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BRIAN MASON
Happiest Place on Earth? EDITOR'S NOTE
I
n some ways, the team excursion to Disneyland that of- ficial begins Rose Bowl week here in Los Angeles serves as a pretty fitting event.
Like most of the Disney resort, Sleeping Beauty's Castle — which served as the backdrop for the Tournament of Roses welcome event that officially kicks off a week's worth of festivities — represents a fantasy. The same can be said of the Rose Bowl Game, which, for most college football players, will always remain just a dream. That's what makes Wisconsin's second-consecutive ap- pearance in the Granddaddy of Them All so special. For all the great players that never had the opportunity to touch the pristine field in Pasadena, many current Badgers will have the opportunity to do so twice.
Don't think that chance is lost on the Badgers, either.
Many of the players have noted the
team's desire to keep its focus squarely on the game itself — not the multitude of potential distractions that L.A. offers. That feeling was evident on Tuesday at Disneyland. Unlike last year, when large men (e.g., John Moffitt with a gi- ant turkey leg) could be seen wandering everywhere throughout the park, it was
tougher to spot guys in the team's issued sweats. Even the group selected to represent the Badgers at the accompanying media event — captains Bradie Ewing, Rus- sell Wilson, Patrick Butrym and Aaron Henry, plus Heisman finalist Montee Ball — fulfilled its obligations and then chose to promptly return to the team hotel.
I'm not saying the game wasn't a priority for the Badgers last year; that's simply not true. But it's clear the team has a great feel this time around for how to handle what Henry de- scribed as "the glitz and glamour" surrounding the game. One thing that's been impressive about this team is its abil- ity to stay loose in the face of situations that should call for it to feel pressure. It's a sign of confidence in their preparation — that their work has left them with no reason to worry. Enjoying the opportunities and soaking in everything that comes with a Rose Bowl berth is important, but so is working hard to make sure the fantasy doesn't just fade away. If the team can make their preparation pay off one more
time, the Happiest Place on Earth won't be found at Disney- land, but inside the Badgers' locker room.
