Oct. 20, 2012
MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department in conjunction with Oscar Mayer is pleased to announce Tony Sparacino of West Allis, Wis., as today’s Wisconsin Football Season Ticket Holder of the Game.
Celebrating his 87th birthday Friday, Tony fell in love with the Badgers when he attended his first game at Camp Randall at age 13. His dad took him to see the Badgers face Marquette on Oct. 1, 1938. That day the Badgers shut out the Warriors 27-0 and gained a life-long fan and supporter. Tony secured season tickets in 1957 and is now in his 55th year of having Badger football season tickets.
A former firefighter, Tony takes great pride in bringing family, friends and old firefighter buddies to games so they could experience the magic of Badger football. In his 55-year span as a season ticket holder, Tony has only missed an unbelievable three home games.
One of his favorite memories was bringing his entire family to the 1994 Rose Bowl. He has also made treks with his family and friends to watch the Badgers in Oregon, Texas, California, Florida, and even to Tokyo, Japan.
In the late 1990s, he had the unique opportunity to be a honorary coach at the spring game and was able to watch from the sidelines during a blizzard that happened that day. After that experience, he wrote to then-head coach Barry Alvarez thanking him for the opportunity. Coach Alvarez personally wrote back saying he “truly is a Badger fan.”
As part of being named the Season Ticket Holder of the Game, Tony will receive a reserved parking space and tailgate spread courtesy of Oscar Mayer. In addition he will be recognized on the field during today’s game vs. Minnesota.
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department is pleased to join Oscar Mayer in saluting Tony Sparacino as this week’s Season Ticket Holder of the Game.
