Joel Amidon
Joel Amidon
Fall of 1998 - Fall of 2001
8 Man & Flanker
Biography
I joined UW Rugby to play a contact sport representing the University of Wisconsin. I kept playing rugby because of my teammates, coaches, and the adventures we had together both on and off the field. I am a proud to be an alum because of the awesome feats the club continues to do on the field and all the awesome guys, young and old, associated with UW Rugby.
Please share a fun fact about you or your favorite rugby memory.
My favorite memory is beating UW Eau Claire in the Fall of 2001 when I asked my girlfriend to marry me while faking an injury on the field. Thankfully she said, “Yes.” Then I ran back for the kickoff, while checking with her dad if he was okay with what just transpired. He gave me a thumbs up.
Is there a specific achievement or contribution you're especially proud of from your time on the team?
Coming Soon!
What have you been up to since graduating, or how did rugby impact your post-college life?
I am a Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Mississippi where I work with preservice teachers to learn how to teach, specifically mathematics. I believe my interactions with coaches and teammates have helped shape me as a teacher/professor. Specifically, how we got together to do hard things and grow together as a team.
Who were your most influential coaches or teammates, and why?
My most influential coaches:
Skip Heffernan, head coach, a guide on the side that worked to put us into the best position to be successful.
John Sandner, forwards coach, a wise man who convinced us that we were talented, we could win, and to enjoy the journey with your teammates.
My most influential teammates:
Kurt Hellman, my roommate and friend, who invited me to join the club.
Will Enright, my first captain, a leader who welcomed me onto the field.
Michael (Woody) Woods, my first president, who made a tough game fun.
…and the list goes on.
What advice would you give to current or future rugby players at UW-Madison?
Show up to all the practices and games and be excellent when you get there.
Contribute to the positions/roles on and off the field. Finally, leave the club better than you found it.
