The Wisconsin Badgers men’s sports season is coming to a close, and I am ready to hand out some awards to some standout athletes that represented the Badgers very well this season.
MVP: John Tonje, basketball
For a program reeling from a disappointing NCAA Tournament loss and the transfers of key starters, Tonje provided an unexpected lift this season. Tonje entered as a sixth-year senior after finishing an injury-riddled season at Missouri and four years at Colorado State prior.
Tonje had a bevy of sensational performances, including dropping 41 points against No. 9 Arizona. He also scored 32 points in a road win at Purdue and another 32 in the Badgers thrilling win over Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament. Tonje almost brought the Badgers all the way back in their Round of 32 NCAA Tournament game against BYU, as he notched 37 points — a school record for points scored in a tournament game.
Tonje earned Second Team All-American honors and had one of the most successful single seasons for a Badger this century.
Transfer of the Year: Tawee Walker, football
Tonje might as well win this award too, but in the name of fairness, this award will go to the transfer running back. We all know this was an extremely disappointing season for Badgers football, but Walker had some nice performances.
Walker finished with 864 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. He ran for 198 yards and three touchdowns against Rutgers, scored a touchdown against Penn State and notched 97 tough yards in the near-upset win over Oregon. Like last year’s transfer of the year winner AJ Storr, Walker is off to another new home at Cincinnati, so this award has become pretty ironic.
Freshman of the Year: Gavin Morrissey, hockey
Morrissey was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the men’s hockey team. Morrissey finished with nine goals and 23 assists, and his 32 points were good for third best on the team. Morrissey played in every game and was a finalist for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Morrissey will be a fixture of next year’s squad looking for a bounce back.
Coach of the Year: Greg Gard, basketball
The oft-maligned coach who is the focus of constant Badgers Twitter debates stewarded the Badgers to a quality season this year. The media projected the Badgers to finish in 12th in this year’s Big Ten. Instead, Gard led the Badgers to a 27-10 record, and the Badgers finished seven spots higher in the conference than originally projected. Wisconsin made the Big Ten Tournament final and won an NCAA Tournament game. While the Sweet 16 monkey is still on Gard’s back, this season was a step in the right direction.
Game of the Year: 103-88 vs. Arizona, basketball
The Badgers welcomed No. 9 Arizona to Madison for an early season test against a preeminent program. Wisconsin poured in over 100 points, and Tonje made his first mark on the Badgers with his electric 41-point outburst. Wisconsin went on to win by double digits, students stormed the court and the Badgers announced to the college basketball world that they would be a legit contender this season.
Badger of the Year: Hunter Wohler, football
The Muskego, Wisconsin native personified what it means to be a Badger. Wohler finished a fantastic Wisconsin career this past season. The safety tallied 12 tackles against Oregon and 11 against Penn State, valiant as always in big games. Wohler never transferred and remained a Badger through success and failure.
Team of the Year: Swimming and Diving
Swimming and Diving deserves a shoutout for delivering their best output in the NCAA Indoor Championships since 2017. The team finished 22nd at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Additionally, five Badgers earned All-American honors, including Dominik Torok, who earned First Team honors.
