Wisconsin

Wisconsin fans, media react to former Badger Zack Baun leading Eagles to Super Bowl 59 win

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2025

Wisconsin fans, media react to former Badger Zack Baun leading Eagles to Super Bowl 59 win

The Wisconsin football program was guaranteed to see an alumnus host the Super Bowl trophy on Sunday night.

Linebacker Zack Baun led a Philadelphia Eagles defense on one sideline, while Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal entered the contest in search of his third title in as many seasons in the league.

In the end, it was Baun with his hand on the trophy. The Eagles blew out the Chiefs 40-22 in the big game. That score doesn’t do a full justice to the Eagles’ dominance in all three facets — Philadelphia led 34-0 late in the third quarter before Kansas City finally cracked the scoreboard.

Baun was right in the middle of the lopsided result. He finished with seven tackles (three solo) and an acrobatic interception. According to Wisconsin football’s Nate Jelinek, Baun is only the second former Badger to record an interception in the Super Bowl, following Buffalo Bills cornerback Nate Odomes in Super Bowl XXVIII.

Baun’s terrific night caps off a career season. He signed with the Eagles last March after four quiet years with the New Orleans Saints. He turned that opportunity into 151 tackles, 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles and an interception in the regular season, then 33 tackles, two for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions in four playoff games.

The former Wisconsin pass-rusher (2016-19) hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the home of the team that let him walk out the door last offseason for a minimum contract.

Baun’s story is one of the best of the 2024 NFL season. He became one of the Eagles’ most valuable players throughout the year, capped off by being named a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. His performance on Sunday was integral to the Eagles’ dominant win, accurately reflecting one of the best seasons from a former Badger linebacker in recent memory.

Wisconsin football fans and media all celebrated Baun’s performance on the big stage. Here are some of the best reactions:

The interception

Generational run

Baun joins the list of former Badgers to win the Super Bowl

Big Cat chimes in

Baun’s place in history

Don’t forget he was a dominant high school quarterback

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

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Wisconsin

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

10 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Located in scenic Door County, Wisconsin, the town of Sister Bay is a waterfront town directly on Green Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Sister Bay for its access to hiking trails, nature preserves, and water pursuits such as boating, fishing, and ice-skating during winter. The town hosts a number of seasonal festivals including a film fest, marina fest, outdoor concert series, and the Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The annual Roofing of the Goats Parade is a popular event tied to Al Johnson’s, a local restaurant known for goats that graze on its rooftop during summer months.

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Wisconsin

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

Published

23 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.

We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.

There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)

Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).

Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).

Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).

Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).

Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).

Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).

Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).

Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).

Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).

Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).

Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).

Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).

Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).

Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).

Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).

Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).

Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).

Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).

Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).

Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).

About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

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