Men’s Basketball Alumni Weekend and 2000 Final 4 Team Reunion Recap

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Over 80 UW Men’s Basketball Alumni, dating back to the early 1950’s, gathered for a great weekend and to honor the 10 year anniversary of the 2000 team’s run to the Final Four.

On Saturday, February 20, alumni were invited to watch the current Badgers practice. Prior to practice, 14 children who are a part of the Capital Candlelighter program, a support group for children and their families who are fighting cancer, and men’s basketball alums gathered for lunch. Rick Piacenza (Basketball, 1976) spearheaded the union to honor his late friend, Paul Morenz (Basketball and Baseball, 1966) who passed away from cancer. After lunch, alumni and the kids watched practice together. Following practice, the kids met the current team and got autographed.

On Sunday, February 21, alumni and their guests gathered in a sold out Nicholas Suite to watch the Badgers win a hard fought game vs. Northwestern.

During halftime, a highlight video of the 2000 Final Four run was played on the jumbotron. Following the video, members of the team were introduced individually to the crowd. Each team member received an award from former Director of Athletics Pat Richter and current Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez. Team members in attendance were: Mike Kelley, Jon Bryant, Andy Kowske, Mark Vershaw, Charlie Wills, Robert Smith, Roy Boone, Erik Faust, Julian Swartz and Dave Mader. The largest reception from the crowd was for Head Coach Dick Bennett, when he returned to the Kohl Center floor.

Posted: February 22, 2010