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UW-Whitewater players, fans celebrate national title

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Warhawk Champs

The UW-Whitewater Warhawk football team returned to campus Sunday to celebrate its national title.

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WHITEWATER — Some fans kicked themselves for not going to Salem, Va., to see the game live.

But they shucked those bitter feelings Sunday evening.

There was only room for joy at the Williams Center when the NCAA III national football champion UW-Whitewater Warhawks ran into the gym.

The fans had waited three years to chant, “Who’d we beat? Mount Union!”

And the players had waited three years for the right to sing Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” which they did in a jumble of Carhartt jackets, Warhawk purple wind breakers, a national championship trophy and giant smiles.

Some fans admitted sheepishly they didn’t expect to see the Warhawks beat Mount Union College on Saturday at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” said David Skelton, Whitewater. “But we were ready for it.”

This is the third year in a row the teams met in the national championship; Mount Union won the first two.

Mount Union of Alliance, Ohio, has won nine of the last 14 championships and was favored to win again.

Richard VanSchoonhoven knew the Warhawks could take it if they got a break. The sleet and rain at Saturday’s game was just what VanSchoonhoven wanted.

“I knew we had a shot if they were going to play on a miserable field.”

Of course, there were fans like Joyce Follis, retired UW-W athletic department secretary, who never lost faith in a Warhawk victory.

“I knew it was going to happen,” Follis said. “They were up for it. They were prepared.”

Senior Eric Martindale had been to every game this season and last year’s championship game, but he had to stay in Whitewater on Saturday for his roommate’s graduation. He was mad he didn’t see the game live but relieved he remembered to wear his lucky boxers.

“I knew they had a chance, but they had to have a good game,” Martindale said. “They had to do everything right.”

Former UW-W coach Forrest Perkins, who retired in 1984, was swept up in a victory hug before he could make it to the podium. When he got to the microphone, Perkins reminded the team he had told them they needed to play their best game.

“And you sure as hell did,” said Perkins. “You showed the world what togetherness is, what our prayers are and how to perform with happiness and pride.

“I thank you for that.”

Former coach Bob Berezowitz got a little choked up addressing the team. The championship had eluded him when he was the quarterback in 1966 under Perkins. And he coached the team through the last two championship games against Mount Union before retiring.

“On behalf of everyone who’s ever been a Warhawk, thanks for making our dreams come true,” Berezowitz said.

The game only took a few hours but will last a lifetime, coach Lance Leipold said.

“You have just done something that will bond you for the rest of your lives,” Leipold said. “The community, the university and the state are proud of you.”

Quotes from Sunday's rally

What was different going into this game?

—“It felt different. It was still exciting, but it had a familiar feel. We had a little more intensity than in past years. We were a little closer as a team and a unit.

—Brent Allen, senior, center

“Going into Tuesday before we left, we were watching them on tape, and we knew we could beat them. Their stats were unbelievable, but we knew we could do it.

“We were so loud in the locker room, I thought the whole building was going to come down.”

—Justin Beaver, senior, running back

“We were better as a team. We picked the defense up when they needed it, and they picked us up when we needed it.

“And we went into it not thinking Mount Union was unbeatable. We came out with that fire that we needed.”

—Brady Ramseier, senior, offensive linesman

Were you surprised?

“I was surprised by the way we jumped out in the beginning. After that, it was ‘can the clock go fast enough to keep up with them?’

“But never underestimate our group. As they progressed through the season, their focus and determination stepped up. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

—Coach Lance Leipold

“A lot of people didn’t give us much of a chance to win. You hear it. But we knew we were good enough to win.

—Neil Mrkvicka, senior, receiver

On the win:

“I didn’t even know how to react, how to respond. Of course it’s amazing to win the championship. But to do it with your best friends, that’s pretty awesome.”

—Mrkvicka

“It’s a great feeling. Especially knowing how hard everyone worked for it. We all talked about it every day, 10 or 15 times a day, how bad we wanted it.”

—Danny Jones, senior, quarterback

“The biggest thing I’ll remember is how much heart the seniors had played with. It was so special and unbelievable to watch.”

—Beaver