2019 Impact Report

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME

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hen Kerry `82 and Tracy `81 Hafner made their commitment to UW-Stout last year, they knew it would impact students, but the magnitude of that impact was unknown at that time. For the Hafners, some of their fondest memories of UW-Stout revolved around football. Kerry was a standout tight end, inducted into the school Hall of Fame. Tracy and her friends went to every game, piling into her station wagon for road games.

Saturday, Sept. 28th the Blue Devils would secure a 29-21 win over Cal Lutheran. For the student-athletes this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to a destination they may have never experienced, building a deeper bond with their fellow teammates and experiencing the discipline it takes to bring home a victory when you are traveling such a great distance.

They also experienced how challenging travel can be as a hiccup with a connecting flight had them delayed 12 hours in the Las Vegas Airport on their way home. But in true Blue Devil style, the team showed their ability to overcome challenges with patience and positivity. Their attitude and ability to overcome adversity didn’t go unnoticed either, several emails from fellow travelers commenting on the courteous and respectful attitudes of the team were sent to the interim chancellor and athletic director the week following their return.

With an upcoming game at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California, coach Clayt Birmingham knew he had the opportunity to utilize the gift from Kerry and Tracy to give his team an experience they would never forget. On Thursday, Sept. 26, the team and its coaches loaded buses for the Minneapolis airport to begin their trip to California. Seven of the

“I can’t thank Kerry and Tracy enough, the joy this experience had on our student-athletes was priceless and our university is grateful to have loyal alumni like the Hafners.” Coach Clayt Birmingham

student-athletes had never flown before. Once arriving in California, they had a day to tour Hollywood Boulevard before arriving at the Santa Monica Pier for a walk-thru practice on the beach, followed by team meetings back at the hotel.

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