Matt Lepay has become a fixture on Milwaukee and Wisconsin radios through his work as the play-by-play voice of University of Wisconsin football and men's basketball. He is a four-time winner of the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year award. When the Badgers open the football season September 2nd at Bowling Green, Matt will begin his 13th season calling the games with Madison sportswriter Mike Lucas.
Later this year, Matt will describe his 19th season of Badgers men's basketball. All of this for a Dayton, Ohio, native who attended a Wisconsin rival, Ohio State. Lepay came to Madison in 1988 from Piqua, Ohio -- where he called high school football, basketball and American Legion baseball. We got Matt's thoughts on the upcoming Badgers season and his career.
OMC: From your observations of practice, what are the biggest differences between Barry Alvarez and Bret Bielema as head coaches?
ML: It is difficult to see many, if any, major differences between the two. Both relate well with players, both are extremely organized, and practices remain up tempo. Those who cover the team daily probably have noticed that Bielema doesn't appear tired of dealing with the media yet. For Alvarez, it appeared to get a little old by about the fourth day of training camp.
OMC: How do you see the Badgers replacing Brian Calhoun at running back? Is P.J. Hill the favorite?
ML: It would not be a surprise to see more of a tandem at tailback this fall. P.J. Hill has looked impressive so far. He is a big and powerful runner, but he has more speed that you might expect out of a 240-pounder. Lance Smith also has a chance to get some playing time. He is a true freshman, but he appears to have a knack for hitting a hole quickly. Another back who always seems to show up is Dywon Rowan. He just runs hard every time he has the ball.
OMC: Has Joe Thomas shown any ill effects from the injury he suffered in the Capital One Bowl?
ML: Joe has looked pretty good, but the staff is being careful with him in camp. When the team has a two-a-day, Joe will sit out the afternoon session. The medical staff is keeping a close eye on Thomas, as well as Jamal Cooper and Matt Shaughnessy, who also are coming back from knee injuries. All have looked good so far.
OMC: Will John Stocco be ready for the opener despite his minor knee surgery?
ML: As we do this interview, Bielema has just said he hopes Stocco will be able to play most, if not all of this season. My guess is barring any setbacks, John will be ready for the opener. I should emphasize this is just a guess, but Stocco is a tough dude.
OMC: Would Tyler Donovan be the guy if Stocco isn't ready?
ML: If Stocco can't go, it would appear Donovan would be next in line. He has had a very up and down camp, but to this point, I'm not sure Dustin Sherer has done enough to move past Tyler. The fact Donovan can be a running threat probably helps his cause. Both can make some plays, but both need to be more consistent.
OMC: Who will be the standouts on defense?
ML: The front seven could be quite good, especially on the edges with Shaughnessy, Jamal Cooper and Joe Monty. I think this could end up being one of the Badgers' better group of linebackers. Mark Zalewski(assuming he soon returns from his injury), along with Jonathan Casillas and Deandre Levy all run well and know how to make plays. They have some depth as well, with players such as Elijah Hodge and Jaevery McFadden. The latter is making the switch from tight end, and the transition appears to be going well.
OMC: You've had a chance to call Rose Bowls and a Final Four. Is there one moment that stands out as your most memorable?
ML: It is hard to pick just one moment. It is probably a toss up between the "Ron Dayne" game in 1999 and the 2000 Final Four run. I'll never forget the scene in Albuquerque when the Badgers beat Purdue in the regional final. During a commercial break right after the game, a group of writers passed our table on their way to the interview room. I made eye contact with Mike Bauman, who at the time was with the Journal Sentinel. We both just shrugged our shoulders as if to say "How do we explain this?" The '99 football game against Iowa was just magical. The star tailback breaks the NCAA career rushing record, the Badgers pound Iowa to earn another Rose Bowl trip, and it is 70 degrees in Madison on November 13... Pretty good day to be a Badger fan.
OMC: How would you describe your play-by-play style?
ML: My goal is to give the listener the feeling he or she is at the game, as close to the action as possible. Anyone who has listened knows I can get a bit animated, but above all else I just want to stick to the basics. In other words, even if someone might not like my "style," they'll keep listening because that person knows I'll give the score, the time and the location of the ball on the field or on the court.
OMC: I know you've had at least one opportunity (with the Minnesota Vikings) to go the NFL or NBA. What keeps you in Madison?
ML: Almost anybody who has been in the business long enough has had opportunities to move, or at least has had "feelers." Walking away from the Vikings situation a few years ago was the most difficult professional decision I've had to make, but it has worked out for the best. Besides, my wife and I really enjoy living in Wisconsin. My own sister keeps bugging me about trying to land some gig at ESPN. Yeah, right. I'd end up being the voice of Paintball or Championship Darts. No, thanks.
OMC: What sportscasters influenced you growing up or even now?
ML: Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, I was always a big fan of Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman. Listening to him really hooked me into this line of work. Although their styles might be a little different, I would say Marty is to Reds fans what Bob Uecker is to Brewers fans. Closer to home, I have long admired Wayne Larrivee's work. The first time I heard him calling a Bears game, I was struck by his detailed description of a game, and how he could speak in a rapid fire fashion yet be perfectly clear and in control.
OMC: You did some television sports anchoring for a while for Channel 3 in Madison. Did you stop because you had too many other commitments, or did you not enjoy it?
ML: A little bit of both, but probably more of the latter. I just didn't like it very much. I anchored the 10 p.m. sports for a year, and I got tired of giving up my nights, only to have a minute cut off my sportscast because the news anchors wanted enough time to do a "kicker" story about a three-legged rescue dog. Seriously, I have no regrets for trying it, but it just wasn't for me.
OMC: You went to Ohio State. Now you're such a big part of UW athletics. Was it an adjustment at first?
ML: I still get jabbed for my Ohio State roots, but that's OK. I just tell people I attended OSU because I lacked the test scores to get into the University of Wisconsin. I had a pulse, and that was enough to gain admission to The Ohio State University. There was a period of adjustment. My first year here was 1988, and I was stunned by the poor attendance at Badger football games. I was even more stunned by the team. Basketball was better, but the Fieldhouse was run down, and it was obvious the program needed a better facility. Now it's equally stunning how far UW Athletics has grown, and how lucky I am to have had a pretty good seat to watch it grow.
Later this year, Matt will describe his 19th season of Badgers men's basketball. All of this for a Dayton, Ohio, native who attended a Wisconsin rival, Ohio State. Lepay came to Madison in 1988 from Piqua, Ohio -- where he called high school football, basketball and American Legion baseball. We got Matt's thoughts on the upcoming Badgers season and his career.
OMC: From your observations of practice, what are the biggest differences between Barry Alvarez and Bret Bielema as head coaches?
ML: It is difficult to see many, if any, major differences between the two. Both relate well with players, both are extremely organized, and practices remain up tempo. Those who cover the team daily probably have noticed that Bielema doesn't appear tired of dealing with the media yet. For Alvarez, it appeared to get a little old by about the fourth day of training camp.
OMC: How do you see the Badgers replacing Brian Calhoun at running back? Is P.J. Hill the favorite?
ML: It would not be a surprise to see more of a tandem at tailback this fall. P.J. Hill has looked impressive so far. He is a big and powerful runner, but he has more speed that you might expect out of a 240-pounder. Lance Smith also has a chance to get some playing time. He is a true freshman, but he appears to have a knack for hitting a hole quickly. Another back who always seems to show up is Dywon Rowan. He just runs hard every time he has the ball.
OMC: Has Joe Thomas shown any ill effects from the injury he suffered in the Capital One Bowl?
ML: Joe has looked pretty good, but the staff is being careful with him in camp. When the team has a two-a-day, Joe will sit out the afternoon session. The medical staff is keeping a close eye on Thomas, as well as Jamal Cooper and Matt Shaughnessy, who also are coming back from knee injuries. All have looked good so far.
OMC: Will John Stocco be ready for the opener despite his minor knee surgery?
ML: As we do this interview, Bielema has just said he hopes Stocco will be able to play most, if not all of this season. My guess is barring any setbacks, John will be ready for the opener. I should emphasize this is just a guess, but Stocco is a tough dude.
OMC: Would Tyler Donovan be the guy if Stocco isn't ready?
ML: If Stocco can't go, it would appear Donovan would be next in line. He has had a very up and down camp, but to this point, I'm not sure Dustin Sherer has done enough to move past Tyler. The fact Donovan can be a running threat probably helps his cause. Both can make some plays, but both need to be more consistent.
OMC: Who will be the standouts on defense?
ML: The front seven could be quite good, especially on the edges with Shaughnessy, Jamal Cooper and Joe Monty. I think this could end up being one of the Badgers' better group of linebackers. Mark Zalewski(assuming he soon returns from his injury), along with Jonathan Casillas and Deandre Levy all run well and know how to make plays. They have some depth as well, with players such as Elijah Hodge and Jaevery McFadden. The latter is making the switch from tight end, and the transition appears to be going well.
OMC: You've had a chance to call Rose Bowls and a Final Four. Is there one moment that stands out as your most memorable?
ML: It is hard to pick just one moment. It is probably a toss up between the "Ron Dayne" game in 1999 and the 2000 Final Four run. I'll never forget the scene in Albuquerque when the Badgers beat Purdue in the regional final. During a commercial break right after the game, a group of writers passed our table on their way to the interview room. I made eye contact with Mike Bauman, who at the time was with the Journal Sentinel. We both just shrugged our shoulders as if to say "How do we explain this?" The '99 football game against Iowa was just magical. The star tailback breaks the NCAA career rushing record, the Badgers pound Iowa to earn another Rose Bowl trip, and it is 70 degrees in Madison on November 13... Pretty good day to be a Badger fan.
OMC: How would you describe your play-by-play style?
ML: My goal is to give the listener the feeling he or she is at the game, as close to the action as possible. Anyone who has listened knows I can get a bit animated, but above all else I just want to stick to the basics. In other words, even if someone might not like my "style," they'll keep listening because that person knows I'll give the score, the time and the location of the ball on the field or on the court.
OMC: I know you've had at least one opportunity (with the Minnesota Vikings) to go the NFL or NBA. What keeps you in Madison?
ML: Almost anybody who has been in the business long enough has had opportunities to move, or at least has had "feelers." Walking away from the Vikings situation a few years ago was the most difficult professional decision I've had to make, but it has worked out for the best. Besides, my wife and I really enjoy living in Wisconsin. My own sister keeps bugging me about trying to land some gig at ESPN. Yeah, right. I'd end up being the voice of Paintball or Championship Darts. No, thanks.
OMC: What sportscasters influenced you growing up or even now?
ML: Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, I was always a big fan of Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman. Listening to him really hooked me into this line of work. Although their styles might be a little different, I would say Marty is to Reds fans what Bob Uecker is to Brewers fans. Closer to home, I have long admired Wayne Larrivee's work. The first time I heard him calling a Bears game, I was struck by his detailed description of a game, and how he could speak in a rapid fire fashion yet be perfectly clear and in control.
OMC: You did some television sports anchoring for a while for Channel 3 in Madison. Did you stop because you had too many other commitments, or did you not enjoy it?
ML: A little bit of both, but probably more of the latter. I just didn't like it very much. I anchored the 10 p.m. sports for a year, and I got tired of giving up my nights, only to have a minute cut off my sportscast because the news anchors wanted enough time to do a "kicker" story about a three-legged rescue dog. Seriously, I have no regrets for trying it, but it just wasn't for me.
OMC: You went to Ohio State. Now you're such a big part of UW athletics. Was it an adjustment at first?
ML: I still get jabbed for my Ohio State roots, but that's OK. I just tell people I attended OSU because I lacked the test scores to get into the University of Wisconsin. I had a pulse, and that was enough to gain admission to The Ohio State University. There was a period of adjustment. My first year here was 1988, and I was stunned by the poor attendance at Badger football games. I was even more stunned by the team. Basketball was better, but the Fieldhouse was run down, and it was obvious the program needed a better facility. Now it's equally stunning how far UW Athletics has grown, and how lucky I am to have had a pretty good seat to watch it grow.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
