I love Bucky. Hard stop.
While I am grateful to be an entertainment professional living in Los Angeles, one of my main passions is serving for the benefit of Bucky mascots. I'm honored and excited to help lead our energized team of mascot alumni to support the current students in the suit. They deserve more love. Ask me why

In 1997, I started the Greater Bucky Open (GBO) charity golf outing with the goal of giving back to Bucky student mascots. What started with 12 golfers, the GBO has grown into a weeklong event with a Bucky appreciation night, American Family Children’s Hospital visit, sold out golf outing with 144 golfers, notable local sponsors, a charity concert featuring Madison County and celebrity bartenders, plus a gameday tailgate. www.greaterbuckyopen.com  

Fun fact: In 1992, I was body passed up the student section during the Ohio State football game and was stopped & scolded in front of the crowd by Per-Mar security and a Dane County Sheriff, three quarters of the way up Camp Randall stadium (I was given reprieve the next day at the Police department once they saw the tape of me being forceable grabbed by students and dragged off the field into the crowd. They concluded I did nothing wrong, but they preferred that I didn’t act like I enjoyed it so much. Note, I really wanted to request a copy of that video but felt awkward asking for it at the time).

Hi There! My name is Sam Reding. I work in Boulder, CO doing pharmaceutical manufacturing for a wide range of companies. I was Bucky 2015-2019. In that time my Mom, Jeannice, created the endowment fund with Derek.

I have always been passionate about getting the student mascots a scholarship, so I joined the Bucky Badger Mascot Alumni Association. I am setting out to spread the words and stories of current and former mascots to bring awareness to the program.

A fun fact about me is when I retire I want to be a mechanic.

Hey! I'm Austin Gerdes, I currently live in Milwaukee, WI and work in healthcare. One of my favorite aspects of being a part of the Bucky Alumni community has always been the people! There is such a diverse, accomplished, and hilarious group of guys that have brought Bucky to life over the years. That's why I applied to be the Vice President of Member engagement!

Through this role, I really hope to strengthen the Bucky Alumni community. I hope to do this through our monthly alumni newsletter, hosting events, and providing spaces for members to connect. I'm especially passionate about making sure that new graduates from the team have access to personal and professional mentorship within our alumni community.

A fun fact about me is I have a dog named Poppy, who is a lab mix and is perfect.

Directly after undergrad I moved away from the great state of Wisconsin and spent ~8 years living in downtown Chicago. While down in Illinois I met my now lovely wife who is also an alumni of Wisconsin. Once she graduated dental school we moved back to Middleton for two years and recently purchased a home on the west side of Madison.

After my time outside of Wisconsin and being distant from the Bucky’s and the program, I’m incredibly excited to be treasurer of the BBMAA and to get more involved in supporting the current team. I’ve spent my whole career working in finance for Grainger Industrial Supplies based out of Lake Forest, IL and am currently the Director of Investor Relations. I look forward to opening bank accounts, creating financial governance, and watching the BBMAA succeed on it’s fundraising goals.

Fun fact: I have a West Highland Terroir named Gus!