Tag: rashard griffith

Today is a graduation day 25 years in the making for former Wisconsin star Rashard Griffith

As Wisconsin student-athletes celebrate their graduation day from wherever they may be, a player that last played for Wisconsin in 1995 celebrates along with them. Rashard Griffith, 25 years after he last put on a Badger uniform, is now a Wisconsin …

As Wisconsin student-athletes celebrate their graduation day from wherever they may be, a player that last played for Wisconsin in 1995 celebrates along with them. Rashard Griffith, 25 years after he last put on a Badger uniform, is now a Wisconsin graduate.

After a standout Chicago high school career at King, Griffith arrived at UW in 1993. During 51 games as a Badger, the Illinois native averaged a near double-double with 15.6 points and almost ten boards. In 1995, the Badger star left school early to pursue his professional career. He was drafted in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks, but ended up finding his niche overseas. Through a decorated 15-year career abroad, the former Badger played in Israel, Italy, and Turkey among other countries. Griffith won the top basketball prize outside of the NBA when his Bologna team won the EuroLeague in 2001.

Griffith made a promise to his late mother that he would eventually finish school and earn his degree. According to a recent Chicago Tribune article by Teddy Greenstein, Griffith worked closely with Athletic Director Barry Alvarez to create a graduation plan. UW has a policy that any athlete can return to school to finish their degree without any financial burden, and the former Badger big man was able to earn his degree free of charge.

The road has been long and hard, but today the Badger big man earns the fruits of his labor. Earlier this season, Griffith was able to participate in Wisconsin’s senior night along with current Badgers (although now former) Brevin Pritzl and Michael Ballard.

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The former Wisconsin star has been dealing with the tragedy that undertook Wisconsin assistant coach and his close friend Howard Moore throughout this year. Griffith has been there for the Moore family after Coach Moore’s daughter and wife were tragically taken in a car accident this past summer. A fantastic piece by Mike Lucas of UWBadgers.com details how Moore and his family made sure Griffith finished out his schooling, even after the tragedy took place.

Griffith has received national notoriety for his accomplishment under the circumstances he faced, including a special shoutout from SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt.

Now, on this graduation day for Wisconsin’s class of 2020, Griffith joins his Badger family in earning his degree in community and non-profit leadership 25 years after he last played at the Kohl Center. Congratulations to Rashard Griffith and the rest of the Badger class of 2020.

 

 

Ten Badger Moments: Rashard Griffith gets the senior night he deserves

In this series, I want to look back on the memorable moments that defined the 2019-20 Badgers. This will not be a top-10 ranking of the best moments of the season from 10-1. Instead, I will go chronologically through the year and find ten moments …

In this series, I want to look back on the memorable moments that defined the 2019-20 Badgers. This will not be a top-10 ranking of the best moments of the season from 10-1. Instead, I will go chronologically through the year and find ten moments that made 2019-20 unforgettable for Wisconsin basketball. Each moment will be accompanied by a word that describes this 2019-20 Badger basketball team, and in this installment, that word is the NCAA’s favorite phrase: student-athlete.

When the Badgers played host to the Northwestern Wildcats on March 4th, senior night was the story. Wisconsin was expected to handle the cellar-dwelling Cats, and did with a commanding 15-point win. The highlight of the night was before the game, when Brevin Pritzl and Michael Ballard were honored on senior night. Joining the two current Badgers was a player who had not been on the Kohl Center floor in more than two decades. Rashard Griffith, who played for the Badgers from 1993-1995, left after his junior season to turn pro. Recently, he fulfilled a promise made to his mother and finished his degree at UW. Wisconsin gave him the opportunity to have the senior night that never was. The 6-11, 45-year old ran out of the tunnel onto the Kohl Center court for a celebration that was over 25 years in the making.

NCAA Basketball: Northwestern at Wisconsin
Mar 4, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers senior guard Brevin Pritzl (1) and head coach Greg Gard shake hands in pre-game festivities on senior night before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

It not only was the fulfillment of Griffith’s promise to his mother, but also an example of what this Wisconsin program stands for. Academics and a well-rounded college experience are essential to the Wisconsin way.