Passport
ABOUT
Bucky! Say that name in Wisconsin and both kids and adults alike know exactly who you’re talking about. It’s the Cheesehead version of Cher — a single name that describes a beloved icon.
Bucky! whimsically explores the history of Bucky Badger, his cultural impact on Wisconsin and his rise to something larger than just a mascot. Narrated by comedian Charlie Berens, Bucky’s story is told through interviews by those who donned the Bucky costume, the families of his creators and incredible footage from the past that has not been seen publicly in decades – if ever.
Bucky! is for everyone – alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, supporters of Badger sports and anyone who has ever called the Badger State home.
From the PBS Wisconsin Blog
Credits
Writer/Producer/Editor
Grant Fenster
Director
Jon Hornbacher
Narrator
Charlie Berens
Director of Photography
Dale Doebert
Gaffers
Jess MacLeod
Tommy Matthews
Additional Videographers
Brian Alberth
Don Cady
Ethan Freel
James Donovan
James Runde
Lina Soblytė
Mike Baron
Mike Eicher
Art Director
Katie Campshure
Production Artists
Terrance Volden
Brandon Ribordy
Archival Research and Clearance
Clara Wolfe
Project Manager
Samantha Nash
Sound Design and Mixing
Zack Sieger
Additional Editing and Technical Support
Tom Micksch
John Dachik
Josh Kappler
Additional Production Assistance
Kyra Lyons
Will Salzmann
Closed Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Makeup Artist
Kerrie Clark
Web Content Editors
Tom Micksch
Lina Soblyté
Marketing and Promotion
Mike DeVine
Video Promo
Heather A. Reese
Samuel Jones
Samuel Ewert
Connor Ciecko
Community Engagement
Andrew Carlson
Melissa Perry
Dulce Vlisides
Still Photographer
Angela Major
Operations
Marian Herzog
Kurt Kaspar
Digital Content Editor
Mark Riechers
Director of Production
Christine Sloan-Miller
Director of Programming
Garry Denny
Executive Producer
Nora Donaghy
Archival material courtesy of
Badger Sports Properties
Big Ten Conference
Circus World
Colorado State University Libraries
Michael Madrid – Imagn Images
Monarch Films
National Archives and Records Administration
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain Prairie
University of Southern California
UW-Madison Archives
UW-Madison Athletics
UW-Madison Office of Strategic Communication
Veritone
William J. Meuer Photoart Collection
Wisconsin Badger
Wisconsin Historical Society
WISC-TV
Additional archival materials provided by
Amy Johnson
Anne Sachse
Angelus Pacific Co.
Austin Gerdes
Bill Sachse Jr.
Brian Adam
Carey Federer
Deb Nicolaus
Eric Preston
Eric Tadsen
Jeff Miller
John Maniaci
Justin Doherty
Kelly and Johnny Sylvain
Kristin Gilbertson
Mary Young Sachse
Mike Koval
Nancy Gesell Huber
Patrick Herb
RoseAnn Donovan
SheboyganHistory.com
UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital
Music
Arranged and performed by the University of Wisconsin Marching Band:
“If You Want to Be a Badger”
“On Wisconsin”
“You’ve Said It All”
“Clicks”
“Run-On”
Landing page imagery
An early incarnation of the Bucky Badger mascot, in boxing gloves, in front of a crowd. (Credit: Daily Cardinal)
Bucky Badger showing the “we’re number one” sign during a football game at Camp Randall Stadium. (Credit: Stephanie Judge, UW-Madison University Communications)
About page imagery
Bucky chilling in studio at PBS Wisconsin. (Credit: Angela Major, Wisconsin Public Media)
Bucky Badger wears boxing gloves at a University of Wisconsin-Madison football game. (Credit: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the UW-Madison Archives)
Bucky dons a crown while in studio. (Credit: Angela Major, Wisconsin Public Media)
Special Thanks
Amy Johnson
Big Ten Conference
Bryce Richter
Cat Phan
Chris Hall
Derek Hildebrandt
Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
Dr. Corey Pompey
Family of Bill Sachse
Family of Bill Sagal
Family of Carolyn “Connie” Conrard
Gary Gorman
Graduate by Hilton Madison
Gwen Schultz
Henry Vilas Zoo
Internet Archive
Jason Weiss
Jerry Mao
Josette Jaucian
Justin Doherty
Katie Nash
Kevin Kluender
Laura Gallagher
Matt Lepay
Nick Skretta
Olivia Bratzke
Oona McNally
Patrick Herb
Paul Waggoner
Peter Kleppin
Renae Buchheim
Shauna Breneman
Tara Genske
The Daily Cardinal
The Kollege Klub
The Plaza Tavern
Turn Key Supper Club
UW-Madison Archives
UW-Madison Athletics
UW-Madison Office of Strategic Communication
Wikimedia
Wisconsin Historical Society
Very Special Thanks
The patients, family and staff of UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital and the Bucky alumni of the Greater Bucky Open
All the past and present Buckys who have brought pride and joy to Badgers everywhere
Follow Us