While the fifth annual Wisconsin Sports Awards serve as a way to honor the state’s best performers over the past year across all levels of sports — high school, college and profession — Tuesday night’s event belonged to University of Wisconsin.
More specifically, it belonged to the Wisconsin men’s basketball team.
The program not only earned the award for College Team of the Year and Family Insurace Dream Team of the Year, but also picked up the Badger Liquor Moment of the Year for their upset victory over the unbeaten Kentucky Wildcats in the 2015 Final Four.
.@BadgerMBB accepts the College Team of the Year Award, handed out by @TyMontgomery2 and @Mike_Daniels76! #WSA pic.twitter.com/xfh29eWQ4p
— WISportsAwards (@WISportsAwards) April 13, 2016
On an individual basis, former Badger Frank Kaminsky was the big winner of the night, walking away with two wins of his own as the Marc Marotta College Athlete of the Year and the ATI Athlete of the Year.
And despite his Charlotte Bobcats nearing the start of the NBA playoffs, Frank the Tank still managed to make a guest appearance.
When you're prepping for the #NBAPlayoffs, you accept your award via video. Congrats, @FSKPart3 #Badgers #WSA pic.twitter.com/QtSCKQ9XAJ
— WISportsAwards (@WISportsAwards) April 13, 2016
Former head coach Bo Ryan also decided to join the party, reuniting with members of the program and making his first public appearance since stepping down as the team’s head coach.
Bo Ryan on the Baird Blue Carpet at the @WISportsAwards, connecting with Nigel Hayes & Ethan Happ. pic.twitter.com/zRVwSbPH0C
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) April 12, 2016
Ryan’s presence led to him and current head coach Greg Gard sharing the stage on multiple occasions, but most notably when the two were surprisingly named as the Gruber Law Offices co-Coaches of the Year.
The #WSA @gruber_law Coach of the Year, co-winners?!?!? #Badgers pic.twitter.com/Mi05tIUTlq
— WISportsAwards (@WISportsAwards) April 13, 2016
Despite Wisconsin men’s basketball dominating the night, Badger running back and the football team’s leading rusher in 2015 Dare Ogunbowale stole part of the show.
Ogunbowale didn’t win an award. He was actually there to accept an award on behalf of his sister, Arike, who took home the Goodwill Power of Works Girl High School Basketball Player of the Year.
But, at night’s end, all eyes were on Ogunbowale, or DJ Dare, if you will.
Defensive back, running back and DJ?? @DGO23_ on the 1's and 2's. #Badgers @BadgerFootball #WSA pic.twitter.com/3sM47GD8Ho
— WISportsAwards (@WISportsAwards) April 13, 2016
After that performance, Ogunbowale should probably stick to football.
