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A • * > ' m Loneliest Badger in Pasadena looks back * Rose Bowl special I'AJiK 21 - I'l AINDKAI KR - FRIDAY. DECEMBER 39.1*83 By Mike Lamb Ever since television brought professional and collegiate football to livingrooms across America, the Rose Bowl has always been the highlight of New Years Day. And, of course, this year's Rose Bowl will have significant impact in the state of Illinois and Chicagoland. When Illinois takes on UCLA this Monday, you can bet just about every televison set in the state will be turned on for the game. For one particular household in McHenry, the 1983 Rose Bowl will bring back old memories and a chance to live current ones. For Bill and Jo Ann Hut­ chinson and their family, the Rose Bowl is more than just a New Years tradition. Bill was the starting left halfback for the Wisconsin Badgers in the 1953 Rose Bowl game against the University of Southern California. His wife Jo Ann, then hometown sweetheart, flew across the country to watch Bill play. Two of their sons are University of Illinois graduates, while their daughter is currently a senior. Tom was a javelin thrower on the Illini track team, said on what he remembers' most of the game. Although only weighing 160 pounds and one of the smallest players on the team, Hutchinson was considered a valuable asset for coach Ivy Williamson. His good speed was a good com­ bination to go along with star­ ting fullback Alan 'the horse' Ameche. "You know he's just a little fellow, but he means a lot to us," said Williamson in one newspaper article. Hutchinson, although an in­ jury-free player throughout his Badger career, was plagued by injury problems before and during the Rose Bowl. A leg injury suffered during practice after the last game, kept him out of pre-game practices. He was described by Wisconsin and Illinois sports writers as the "loneliest Badger in Pasadena." He also suffered a concussion early in the 7-0 loss to the Trojans. He missed most of the game which was disappointing, being his senior year, but Hutchinson had many big plays for the Badgers in his career as a halfback and a punt returner to offset it. His biggest thrill was catching a 36-yard pass from John Coatta let's' talk V . - i - f .--J& 1'i. (If#!. •'? * ' ""•v .-. .:•*»» Bull Hutchinson returns the first punt of the 1953 Rose Bowl game down the sidelines against University of Southern California. Fullback Harold Han of the Trojans has just missed the tackle and Guard Terry Durkin is blocking another Trojan, Elmer Wilhoito, In the background. Hutchinson brought the kick back 15 yards before he was run out on the 50-yarcy ine. 'H Bill Hutchinson's 1953 ,n Rose Bowl ring X tviuu auuu , Jerry spent three seasons as a reserve punter on the football team and Sue is currently the number three singles player for the womens' tennis team. • All three are booked for flights to Pasadena, Calif, and will attend the Rose Bowl game. Although his childrenN^vill be unable to actually play in the* game, it's an occasion that has become special for the Hut­ chinson family. A East campus teacher and cross crountry coach, Bill last touched the Rose Bowl turf 30 years ago, but the memores are still fresh in his mind. "Looking back, it's hard to believe I was out there," saidJHutchinson "Just the feeling of playing in the biggest and most famous of all bowl games," Hutchinson during the 1952 season an a blizzard to beat Indiana 6-0 in front of 40,000 people at Camp Randall Stadium. He also holds the record for the longest punt return for the Badgers with a 96- yarder against Iowa. Hutchinson was a football standout at Schurz High School in Chicago. When he graduated, very few major colleges were interested in him. Tulane ex­ pressed some interest by in­ viting him to visit the campus. But that didn't pan out. His collegiate football plans seem dashed until a reporter suggested he check out Madison. The Badgers had a new coach and he was looking for players. Hutchinson didn't even know where Madison was, but he er.ued up impressed with the campus and coach Williamson. He spent his freshmen season without a scholorship, but his aggressive play earned him a scholorship his sophomore season. By his junior season, he was seeing quite a bit of playing time. He lettered his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. In 1952, Hutchinson was slated to back up a talented junior, Harland Carl. Carl was the fastest man on the squad, but he was constantly hampered by injuries. An early season injury by Carl gave Hutchinson the starting left-halfback position. A 117-yard performance against Iowa helped Hutchinson gain the Badger coaches' confidence. ended up Jke Badgers fourth leading rusheP that season with 228 yards. He also caught 14 passes for 194 yards and returned 10 punts for an 18.0 average. He also^cored four touchdowns. . Carl returned latter in the season to the starting halfback postion, with Hutchinson at second string. The Badgers finished with 4-1-1 record in the Big Ten, tied with Purdue. But the Badgers received the nod to play in the Rose Bowl after voting by Big Ten officials. In early December, Hut­ chinson suffered a knee injury during a practice drill and was unable to practice until just before the Rose Bowl. A large headline in the Chicago Sun- * Times read, "Hutchinson's injury may be serious." "I certainly hope Hutch is ready," said Williamson in a newspaper article. "We need him,'and I know he'll be an awfully disappointed boy if he can't play. He's a great kid, that Hutch. A great kid. "He's got as much heart as any boy I've seen. He has ab­ solutely no fear and no regard for his own safety. I still marvel at times as the reckless way he throws himself at players that outweigh him 50, 60 or 70 pounds." But Hutchinson came off the injury lift just a few days before the game. "He's not a nifty 'runner as HarianA Cart, but-he makes a good replacement," said Williamson to reporters when announcing Hutchinson was returning to practice. "I don't believe it will take him long to get his timing back. He's always in condition. After all, he only weighs 160 pounds and there isn't much of him to get out of shape." Carl twisted his knee in a practice just before the game and Hutchinson was named the starter by Williamson. Hutchinson returned the first punt of the game from the Badger 35-yard line to the 50- yard line. Three plays later, Hutchinson was knocked out on a crushing4 tackle by Bob Peviani. Hutchinson wouldn't return to the game until late in the fourth quarter. Use only score of the game wura ft yard pais fiearftady Bukich to A1 Carmichael. Carmichael later played for the Green Bay Packers. Hutchinson's football career ended after the Rose Bowl game, but not the many memories. Bill Hutchinson j- SPORT FANS... 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