Royal Purple

Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: photo submitted Members of the 2007 National Champion Warhawk football team take time for a picture with the championship trophy and State Representative Kim Hixson.

If the spotlight wasn't on the Warhawk football program during the 2007 football season, it certainly is front and center on the team now.

During separate sessions on Jan. 15 in Madison, the Wisconsin State Senate and State Assembly offered their congratulations to the UW-Whitewater football team on its accomplishments during the 2007 season. The team was initially welcomed to the state capitol on behalf of Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and former UW-Whitewater professor and current state Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater.

"It's interesting to see how politics work a little bit," Leipold said. "Especially in this state, at the university level and the level we play at, we are kind of indebited to them for support … It was different. I had never been there myself."

However, a bigger event awaited the team the following night, as the 'Hawks returned to Madison for a special reception with Gov. Jim Doyle, D-Wis., at the governor's mansion. Over 70 people attended the ceremony, and heard Doyle issue his congratulations to the UW-Whitewater players and coaches. Following the reception, Doyle was presented with a personalized No. 1 Warhawk jersey that featured his name sewn on the back.

"It's been a whirlwind of things happening," Leipold said. "It's been amazing, [with] the notes and cards … I think [it's] what really helped bring out pride in the university, and hopefully to the state a little as well." While much of the attention since the national title game has focused on the Warhawk team, a fair amount has been given to Leipold. UW-Whitewater's first-year head coach was named the D3football.com Coach of the Year and was chosen for the same award by the American Football Coaches Association. "It's a huge honor, because [the AFCA award] is voted on by your peers," Leipold said. "But before it even gets to myself, it goes back to our coaching staff and the program."

Leipold was also at the center of speculation earlier this month regarding possible interest in the open head coaching position at Minnesota State University-Mankato. According to the Mankato Free Press, Leipold had been contacted by the school about its open position and was being considered as a candidate. However, Leipold dismissed the rumors that he was interested in the job, and said that the contact he had with the school was merely informal.

"All [Minnesota State-Mankato's] athletic director did was follow up on [and] explore different leads," Leipold said. "It never had the legs that people thought it did."

Leipold also said the situation wasn't as big as people thought.

"It was blown way out of proportion. I had phone calls congratulating me on taking the job, [when] they haven't even done their interviews yet … It became a distraction pretty quickly."

Even though the 'Hawks continue to receive accolades, Leipold and the rest of the Warhawk coaching staff are already focused on the 2008 season.

"This is kind of where we start to turn that page, and start taking the next step," Leipold said.

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