Alumni vs Varsity Basketball a Crowd Pleaser!

A beloved annual alumni tradition returned to the Badger Den on November 21 for the first time since 2019 after being halted by COVID and gym floor replacement. Our Alumni vs Varsity Basketball Game filled the gym with energy and good-natured rivalry as twenty alums from as far back as the Class of 2005 and as recent as six from the Class of 2023 showed up to play and be coached by former coach and AD Gordon Fields. They took on a determined varsity team with a much smaller bench, coached by varsity coach Sam Dale, who stepped onto the court occasionally to give a player or two a rest. The alumni team took an early lead and stayed ahead, with a fresh squad of five players subbing in every few minutes. The varsity players never let up, keeping the pressure on throughout the game. There were plenty of former, older Badger teammates on the court, as well as some current college freshmen from last year's team. Two sets of brothers were pitted against each other, adding to the rivalry. The gym was filled with spectators, both current and past Tandem community members. There were many alumni on hand to watch the game, including plenty from the Class of 2023. There were past parents there to watch their alums play, and some who came just to reconnect and watch the fun. The game ended with an epic moment - with 23 seconds left on the clock, Coach Gordon put on a pinnie at the coaxing of his players and headed onto the court. When play resumed, he got himself to the baseline, his teammates fed him the ball, and he easily sunk a three-pointer to end the game. The gym erupted! Check out Gordon's shot here.