Over the fourth of July weekend, several members of the Warhawk football team spent their time at the Milwaukee Country Zoo.
On the fifth, Milwaukee County executive, Scott Walker, wanted to thank the veterans and their families by offering them free admission to the zoo as part of Milwaukee County Operation Freedom. UW-Whitewater alumnus and former Warhawk football player Tom Karthausser notified the warhawks of the volunteer opportunity at the zoo.
Head coach Lance Leipold said, "as a team we want to give back to the community." The Warhawks were there to offer support by spending the day grilling food for the veterans. Karthausser said,"They [the football players] did an outstanding job. Collectively, we grilled 24,000 pieces of meat and all was served to veterans and their families."
Those that volunteered included current players
freshmen: Kevin Gorman (Wauwatosa/West), Ian McKechnie (New Berlin/Eisenhower), and Shane Wilson (Glendale/Nicolet); sophomores: Bernie Tamsett (Waterford/Waterford Union), Joe Hansen (Greendale/Greendale), Anthony Dowery (Milwaukee/South Division), Grant Poenitsch (Sussex/Hamilton), and Jimmy Norris (Hoffman Estates, IL/William Fremd); juniors: Aaron Samplawski (Horicon/Horicon) and Sam Overton (Milwaukee/Riverside); seniors: Robbie Ustruck (West Allis/Hale), Mark Gawronski (New Berlin/Eisenhower), Wesley Hicks (Milwaukee/Vincent), and Grant Murray (Waukesha/Homestead).
UW-W football won the Stagg Bowl, the NCAA DIII national championship, in 2009 and 2007 and were runners up in 2005, 2006, and 2008.
For additional information: Lance Leipold, UW-W Head Coach
