Wisconsin men’s hockey has been a national name since the 1970s, bringing home six national championships. While legendary players and coaches have come and gone, the traditions that make the program unique have stood the test of time.
When Michael Leckrone — the former University of Wisconsin Marching Band director who served the Badger community for 50 years — expanded performances to basketball games, the hockey team wanted in on the action. Seeing the excitement the band brought to games, then-hockey coach Bob Johnson requested they start playing at hockey games too.
In 1970, Leckrone's first year, he was convinced to play a few times at Saturday hockey games. Soon, the band was a fixture at every Saturday night and eventually, the Friday night games after fans complained, Leckrone told The Daily Cardinal.
“Part of the reason I was hooked [was] because the crowd was so reactionary to what we did,” Leckrone said. “The [fans were] very vehement in what they cheered. The band started leading a lot of cheers that sort of became staples with the crowd and it just kept going on and on.”
The tipping point was in 1973, when Wisconsin won their first NCAA national championship. Johnson insisted the band play at the Boston Garden for the championship game, and after defeating Denver University 4-2, declared the band was an important element to hockey games.
“When we came back, the band was a fixture. I mean, I don’t think we could have said ‘no we’re not going to play,’” Leckrone said.
Before video boards and in-stadium promotions provided entertainment for fans, Leckrone recalled the leadership role the band had. A band member would stand up on the stage at the North side of the Dane County Coliseum, the Badgers former hockey venue and lead the crowd in chants. Leckrone said he couldn’t even explain how “wild” the crowd would get when the band started playing.
In the 1970s, the band was the main source of sound in the venue. The drum beat they developed to fill silences in the ‘70’s is now used when the hockey team has a power play.
“The crowd was so reactionary that I kept trying to increase what the band was doing. As I got more involved, I think the band got involved and that then fed over into the crowd,” Leckrone said.
In 1983, when Wisconsin secured their fourth national championship in 10 years, they gave Leckrone a ring, and he’s received one every championship since. He said he felt a “kinship” with the band, team and coaches. The hockey team regularly came over to Leckrone’s house for a sandwich buffet, and he would often go to Johnson’s house after games.
“I was made to feel like I was really part of that team, which of course, was very gratifying,” Leckrone said. “The good thing about it [was] the band felt the same thing. The band felt that we were being appreciated by the hockey team.”
The atmosphere of Badger hockey games is also shaped by noteworthy fans, including Phil Dzick, dubbed “the sweater guy.” Known for his iconic “One, we want more” chant, Dzick helped shape chants and traditions at games.
Dzick led the chants for four decades before Curt Tungsten — otherwise known as “Uncle Curt” — took over, following in Dzick’s footsteps. Tungsten loves to hype up the band, student section and whole arena. A season ticket holder for over 30 years and friend of Leckrone, his self-proclaimed job is to keep the rich Wisconsin hockey traditions going.
“I love to cheer on the Badgers, and keep the traditions going,” Tungsten said. “It just helps to get the people energized, which helps the players too.”
Tungsten has even spread his influence and cheers across campus to Badger softball games. After being recognized as the “one, two, three guy” at women's sports day, the softball team asked him to cheer at their games.
“It’s truly a Badger family, it doesn't matter what sport it is,” Tungsten said.
Clara Strecker is the state news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as copy chief. Clara has written in-depth on the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the 2024 presidential election and abortion rights. She will spend the summer interning with WisPolitics. Follow her on X at @clara_strecker.
