Football. Something that most people enjoy seeing live, watching from the comfort of their own home, or in Jim Barber and John Gregory’s cases, announcing football games.
This weekend the UW-Whitewater Warhawks took on the St. John University Johnnies in one of two division three semi-final games before the Amos Stagg Bowl game. In a game that was very heavy offensively for both teams, Whitewater had just the better game plan into it.
“It is one of those atmospheres that you walk into and you know that this stadium can hold it.” Jim Barber, play-by-play announcer for the game said before kick-off.
It has been a long time since ESPN has been in Whitewater for any playoff game, but they still know how to show up and support their team, no matter the weather, but we all know about the weather in Wisconsin can be interesting some days.
But working for ESPN was not only a rewarding experience, but a fun time for all involved, no matter where or what department they were helping. Some students got to work directly with ESPN, some worked with the replay team, and some even worked with UWW Athletics.
The atmosphere at Whitewater is something that is special for all that are able to attend, and even more fun. With the reputation that they have at home, it was a good place to host the game before the biggest game of the season. It goes to show that there is something to home-field advantage.
With UWW-TV covering the first two football games of the playoffs, the first one against Monmouth and the second against Wartburg. Then the team traveled to Texas to take on Mary Hardin-Baylor, the defending division three champion, in the Quarterfinals and had one of the greatest upsets in this postseason, only right behind Mount Union, the number one team in the division three top 25 rankings, were upset at home.
“Seeing the transition from our (UWW-TV) production to the professional (ESPN) production, it is crazy to see how similar they are but still how different it is as well.” Tyler Scheuermann, a student worker for UWW-TV said.
Determination. This one word could easily define the team and show the potential that this team has this entire season. After seeing this game and showing this team that there is only one more game for some of these players, it is now or never for this Whitewater team.