Before the season, Wisconsin football sent three athletes to Big Ten Media Days. One was defensive star Vince Biegel. Another was senior and four-year starter Sojourn Shelton.
Then there was the piano-playing, 5-foot-11 (with two-inch cleats on), walk-on defensive back-turned-running back, who didn’t even play football until his junior year of high school.
Dare Ogunbowale dazzled at media days, lighting up the room with his shining smile and purple paisley tie. He was the keynote speaker, first selected by his teammates as a nominee and then chosen by the Big Ten Conference to give the address on behalf of the student athletes.
His rise to becoming one of the undisputed leaders of the Badgers, despite his small stature, backup role and relatively little football experience compared to the rest of his team, isn’t all that surprising considering what he’s done off the field in his time at Wisconsin.
“He’s a good kid. He’s funny. He’s got a big personality. He’s got a big, bright smile. He’s always ready to work,” said Justin Weaver, a coordinator for Beyond the Game. “But more importantly, he’s a good guy just to be around. He’s always thoughtful.”
After walking onto the team his first year, Ogunbowale immediately started his work with Beyond the Game, an initiative from the UW Athletic Department to better prepare athletes for life after their college careers come to an end. He stepped in as a freshman and immediately worked to better the program.
“I wasn’t really a fan of the things they were doing. I wanted to make sure I kinda asked fellow teammates, ‘Did they like it?’” Ogunbowale said. “I brought it to the different Beyond the Game coordinators that we’ve had throughout the years and brought different ideas up and they seemed like they worked.”
This initiative allowed Ogunbowale to climb the ladder and become the organization’s co-president, along with fellow running back Corey Clement. Through networking opportunities, interview workshops and the like, Ogunbowale has worked hard to ensure Beyond the Game is worthwhile for the athletes.
“I think it’s grown a lot, a lot more people find value in it, rather than prior it was just another thing people felt like they had to do,” Ogunbowale said. “So now a lot of people value it and have seen it help them for their future, so that’s what I’m happy about.”
Weaver, who has worked closely with Ogunbowale over the last few years, credits the redshirt senior running back and the work he’s done with expanding the program’s reach. More and more athletes have started to join Beyond the Game thanks in part to what Ogunbowale has created.
“He’s not necessarily just thinking of himself, he’s thinking about others. And trying to think of ways not only to enhance other people’s experience, but different ways that he can serve as a leader or mentor to other athletes as well,” Weaver said. “So you can see a lot more people are starting to see the platform that he’s on, that BTG is a way to enhance their leadership skills.”
Between the lines, Ogunbowale continues to dance around defenders and quietly rack up 100-yard games. Off the field, he’s creating a culture within BTG with the hope that he can help fellow Badgers reach their full potential.
“It’s just another way I’ve been able to help people that matter to me, which are fellow student athletes here,” Ogunbowale said. “So that’s probably the biggest thing, just being able to help others.”
After starting the season unranked, Wisconsin fought through its brutal schedule, coming out with just two losses heading into its final regular season contest. The Badgers have battled their way into the top five and have a realistic shot at making College Football’s Final Four.
It seems fitting that an undersized walk-on is a leader of a now elite team that had virtually no expectations prior to the season.
“I’m glad I’m in this situation. Being a leader on this team means a lot to me.” Ogunbowale said. “That’s the only reason I play is for my teammates and for them to vote for me to be a captain was still a very, very proud moment for me.”
Now, as Ogunbowale’s college career comes to a close, he has taken the time to think what his time as a Badger has meant to him. He’s accomplished quite a lot on the gridiron, rushing for 1,463 yards and 10 touchdowns. But most importantly, he has become the face of what has the potential to be the best Badger football team in program history.
“It’s fun. You really are kind of able to take a step back and appreciate all the things that you get to do here as an athlete, the games and things like that,” Ogunbowale said. “It’s real fun to reflect on all the things you’ve been through. I’m definitely gonna miss it.”
This certainly isn’t the end for Ogunbowale, though. Weaver pointed out that he isn’t bittersweet about Ogunbowale finishing up his college career and time with Beyond the Game, because he feels as if this is what he has been working for over the past five years.
“I’m excited because he’s prepared,” Weaver said. “For me, it’s no different than a kid that’s getting ready for a game. Game day is approaching. I’m excited to see what he does.”
Ogunbowale will probably test the waters in the NFL. But it’s a tough league and even the best-of-the-best in college can fail to find success at the professional level. Nonetheless, Ogunbowale has proven throughout his time as a Badger that he has what it takes to excel, no matter the arena.
“I’m not going to try and play Jedi and say exactly what he’s going to be doing. In a perfect world, I hope he’s still playing in five to 10 years,” Weaver said.
“I see him being great and I see him being a leader in whatever field that he’s involved in.”
