THE DREAME
Dick Bennett came to Wisconsin with a plan, selling a dream that became a reality when he led the Badgers to the Final Four in 2000
BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM O
n March 31, 1995, Dick Bennett was introduced as Wisconsin's new basketball coach. Not that he needed a formal introduction. Bennett was no stranger to anyone in the state after turning around programs at Eau Claire High School, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Green Bay. But he was in a different state of mind that day with the Badgers.
"It's scary and, of course, exciting,'' Bennett said of the job opportunity. "I sense the challenge of a lifetime for me. But I have a plan. I even have a picture in my mind of how we have to do it.'' Wisconsin was his dream job, and he didn't hesitate to encourage others to dream
along with him. That was the theme for Year One: Start the Dream. And that slowly evolved — defensive slide step by slide step — over the next five seasons to "Reach for the Dream'' and "Touch the Dream.'' After the Badgers outlasted Purdue, 64-60, in the West Regional final of the 2000
NCAA Tournament, Bennett stood in front of his players and said, "I never thought I was going to be able to say this to a team, but now you can live the dream — and the dream is a trip to the Final Four.''' Some thought it was the impossible dream. Improbable was more fitting. But what about indelible? Surely that Final Four will forever be part of Bennett's legacy, which will now
include his 2012 induction into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. "I'm very thankful and grateful that it's happening,'' he said. "I didn't think I was there long enough for them to want to do something like that.'' Pausing before continuing, he said, "But I do appreciate those who felt that I was worthy.''
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