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Warhawks to play a charmed game

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2007 Boys Craig-Parker Basketball

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Regina Shirkey

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Allison Rygh

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Katie Rankin

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Kyle Kopplin

WHITEWATER — Kyle Kopplin counts himself among the financially strapped UW-Whitewater students who would love to be sitting in the bleachers at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl this Saturday in Salem, Va.

“There are a lot of people excited over the game,” Kopplin said. “I don’t know many people going. We’re poor college kids.”

But that doesn’t mean Kopplin will miss the game.

While the Warhawks play Mount Union College for the NCAA Division III championship, the 22-year-old senior and hundreds of other UW-Whitewater students will be watching on TV.

“The campus is buzzing about this game and the football team all year,” said Katie Rankin, another 22-year-old senior.

The Warhawks are no strangers to the Stagg Bowl. This year’s title game will be the third consecutive year the local team has advanced to the championship game.

The game will also feature a familiar opponent: UW-Whitewater and Mount Union played the last two Stagg Bowl games against each other.

Mount Union was victorious in both games, winning by scores of 35-28 in 2005, and 35-16 in 2006.

However, Whitewater Athletic Director Paul Plinske is confident the third time’s a charm.

“While it’s such a rewarding time for our program, we are going to Salem to take care of some unfinished business,” Plinske said.

Head football Coach Lance Leipold sees the game as a great team accomplishment.

“Our coaches, assistant coaches and players have worked hard, and this is an acceptance of transition,” the first-year coach said.

For Rankin, who will watch the game on TV with friends, Saturday will be her last chance to experience the excitement of a campus united in its quest to bring home a national title.

“It’s my last year (at UW-Whitewater) and I would like to see them do well,” Rankin said. “They’ve been successful this far, and I hope that continues in this game.

“I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.”

Allison Rygh, another 22-year-old senior, will be visiting her South Wayne home this weekend and won’t be able to see the game. However, she has a contingency plan in place.

“I’ve planned regular updates on my cell phone,” she said.

“My entire family are UW-Whitewater alumni,” she added. “If we didn’t have a previous family commitment, we’d all be with friends at their parties to watch the game.”

Watch the game

The UW-Whitewater football game against Mount Union College for the NCAA Division III championship will be televised on ESPN beginning at 3:06 p.m. Saturday.

Fans are invited to send messages of luck and support to the team through an online guestbook at https://guestbook2007.uww.edu/.

Fans planning to watch the game in Whitewater can see it on a big screen in Drumlin Dining Hall. It also will also be shown in Room 183 of the Williams Center after commencement has concluded.

For more information, visit www.uwwsports.com.