In 1999, Wisconsin Badgers running back Ron Dayne had an incredible season breaking the NCAA Division I rushing record and winning the Heisman Trophy.
Twenty-five years later, Wisconsin Athletics will honor Dayne during the UW football game against Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 am. which will include a special anniversary presentation by members of the Heisman Trust.
“Ron Dayne set the NCAA Division I career rushing record and won the Heisman Trophy and we are proud to celebrate the 25th-anniversary of that 1999 season,” UW Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh said. “That was one of the great years in the history of both our football program and athletic department. Ron was a unique combination of size, speed and power and he epitomized the blue-collar, hard-nosed style of football our team played. Along with my teammates on the offensive line, I am proud to have blocked for Ron and to have helped him and the rest of our team accomplish our goals. Ron is college football’s career rushing leader and no debate over whether his bowl game statistics count changes that.”
During his incredible career, Dayne broke the NCAA rushing record and finished with 7,125 yards – a total that is still unmatched in Division I history. A two-time All-American and two-time Rose Bowl champion, Dayne swept the national Player of the Year awards in 1999, winning the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award among others.
“The 1999 season was a very special year for me, my Badger teammates, as well as the entire University of Wisconsin family,” Dayne said. “I am honored to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of winning the Heisman and excited that all fans can join the celebration with this merchandise collaboration with Under Armour.”
The celebration of Dayne also includes the launch of a special merchandise collaboration between Wisconsin, Ron Dayne and Under Armour, according to a press release from UW Athletics, and the collection includes more than a dozen unique shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, pants and hats and will be available at retail outlets.
