MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department in conjunction with Oscar Mayer is pleased to announce Vernon Molbreak of Madison, as today’s Wisconsin Football Season Ticket Holder of the Game.
Vernon made his first appearance at Camp Randall in 1938, as a freshman at UW. In one of the first games he attended, the Badgers won their first-ever game against a ranked opponent, defeating No. 7 Northwestern 20-13.
Vernon would continue attending games as a student until 1942. On the cusp of attending law school but with World War II looming, he enrolled in a civilian pilot training class.
Four months later he left UW as a member of the 4th Flying Badgers Squadron, serving four-and-a-half years of active duty as a Navy pilot in the South Pacific. When he returned from the war, Vernon completed his coursework and received an undergraduate degree in 1948, and a law degree from UW in 1949.
Today, Vernon, 93, remains an avid Badger fan. He goes to great lengths to get to almost every home game. He begins his Badger Saturdays by parking in Lot 60 and taking a bus over to the stadium. There, he has two tickets directly behind his daughter, Marilyn, and his son-in-law Mark, with who he most commonly attends games.
When asked what he finds most special about game at Wisconsin, Vernon is quick to point to the high level of energy at every home game, as well as the consistently high attendance at Camp Randall, even in the years when the team struggled. He has especially enjoyed the most recent bouts with Michigan State, enjoying the high level of play between the two evenly matched competitors.
Even after having witnessed almost three quarters of a century worth of Badger Football, Vernon’s love of the game and for the team haven’t diminished a bit. It’s what keeps him coming back year after year, and can best be exemplified by his simple, yet powerful statement: “I just love Badger football.”
As part of being named the Season Ticket Holder of the Game, Vernon will be recognized on the field during today’s game vs. Northwestern.
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department is pleased to join Oscar Mayer in saluting Vernon Molbreak as this week’s Season Ticket Holder of the Game.
From www.uwbadgers.com