LUCAS AT LARGE
Arneson living own dream with UW
By Mike Lucas
UWBadgers.com Insider
Dave Arneson had some simple advice for his son, Sam, during the college recruiting process.
“This is not my goal, at all,’’ he told him. “This is not my dream. You have to make it yours.’’
Over three decades ago, Arneson led Clintonville High School to the Wisconsin state championship. His dream was to play for the Badgers, and it materialized under the late Dave McClain.
Although he was a prep quarterback and safety, he was converted into a serviceable tight end; a backup to Bret Pearson. Among his UW teammates were Al Toon, Craig Fredrick and Paul Chryst.
Sam Arneson also dreamed of playing for the Badgers.
That, too, is now a reality.
“I’ve been coming to games here since I don’t know when — I think literally since I was five years old,’’ he said. “To be on the field this early as a freshman is something I’ve always dreamed of.’’
Although he played multiple positions — including quarterback and safety — at Merrill High School, Sam Arneson was projected as a college tight end because of his size (6-4, 245) and running ability.
Most freshmen assume that they’re going to redshirt unless told otherwise.
“Coach (Joe) Rudolph has told me since I got here in the summer, ‘Keep learning, be prepared, get ready,’’’ Arneson said. “He told me that before each of the first two games, too.’’
Arneson didn’t play in the opener against UNLV. But the decision was then made that the Badgers needed more depth at tight end, so he suited up against Oregon State and Northern Illinois.
Jacob Pedersen and Jake Byrne, the co-starters, get a majority of the snaps. Brian Wozniak, who has been battling injuries, is listed as the backup to Pedersen and Arneson is the backup to Byrne.
“Sam’s been very good,’’ said UW head coach Bret Bielema. “He has been a kid, to me, that’s been very surprising on how well he catches the football.’’
Arneson has predictably encountered the standard learning curve; freshman orientation, 101.
“Every day there would be some ups and downs during training camp,’’ he said. “But you have to try and be consistent. That’s what good players do.’’
The first few weeks were more stressful than expected. Arneson’s grandmother (on his dad’s side) passed away, and then his grandfather (on his mom’s side) had a heart attack, which he survived.
“I have a great family that is very supportive,’’ Sam Arneson said. “We really came together.’’
Dave and Marge Arneson couldn’t be prouder. They’re still living the Badger dream. Not unlike Al and Jane Toon, whose son is Nick; and not unlike Craig and Andree Fredrick, whose son is Jordan.
Nick Toon, of course, is a senior wide receiver who’s leading the Badgers in catches through three games, while Jordan Fredrick is a freshman wide receiver who’s being redshirted.
It turns out Dave Arneson, a Merrill assistant for 25-plus years, passed along some more advice to Sam Arneson.
“He told me, ‘Work hard, listen and bring everything you have on every play,’’’ Sam said.
Father, per usual, knows best.
