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Still Golden: Why You Can’t Count out Golden State
By: Deanna Frater
SAN FRANCISCO– On Sunday afternoon the stakes were extremely high and the Los Angeles Clippers certainly rose to the occasion. In an overtime showdown the Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 124-119. With this win the Clippers were able to snatch the Number 5 seed spot in the Western Conference. On Saturday we didn’t only see a win, we saw the team deliver a resounding message, saying that they’re here for more than the playoffs, they’re here to shake up the league and make some noise.
James Harden was able to nearly reverse time, dropping 39 points total and dishing out 10 assists. His performance was nothing short of electric, shaking the stadium completely. Harden was the Superman of the game, scoring 12 points in overtime as if it was nothing. These points were what truly brought the Clippers over the finish line, allowing them to secure this win.
Though Harden was Superman, he certainly wasn’t surrounded by sidekicks. Kawhi Leonard proved to be a superhero as well, some may even say a silent killer, adding 33 points to the game. Ivica Zubac also pulled through, dropping 22 points in this matchup. The win brings the Clippers to an eight game winning streak. Now, they have a new point to prove: will they be able to maintain their streak against the Denver Nuggets in the first-round playoff series?
Though the Clippers were triumphant, it certainly wasn’t an easy win.
Stephen Curry scored 36 points, making the deep threes that he was hitting seem like a simple routine. Kuminga also did well, scoring 30 points and allowing Golden State to hold out until the very end. Unfortunately many missed shots were what left the Warriors empty handed on Sunday.
What we saw on the court was vicious but it also reflected a well-standing relationship between Stephen Curry and James Harden. During his press conference following the game, Curry reflected on the journey that led the two to tonight. He said “utmost respect and appreciation for who he is as a player, as a person. We go way back to even college days. We were All-Americans…And to know all the battles we’ve had. There’s just a lot of love and a lot of respect for what he’s done his entire career and the levels that he’s pushed it. It’s kinda cool to keep having opportunities to do it in 2025” (Sports Illustrated). In more ways than one, what unfolded on the court was the latest chapter in a legacy that is still being written by the teams and its players.
Now with a 48-34 record, the Golden State Warriors now sit in the seventh seed, starting with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Right now the Clippers have strong momentum on their side and they are charging into the postseason looking lethal.
UW Football Student Managers/Rusty Toolbox Game
By: Evan Engel
Every practice, as Wisconsin’s football players and coaches march onto the practice field, everything is perfectly in place. The cones are lined up, the pads are set, the footballs are neatly arranged. Drills run smoothly, the helmets are crisp and clean, and the jerseys are spotless. When practice ends, they head for the locker room, leaving behind a field littered with equipment, sweat soaked towels and jerseys, and the remains of another grueling training session. Yet, by the time they return the next day, it’s as if none of it ever happened. Everything is in its place, prepped, and ready to go.
This is the work of the Wisconsin student managers, the silent engine that keeps the Wisconsin Football Program running. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave, ensuring that every detail is handled so that the players and coaches can focus on the game. Their efforts go unnoticed and their names are rarely mentioned, but for one night every year, that changes.
The Rusty Toolbox Game, an annual flag football showdown between Wisconsin and Iowa’s student managers, is more than just a friendly competition: It’s a moment of recognition. It’s a chance for those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to showcase their football skills and earn respect from the players and coaches they serve.
The Role of a Student Manager
Being a student manager is not only about setting up and taking down drills and washing jerseys; it is a demanding and grueling job that requires long hours and a deep understanding of the game. Managers also have to balance higher education simultaneously. They arrive hours before the first whistle of practice, ensuring that every single aspect of practice is prepared and ready to go. Adjustments are made on the fly, as coaches often change their minds on drills and equipment as practice goes on. No matter what, the managers find a way to get it done.
For Nick Barry, a junior studying economics, being a student manager is something he has been dedicated to since before classes even started his freshman year. He earned the role of head student manager just after his second season. “We do a little bit of everything,” says Barry. “We’re part of the team in a different way. We might not be on the field during games, but we are there every step of the way.”
Similarly, Cole Trautmann, who’s pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, found his place with the team as a freshman. By his second season, he stepped into the role of special teams manager. “In order to be a student manager, you have to understand the game on a deeper level. You have to be able to put yourself in the mind of a player and a coach and think of problems before they happen.”
Wisconsin’s managers are also responsible for assisting position coaches, helping execute travel logistics, and aiding in game-day operations. During the season, it is normal for the student managers to work 40+ hours a week, with only one day off. Their work is critical, and though they receive little public recognition, the players and staff know how much they contribute.
The Meaning Behind the Game
The Rusty Toolbox tradition started back in 1991 as a way for the managers from Wisconsin and Iowa to compete for bragging rights and a trophy, the rusty toolbox. Over time, it has turned into a fiercely competitive battle, filled with pride and intensity that the managers look forward to each season.
“For us, it’s more than a game,” Trautmann explains. “It’s our chance to step onto the field and show our players and coaches that we have some skill too.”
Throughout the season, the managers dedicate their own time to preparing for the game—watching film from previous years, running drills, and even designing plays. The night before the official Wisconsin vs. Iowa football game, it’s finally their turn to be in the spotlight. While it’s technically flag football, the intensity is real: there’s plenty of contact—just without the pads. It’s not unusual for managers to walk away with sprains, fractures, and more than a few bruises.
The sidelines are always filled with friends, family, and former managers. Even the players and coaches will stop by to watch the game. Sometimes, they give their two cents on what they are seeing.
One such moment came when former Wisconsin Linebacker Chris Orr, watching from the sidelines, saw an opportunity to help. Recognizing a weakness in the managers’ defensive scheme, he stepped in and called for an adjustment mid-game.
“That was huge for us,” Barry recalls. “Not only did his adjustment help us, it boosted our confidence. It felt good knowing that we had some of our guys cheering us on and were pulling for us to win. I mean, we do that for them every Saturday.”
A Night to be Recognized
For most of the season, the managers work in the background, their efforts unseen by fans and the media. During the Rusty Toolbox Game, they take center stage. Under the bright lights of the indoor practice facilities, they make genuinely impressive plays, have unique celebrations, and hear their names cheered. It’s a brief moment –and a fraction of the glory their players and coaches feel, but one that carries deep significance.
“It feels refreshing to feel recognized and respected for the hard work that we put in each and every day,” Trautmann explains. “We might not be playing for a championship or headlines, but it sure is nice to be the one playing ball for once.”
When the final whistle blows, the managers return to their usual roles, ensuring that the team is ready for the real game the following day. But for that one night, they are not the ones just setting up the field; they are the ones playing on it.
And for them, that means everything.
Why The NFL Should Let The Tush Push Stay
By: Haley Cohen
The NFL is a league that is based on strategy and innovation. However, the league’s first reaction to a unique way that one team has mastered is to ban that play. That target is the Tush Push. The Philadelphia Eagles have been able to perfect this short yardage play. Instead of looking to take this play away, the NFL and various football analysts should champion the time and effort it took this team to master a play like this. This play is not an unfair advantage for a team. It demonstrates how powerful teamwork and strength is in a game like football. Taking away this play would be punishment for a team’s success.
The Tush Push’s main criticism is that it is boring to watch and bad for the game. But what is really wrong with this play? There is nothing illegal about it and it still keeps the competitive balance aspect of football in the game. Conversely, it represents a team dedicated to perfecting a play that really only helps in short yardage situations. The Philadelphia Eagles are successful because they execute the play better than any other team, not just because they run the ball. With the power of Jalen Hurts, who can squat over 600 pounds and their dominant offensive line, it is not that the Eagles have an unfair advantage; they just have great players who can make this play.
Another argument people have who are trying to ban this play is bringing up player safety. While this is an understandable concern, almost every play in football puts a player at risk. When looking at the Tush Push, these claims are inflated. There has also been no evidence published that the call puts players more at risk than others. When looking at the execution of the Tush Push, it is one of the more controlled plays compared to open-field collision calls. The play came to fruition in the early years of the NFL and if there was a real safety issue, the league would have outlawed it a long time ago.
Another narrative about this play is that it is impossible to stop. This is completely false. In a league full of superstars athletes that make plays that seem impossible, why is it unfair that one team is physically stronger and more technically sound than the others? The NFL has been around for almost a century, and innovation is something that has been a hallmark throughout those years. Defensive coaches and players can work on how to defend this powerful short yardage play, and offensive coaches and players can find their own way to be as successful in this play.
Issues Surrounding College Athletes Getting Paid Through NIL
By: Sydney Grossfeld
There is an ongoing debate surrounding college athletes getting paid through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the unequal distribution of funds. NIL deals have given athletes the opportunity to profit from their name, image, and likeness. However, athletes that play certain higher profile sports receive disproportionately larger deals. NIL contacts heavily favor higher profile sports like football and men’s basketball that tend to have larger audiences. This discrepancy leaves lesser known sports at a massive disadvantage. In addition, NIL was not permitted until 2021. Athletes who played college sports prior to NIL were not entitled to any monetary compensation.
In a larkmark lawsuit, House v. NCAA colleges reached a settlement, dedication to implement a revenue-sharing agreement. For the first time in NCAA history, schools will be able to directly pay their athletes. The NCAA would distribute $2.8 billion to current and former players. Football and men’s basketball players were at the top of the list. Players were receiving $135,000 on average. Women’s basketball players were allotted significantly less, $35,000.
There is no question that NIL has given power back to athletes, but the new system is broken and lacks regulation. This settlement is creating a tiered system within college athletics with high profile sports at the top. Rather than evening the playing field, NIL is widening the already substantial gap between high profile sports and less profitable ones.
What does this mean for college athletics? Programs are now scavenging to find the funds to pay back their athletes. University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director Chris McIntosh shared that “it will be critical for us to make adjustments in the way we have operated and to generate additional revenues through new opportunities.” In other words, departments are being forced to make difficult decisions; cutbacks disproportionately targeting less revenue generating programs could become the norm. While this settlement may be good for former athletes, current athletes are faced with the unknown as their sports programs hang in the balance. Programs that have already been operating on smaller budgets face the potential of coaches losing their jobs, athletic department restructuring, and roster spots shrinking.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the distribution of the settlement. LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne objected to the settlement, telling Eccker Sports that there is “a lack of transparency, inequitable distribution, and exclusion of athletes from the decision making process.” Dunne is among the top earners in the NIL realm, bringing in around $4.2 million. She is an advocate for underrepresented sports and the success they can bring to the sports industry. She believes it is frustrating for an athlete to put in the same amount of work as their peers and receive less compensation, or even none at all.
The traditional ideals of amateurism are now being challenged with NIL. While we await the final decision from a U.S. District Court on the settlement agreement we have to ask ourselves: Are college athletes students of their universities or employees? How do we maintain the integrity of college sports? Where do we draw the line between professionalism and amateurism?
Athletic departments should strive to provide equal opportunities for all of their athletes. This will inspire athletes from all sports to want to come to their schools. Rather than just being a football or basketball school, athletic departments can be most successful when they invest in all of their sports teams. The NCAA should strive to implement better regulations so that there is not another settlement case like this one in 10 years. And lastly, student athletes should continue to voice their opinions and stand up for themselves.