Wisconsin's Top 10 All-Time Athletes

SI Staff | Jul 30, 2008

Wisconsin's Top 10 All-Time Athletes

Joe Thomas

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A three-year starter at left tackle, Thomas was a two-time All-America and winner of the Outland Trophy as the nation's best lineman. He started 38 straight games while also setting the school record in the indoor shot put before being picked No. 3 in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Tony Granato

Courtesy of the University of Wisconsin

The two-time All-America is one of just two Badgers to finish in triple digits in both career goals (100) and assists (120) and was a finalist for the 1987 Hobey Baker award with 28 goals and 45 assists.

Pat Richter

Courtesy of the University of Wisconsin

The last nine-time letterwinner in school history, Richter earned three letters each in football, basketball and baseball. The two time All-America at tight end and All-Big Ten first baseman led the NCAA in receiving as a junior and set a Rose Bowl record with 11 catches for 163 yards in 1963. He would go on to become the Big Ten's longest-tenured athletic director, serving for 14 years after an eight-year NFL career.

Michael Finley

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Before becoming a two-time NBA All-Star, Finley became the first Badger to score 2,000 points. His 2,147 points make him the 12th-leading scorer in Big Ten history and the only Badger to average more than 20 points per game in three different seasons. He was a three-time honorable mention All-America.

Red Below

Courtesy of the University of Wisconsin

A consensus All-America in 1923 and a two-time All-Western conference performer, Below started two years on the offensive line. Red Grange called Below "the greatest lineman I ever played against."

Mark Johnson

Courtesy of the University of Wisconsin

The top goal scorer for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team is also the top goal scorer in Wisconsin history, earning two All-America honors and Hockey News' 1979 College Player of the Year award.

Alando Tucker

Bob Rosato/SI

Wisconsin's all-time leading scorer passed Michael Finley with 2,217 points, also setting the school records for offensive rebounds (314) and games played (134). Tucker was a first team All-America and Big Ten Player of the Year in his senior season.

Ron Dayne

Richard Mackson/SI

Dayne broke Ricky Williams' Division I career rushing record with 7,125 yards, including 1,834 yards in his Heisman-winning senior season. He set Big Ten records in career rushing attempts (1,220) and touchdowns (71).

Suzy Favor-Hamilton

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One of the most dominant athletes in Big Ten history, Favor-Hamilton won nine individual NCAA titles including four straight championships in the outdoor 1,500 meter race. She was a 14-time All-America in both cross-country and track, and won 54 of 56 collegiate finals.

Alan Ameche

Sporting News/ZUMA Press/Icon SMI, Todd Rosenberg/SI

A two-time All-America and three-time All-Big Ten selection, "The Horse" won the 1954 Heisman Trophy after setting an NCAA record with 3,345 rushing yards and a Rose Bowl record with 133 yards.