruise, etc. Let us know if there is something you'd be particularly interested in at suncoast@uwalumni.com!
Hello fellow Badger,
Between our football team playing in the Big Ten championship game this weekend, our volleyball team beginning its NCAA tournament run and all of the success we are having across our other sports, it’s a great time to be a Badger!
We’re calling on Badger fans around the world to show their support and WEAR RED this Friday, Dec. 6. We’d love for you to join in and help us spread the message.
Here are ways you can participate:
- Keep an eye out and feel free to share WEAR RED social media messaging from our athletic department account(s) leading up to Friday
- WEAR RED yourself on Friday
- Share photos of you and your family on social media, tagging @UWBadgers and @WAASuncoast and using #OnWisconsin and #WAASuncoast
- We’re proud to call ourselves Badgers… so let’s show it on Friday!
On, Wisconsin!
Patrick Herb
UW Athletics
Thank You to All Our Volunteer Alumni!
Our local chapter would not be able to run all the events without your help. In the next issue, we will also talk about our upcoming events, our Snowbird Campaign, and ways we are looking to build our Badger community here on the Suncoast.
Until then,
On, Wisconsin!