Sam Veit walked on to the starting punting position as a freshman in 1991 and stayed there for the remainder of his college career, ending in 1994 with the greatest honor of all, a Rose Bowl win. He currently ranks fourth in school history in punting yards with 8,016 yards. Veit remains active with both the University and football to this day, teaching consumer science classes as well as kicking and punting to area players. Current UW punter, Brad Norton, who started working with Veit during his sophomore year of high school, is a testament to Viets teaching methods.
YEARS AT WISCONSIN: 1991-1994
HOMETOWN: Racine, WI
CURRENT ADDRESS (CITY): Muskego, WI
CURRENT FAMILY: Wife Amy, Children Isabella, Sophia and Beau
What have you been doing since graduating and where are you living and working now
I own an advertising agency called Veit Direct Marketing and am a Lecturer with the School of Human Ecology at UW.
Is football still a part of your life, how so
I give private punting/kicking lessons in the area during the summer. I worked with current Badger punter Brad Nortman since his sophomore year of high school. Its funny seeing him out on the field at the position I used to play but hes doing awesome.
How has your academic experience and/or your degree from UW assisted you in your chosen career
The consumer science major was a perfect fit for the advertising worlda unique combination of business courses, consumer issues and government regulations. The smaller class sizes were great to help learn the material and allow everyone to get to know each other.
As fate should have it, Im actually teaching some of the classes that I took as a student, so from that perspective, my academic experience really helps me relate to my current students.
What is your fondest memory as a student athlete
Meeting my wife Amy. That trumps anything I did on the football field. I knew right away that we were meant for each other and proposed to her while we were still in school. Weve been happily married now for almost 13 years.
What was your favorite moment on the football field
Winning the 1994 Rose Bowl. It was the first one the school won and really was the first great sports moment in the state of Wisconsin since the Brewers lost the 1982 World Series. What made that game even more special was that my dad played for Iowa when they won the 1957 Rose Bowl.
Do you still currently follow UW football Have you been back to any games How does if feel to be back
Yes. I try to get to at least one game a year and watch the rest on TV. Its certainly not the same being in the stands as it was being on the field but still a lot of fun.
What do you miss most about being a UW football player Miss the least
What I miss most are Game days. Actually getting to have fun and play a game in front of 70,000+ fans was awesome.
As for missing the least, all the idle practice/meeting time. I just enjoyed kicking the ball and I dont think the average fan realizes how much time and effort goes into the game.
What was/is the best part about being a Badger
The feeling I get when people find out I played for the Badgers. Its really a sense of pride to know that I started out as a walk-on and became only the second player in UW history to lead the team in punting 4 years in a row.
What was your favorite class at Wisconsin
One of the ones I teach now CS561 Direct Retailing.
What was your favorite part of campus Where did you spend most of your time
The stadium. It never got old walking in there. Other than that, probably State Street and the Union Terrace/game room.
What advice would you give current student athletes
Have fun and enjoy each moment. Take advantage of all the opportunities available and leave with no regrets. Work hard both on the field and in the classroom. For the majority, the degree and relationships acquired will be the basis of life after college. Learn from every experience. Be a good person.
Countdown to kickoff (Sept. 5)
- sportid=111&storyid=18340"> --> Day 60 (with links to days 100-61) - New season, new numbers
- sportid=111&storyid=18351"> --> Day 59 - Wisconsin featured on ESPN's 50 States Tour
- sportid=111&storyid=18366"> --> Day 58 - McFadden, Schofield and Graham represent UW at Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon
- sportid=111&storyid=18366"> --> Day 57 - One month until fall camp
- sportid=111&storyid=18373"> --> Day 56 - Badgers in the NFL: offseason edition No. 4
- sportid=111&storyid=18378"> --> Day 55 - Football 101 for Women
- sportid=111&storyid=18379"> --> Day 54 - Three and out with Mickey Turner
- sportid=111&storyid=18387"> --> Day 53 - Badger football twitter feed
- sportid=111&storyid=18392"> --> Day 52 - Tell us why you love Badger football
- sportid=111&storyid=18401"> --> Day 51 - Three and out with Jaevery McFadden
