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l a c r o s s e t i e s Above: Liz Gray, Jen Connors, ’08 and Ashley Connors cheering on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Above right: Jen, Liz and Ashley tailgaiting before a Packers game. Red hot at the ‘Frozen Tundra’ Packers Bikini Girls have UW-L ties By Sanja Dojcinovic been a family tradition for six years,” says Jen Connors. Each year “It’s Connors, her sister, Ashley, and cousin, Liz, throw on bikini tops under heavyduty parkas and brave painfully freezing temperatures of a Wisconsin winter during game breaks at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers Bikini Girls — their unofficial name — strip off their winter coats while holding up a homemade sign cheering on their team — in particular, Brett Favre. Two years ago they got their first taste of fame when ESPN featured them in a highlight video. Their photo also made it into an issue of Sports Illustrated. This year, however, things really took off. “I’m not sure why it’s been crazy this year, but all of a sudden everyone wanted to talk to us,” explains Connors. A media blitz ensued in January following the Packers’ loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The women 3 8 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 took as many as eight interviews a day the first week. Things slowed during the next two weeks when they averaged a “mere” five interviews per day from various radio and TV stations, magazines, newspapers, and others. Connors says the UW-L campus community’s response was overwhelmingly positive. “Students would recognize me sometimes,” she says. “Most thought it was cool.” The experience has been more than that. “This has been a great learning experience,” adds Connor. “It’s taught me a lot about dealing with different people, making contacts and being under pressure. I definitely feel more confident.” And it has taught that with good comes bad. Bloggers and Web site readers posted offensive comments about the trio. “I had to stop reading the comments on the different sites and blogs,” says Connors. “Some people got really vicious. I guess it’s taught me how to handle the negative stuff too.” Connors, who graduated in May in marketing and communications with an emphasis in public relations, is working on post-graduation plans. “I am considering anything that could come as a result of this experience,” she explains. The three women are even considering developing their own brand. “We got so much positive feedback on our swimsuits,” she explains. “We’d like to work on developing that further.”
Aaron and Alicia (Singstock) Stratman, both ’97, Franklin, a daughter, Alexa Rae, June 8, 2007. She joins sister Avaree (3). Tamara N. (Bishop), ’98, and Chad W. Johnson, Burnsville. Minn., twin daughters, Erica Rose and Morgan Lynn, Feb. 27, 2008. Rebecca (Schicker), ’98, and Nicholas Kerkenbush, Jefferson, a son, Jacob Daniel, Jan. 14, 2008. Jennifer (Bonlender), ’98, and Gregory Reilley, Waupun, a son, Patrick, March 11, 2008. Nicole (Boyer) and Donald Lang, both ’00, Marshfield, a daughter, Taiya Katherine, May 30, 2007. She joins sister Tessah (2). Nikki works part-time as a clinical lab scientist in microbiology at Marshfield Laboratories. Donald teaches math at Marshfield Middle School and is head varsity wrestling coach at Marshfield High School. Joel, ’00, and Kelly (Christensen), ’01, Gregozeski, Green Bay, a daughter, Emma, February 2008. Joel has a new job as leisure services director with the Village of Bellevue. Thomas J., ’00, and Nicole M. (Joas) Hooper, ’03, Eau Claire, a daughter, Lillia Claire, June 4, 2007. Thomas works for Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire; Nicole for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls. Amy DuPont, ’01, and Erich Zwicker, Onalaska, a son, Bryce Erich Zwicker, Nov. 20, 2007. It’s their first child. DuPont is anchor of La Crosse TV station WXOW’s “Daybreak” which received the “Best Morning Newscast” award from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in April. Ryan (Plier), ’01, and Michael J. Smith, Waterford, a son, Grayden Robert, Sept. 20, 2007. He joins brother Thatcher. Robin (Brett), ’00, and Benjamin J. Chambers II, ’06, Rochester, Minn., a son, Benjamin James III, Jan. 28, 2008. Josh, ’02, and Misty (Kratt), ’03, Bindl, Marshall, a son, Drew Frederick, Oct. 24, 2007. Great Google-y moogly Alum’s propensity for facts and figures continues to draw attention By Cary Heyer Remember Brad Williams? H e’s the “Human Google” whose penchant for tucking mostly useless bits of information deep into his limbic system for years and summoning it at the will of an inquisition was first reported in the Alumnus last summer. Not long after the feature was published, the 1977 UW-L alum and reporter for Mid-West Family Broadcasting in La Crosse and subject of a closely watched UC- Berkeley memory study has found himself on the other side of the microphone. A La Crosse Tribune article was picked up by the nationwide Associated Press newswire. Then a Swedish TV station called, followed by a story on “NBC Nightly News.” Williams has also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CNN. Next month, Williams will speak at the annual meeting of Mensa Dustin and Mandy (Bachmann) Checkai, both ’02, Sun Prairie, a son, Lincoln Paul, Nov. 4, 2007. Dustin works for Virchow Krause & Co.; Mandy at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. Alison “Ali” (Frei), ’03, and Dan O. Baker, Maple Grove, Minn., a daughter, Keira Elaine, April 2, 2008. Libbe (Stankowski), ’03, and Mark Slavin, Mosinee, a daughter, Ella Ruth, April 2, 2007. Libbe is a health educator for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. l a c r o s s e t i e s Brad Williams, ’77 International, and Esquire magazine plans to feature a story about Williams’ über-ability to recall peculiar facts, like the three dates on which thoroughbred Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown or which celebrity guests witnessed Tiny Tim’s wedding to Miss Vicky on the “Tonight Show.” The frequency with which he can cough up this stuff makes him only one of three people in the world who have been diagnosed with hyperthymesia, or “superior memory.” He isn’t always right. But, neither is Google. Williams is scheduled to return to California in August for more research. To follow his journey and witness his unique skill first-hand (“Brad Versus the Internet is particularly impressive), visit www.unforgettabledoc.com. Michael, ’04, and Sarah (Jaworek), ’05, Cummings, Waterloo, a daughter, Kaia Sophia, April 22, 2008. She joins a sister, Karis. Michael is employed by Zenith Tech. Inc.; Sarah, the Lake Mills School District. Kelly (Corcoran), ’06, and Charles Raymond, ’07, Fitchburg, a son, Ian Sayre, Nov. 9, 2007. Charles works at Covance Inc. in Madison. Kelly is a busy a stay-at-home mom. u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • s u m m e r 2 0 0 8 • 3 9
Page 1 and 2: Alumnus u n i v e r s i t y o f w i
Page 3 and 4: f e a t u r e s 8 Distinguished alu
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Page 7 and 8: Nuclear Med Tech students earn nati
Page 9 and 10: t h e m u l t i c u l t u r a l a l
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Page 13 and 14: Explore Ireland or Greece with UW-L
Page 15 and 16: Celebrate UW-L! Family, Friends & A
Page 17 and 18: Super service Pat Stephens receives
Page 19 and 20: Happy raffle winner enjoys Packer g
Page 21 and 22: By the numbers Total Square Feet: 1
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Page 25 and 26: Individual national championships
Page 27 and 28: Classmates lead teams to boys state
Page 29 and 30: Service adds up Alums recognized fo
Page 31 and 32: ’82 Gary G. Bloesl, Pretoria, Sou
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Page 35 and 36: ’01 Casey Sambs, Milwaukee, has r
Page 37: ’06 Paul Bagniefski (pictured) La
Page 41 and 42: Faculty/staff obituaries Merrill H.
Page 43 and 44: touched had class,” she said. And

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