Professional Alumni
DeAndre Levy
Vincent High School, Universtiy of Wisconsin, and the Detroit Lions
Born March 26, 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Levy attended Vincent High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a senior he recorded 84 tackles, five sacks, and four forced fumbles as a linebacker and 12 receptions for 260 yards and three touchdowns as a tight end playing football for head coach Elliot Lightfoot. He served as team captain in each of his last three seasons, twice earning squad Most Valuable Player honors. Levy was the Midwest Top 100 selection by Super Prep during his senior year. The two-time All-Conference selection added All-State first-team honors as a senior. Levy played college football at Wisconsin from 2005 to 2008. As a freshman he was listed as a reserve at strong-side linebacker, but made his most impact on special teams. In 2006 Levy took over strong-side linebacker chores, ranking fourth on the team with 50 tackles. He earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors, was named the team’s Player of the Game vs. Western Illinois, and also blocked a kick that helped the Badgers rank fifth in the nation in total defense (253.08 ypg) and second in scoring defense (12.08 ppg). In 2007 Levy started all 13 games at strong-side linebacker. Finished second on the team with 70 tackles (49 solos) and placed third on the Badgers with 10 stops for losses of 53 yards. He earned Big Ten Conference Player of the Week honors vs. Indiana and team Player of the Game accolades in the Penn State and Northern Illinois clashes and Big Ten second-team honors. His senior year Levy started all 13 games at strong-side linebacker. Ranked second on the team with 73 tackles (28 solos). He received All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention by the league’s coaches and media and was the recipient of the Tom Wiesner Award, given to a senior football player who most exemplifies the leadership and courage that Tom Wiesner displayed throughout his life. He is currently a football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Levy is a tough, young linebacker whose speed and physical play is an asset for the Lions’ defense. Competing for starting middle linebacker position in 2010 after playing outside as a rookie, he emerged as one of the league’s top rookie linebackers in 2009. Levy became a regular starter for the team’s linebacker corps midway through his rookie season. In 2010 Levy was the teams starting middle linebacker, and he played in 10 games and had 61 tackles (50 solo).
Chris Maragos
William Horlick High School, University of Wisconsin, San Francisco 49ers, and The Seattle Seahawks
Born January 6, 1987 in Racine, Wisconsin. Maragos attended William Horlick High School in Racine, Wisconsin. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year, team MVP, earned all-district and all-county honors, two-time team captain and three-time letter winner. His High School football coach was George Machado. Maragos also competed at state track meet four consecutive years, finished third in the 100 meter dash and fifth in the 200-meter dash as a senior. He earned all-conference accolades 12 times between football and track, Southeastern Conference Scholar Athlete Award as a senior and eight total letters in football, basketball, track and baseball. He joined Western Michigan football team as a walk-on in the fall and redshirted. Maragos started eight of 13 games played and made his Bronco debut and first career start vs. Indiana with two receptions for 22 yards. In 2007: he transferred to Wisconsin from Western Michigan prior to `07 season, but has to sit out all season as mandated by NCAA rules. In 2008 Maragos played in all 13 games, starting in six and appeared on all four special teams and was the holder for all field goals and PAT attempts throughout the season. He was ranked seventh on the team with 45 tackles (27 solo, 18 assisted). In 2009 he started all 13 games, led the team with four interceptions and tied for second with six pass breakups. Maragos received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten, UW Tom Wiesner Award, Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree, third-team Midseason All-Big Ten, AFCA Good Works Team, and team captain. Maragos was drafted in 2010 by the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. In September of 2011 Maragos signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Joe Thomas
Brookfield Central, University of Wisconsin, and The Cleveland Browns
Born on Dec. 4, 1984, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, son of Sally and Eric Thomas. Thomas has a business major, with an emphasis in real estate and urban land economics. He married Annie Nelson, a former Wisconsin basketball player, earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference and ESPN Academic All-District V honors (2004-05). He attended Brookfield (WI) Central High School, playing football, was Prep Star first-team and USA Today second-team, All-American offensive lineman, rated the fourth-best offensive tackle in the nation according to Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report, ranked among top 20 offensive tackles nationally, top 25 players in the Midwest, and was rated the third-best player in Wisconsin according to Rivals.com. He added Detroit Free Press All-Midwest, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first-team All-State honors as a defensive lineman and second-team, All-State accolades as an offensive tackle as a senior. He was First-team All-State defensive pick by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and Associated Press, Chosen 2002 WFCA Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 85 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior, and added 70 tackles and 8 sacks his junior campaign. He was three-time All-Conference selection in football, lettering four times, and also lettered four times in both track and basketball, captained the football and basketball teams his senior year and was a four-time Honor Roll student, in addition to garnering U.S. Army Academic All-American honors. In track, Thomas finished fifth in the national finals in the shot put as a junior and was second in the shot put and tenth in the discus at the 2003 Adidas Outdoor Championships, earned All-Conference, All-Area and All-State recognition in both the shot put and discus, won the 2003 Wisconsin state title in the shot put and discus and was the conference, regional and sectional champion in the shot put and discus during his final season, finished fifth in the shot put at the 2002 Adidas Outdoor Championships, placed third in the shot put and fourth in the discuss at the state meet as a junior, and was the sectional and conference champion in the shot put and discus that year.
JJ Watt
Pewaukee High School, University of Wisconsin, and The Houston Texans
Born on March 22, 1989 in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Watt attended Pewaukee High School and played defensive end and tight end. He also lettered in baseball, basketball and track; and he was state champion in the shot put senior year. In 2007 Watt attended Central Michigan University and then transferred to Wisconsin where he played tight end after being redshirted in 2008. Watt started all 13 games in 2009 and finished the season with 44 tackles andfour sacks. In 2010 Watt finished the season with 59 tackles, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Watt was the 2010 recipient of the Ronnie Lott Award. On April 28 Watt was drafted 11th overall to the Houston Texans.
Nick Hayden
University of Wisconsin, Carolina Panthers, and the Cincinnati Bengals
Born February 4, 1986. Hayden plays defensive tackle. He played college football at Wisconsin, and he was a sixth-round selection by Carolina in the 2008 draft. He spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad, played in 10 games with two starts in 2009 and played in 14 games with 10 starts in the 2010 season. Hayden signed with Cincinnati in December 2011.
Brad Thorson
Homestead High School, University of Wisconsin, Kansas University, and the Arizona Cardinals
Born October 30, 1987. Thorson played every position on the offensive line in high school. He played for Wisconsin as center; then transferred to Kansas where he played special teams and center. In 2009 Thorson started all 12 games, he was the team’s top offensive lineman and was named Academic All-Big 12 First Team. Thorson started all 12 games in 2010 and he was named KU Offensive Lineman of the Year, Academic All-Big 12 First Team, Academic All-District First Team, Big 12 Community of Champions Winner, and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee. Thorson signed with Arizona in July 2011.
Tyron Smith
Verde High School, USC, and the Dallas Cowboys
Born December 12, 1990. Smith played offensive and defensive line at Verde High School in California where he earned All-American honors, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass second team, All-CIF Central Division first team and Riverside Press-Enterprise All-Riverside County second team. In college Smith played left offensive tackle and special teams for USC. In 2010 he was first team All Pac-10 and won the Morris Trophy Award. Smith was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 9th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Danny Watkins
Baylor University, BC Lions, and the Philadelphia Eagles
Born November 6, 1984. At 16 he was a junior firefighter and went on to study fire science at Butte College. The school’s football coach recruited him to play for their team. He transferred to Baylor University and played offensive tackle. after their coach watched Watkins in one Watkins formerly played for Baylor University as offensive tackle. His professional career started in Canada when he was selected in the fourth overall pick by the BC Lions. Watkins was selected in the 23rd overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Jon Asamoah
Rich East High School, University of Illinois, and the Kansas City Chiefs
Born July 21, 1988. Asamoah attended Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois. He played for the University of Illinois on the offensive line. Asamoah was considered one of the top interior offensive linemen for the 2010 NFL Draft and he currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive lineman.
Butch Lewis
Regis Jesuit High School, University of Southern California, and the Kansas City Chiefs
Born December 1, 1987. Butch Lewis attended Regis Jesuit High in Aurora, Colorado. He was a 3-year varsity starter in football and as a junior he made All-State second team. His senior year he was a Parade All-American, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Dream Team, ESPN 150, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, USA Today All-USA second team, EA Sports All-American second team, Super Prep All-Midlands, Prep Star All-Midlands, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100, All-State and All-Conference selection as a senior defensive and offensive lineman at Regis Jesuit High in Aurora (Colo.). Lewis redshirted as a freshman offensive tackle in 2006, his first year at USC. He was switched to offense in fall camp after coming to USC as a defensive tackle. He was named to the 2007 The Sporting News Freshman All-American second team, Collegefootballnews.com Freshman All-American honorable mention and The Sporting News Pac-10 All-Freshman first team. Lewis was right offensive tackle and also appeared on special teams in 2008. He started 8 games and appeared in all 13 games in 2009, including on special teams. He made 2009 All-Pac-10 honorable mention. His senior year Lewis started at both offensive guard and tackle.
David Gilreath
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, Universtiy of Wisconsin, and the Indianapolis Colts
Gilreath’s hometown is New Hope, Minnesota and he attended Robbinsdale High School. He played football for the Badgers and was in all 13 games in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Gilreath has played for the Colts, the Rams, and the Bills.
Kristofer O’Dowd
Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona, University of Southern California, and the Arizona Cardinals
Born May 14, 1988 in Tucson, Arizona. O’Dowd attended Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson. He received many honors in high school: Parade All-American, EA Sports All-American first team, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, USA Today All-USA second team, Super Prep elite 50, Prep Star 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, and played in the 2007 US Army All-American Bowl. At USC he started at center as a freshman and was named First Team All-Pac 10 in 2008. O’Dowd signed with the Cardinals in July 2011.
Anthony “Showtime” Pettis
Born January 27, 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Pettis is a Mixed Martial Artist who competes in the lightweight division. He has been a professional MMA competitor since 2007. He is coached by legendary Kick boxer and MMA trainer Duke Roufus and a member of Roufusport in Milwaukee, WI. Pettis made his debut in December 2007 and he compiled an undefeated record of 9-0 in the first 2.5 years. He was the last ever WEC Lightweight Champion with his win against Ben Henderson on December 16, 2010. Pettis has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Daniel “Danny Boy” Downes
Downes is a Mixed Martial Artist born in Chicago, Illinois and is a graduate of Marquette University with degrees in International Affairs and German; and completed his internship with the Secret Service. He lived in Dusseldorf Germany and worked for the US Department of Commerce. Downes currently resides in Wisconsin and trains under Duke Roufus in Milwaukee. Danny is competing as a lightweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He turned professional in 2007 and has won all but one fight since his debut.
Follow Danny at twitter.com/dannyboydownes.
Kyle “Wicked” Weickhardt
Weickhart is a Mixed Martial Artist and currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has trained under Duke Roufus at Roufusport since the age of 16. He is a professional competitor in the middleweight division. He has won all of his MMA fights and lost 1 UFC fight.
Justin “The Fighting Fireman” Lemke
Lemke was a Mixed Martial Artist and currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has been active in Martial Arts for more than ten years, worked as a Milwaukee Fire Fighter, and has also served as a Law Enforcement officer. Justin has had extensive competition in Mixed Martial Arts and compiled a record of 8-2 during his three years as a professional. Lemke trained under Duke Roufus at Roufusport, but has since retired due to a neck injury that occurred while performing his duties as a fireman.
Joel Przybilla
Monticello High School, University of Minnesota, Milwaukee Bucks Atlanta Hawks, PortlandTrailblazers, and Charlotte Hornets
Born in Monticello, Minnesota, and attended Monticello High School, where he was coached by Max LaVelle of the Monticello Magic. He was named 1998 Minnesota Mr. Basketball. Przybilla played college basketball at the University of Minnesota. He left Minnesota during the middle of his sophomore season for the NBA Draft. Przybilla played for the Milwaukee Bucks for 3+ seasons, and played through the 2010/2011 season for the PortlandTrailblazers. February 2011 Przybilla was traded to Charlotte.
Brian Calhoun
Oak Creek High School, University of Colorado, UW Wisconsin, and The Detroit Lions
Born May 8, 1984 in Atlanta, Georgia. Calhoun achieved numerous honors playing high school football track and field at Oak Creek High School in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He rushed for over 5000 yards, scoring 82 touchdowns in high school, was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year, team MVP, All-America, first-team all-state, and was ranked the nation’s 12th best running back by Rivals.com. He was named the Track and Field MVP for four years and was a member of the 2001 Junior Team USA that competed at the World Youth Championships in Hungary. He finished 7th in the long jump at 24′.2″. Was a member of the Milwaukee Striders track club and competed at USATF and AAU sponsored events. Calhoun played at Colorado his first two years of college. During this time in Colorado, Calhoun was named the ABC Player of the Game against Nebraska University in 2002 and again against Florida State in 2003. Named the Player of the Game against Iowa State, Kansas State and was named honorable mention All Big 12. Calhoun decided to return back home and attend UW Wisconsin; he had to sit out the entire 2004 season because of NCAA transfer rules. Calhoun enjoyed a fantastic 2005 with the Wisconsin Badgers by leading the nation with 348 rushing touches for 1,636 yards and 53 receiving touches for 571 yards. His 22 rushing touchdowns were a school record and his 2,207 all purpose yards rank 2nd in school history. Became the 2ndplayer in Big Ten history with 1000 rushing and 500 receiving yards in one season. Became the 2nd player in NCAA history with 1500 yards rushing and 500 receiving yards in one a season [first done in 1991]. Calhoun was named to the Big Ten First Team, 2nd Team All-American by the Associated Press Sports Illustrated, was a semifinalist for the Maxwell Trophy, Doak Walker Award and blossomed into a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. Calhoun was named the MVP of the 2006 Capital One Bowl, after gaining 213 yards and scoring a touchdown in the Wisconsin Badgers victory over the Auburn Tigers. In 2006 he entered to NFL Draft and was selected in the third round by the Detroit Lions.
Justin Beaver
Pallmyra-Eagle High School, UW-Whitewater and Saskatchewan Roughriders
Born October 19, 1984. His name alone would be enough to garner recognition, but it was the running back’s on-field performance in Wisconsin-Whitewater’s 31-21 win over Mount Union in the D-III championship that’s earned him this week’s Dean’s List Player of the Week. A mere two days after winning the Gagliardi Trophy, given to the best player in D-III, Beaver ran for 249 yards and one touchdown to help the Warhawks end Mount Union’s 37-game winning streak and deny the Purple Raiders their 10th title in 15 years. (The last two of those titles came at the expense of UW-Whitewater.) Beaver was named the outstanding player in Division III football in 2007. As the running back for the UW–Whitewater Warhawks he set conference rushing records for the Warhawks and the WIAC. He was signed to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in 2009.
Nick Zeck
Nathan Hale High School, Lakeland College, Louisville Fire, Georgia Force, Chicago Rush, Milwaukee Iron, and Pittsburgh Power
Born January 27, 1983 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Zeck graduated from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, WI, where he participated in football, basketball and track. He was named First Team All-Greater Metro Conference as a senior in both football and basketball. Nick graduated from Lakeland College where he played football and basketball for four seasons. Zeck was selected First Team All-Illini-Badger Conference in football and First Team All-Lake Michigan Conference in basketball as a sophomore, junior and senior; he was named First Team All-Lake Michigan Conference in basketball as a sophomore, junior and senior as well. Zeck joined the Louisville Fire for the final 4 games of the 2007 regular season, played for the Rock River Raptors of the United Indoor Football League in the spring of 2007, in 2008 Zeck played for the Chicago Rush and in 2010 he played for the Milwaukee Iron. Zeck currently plays for the arena team Pittsburgh Power.
Gwen Jorgensen
Waukesha South High School, UW Wisconsin, Qualified for 2012 Summer Olympics
Born April 25, 1986 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Jorgensen ran track and swam for Waukesha South High School. She qualified for the Big Ten Swimming Championships from 2004-2007. In 2009 Jorgensen was the six-time academic All-Big Ten choice and recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, and the Big Ten champion in the 5,000m and 3,000m. She swam for three years at Wisconsin prior to switching to track full-time. Jorgensen also earned All-American honors in both track and cross country and was a three-time NCAA Championship participant in track and two-time cross country participant. As a standout runner and swimmer Jorgensen turned to triathlons after being identified by USAT’s Collegiate Recruitment Program. In her first triathlon she earned elite card with an eighth-place finish at USAT’s Elite Development Race in March 2010, in addition she also won three other running road races in 2010. Jorgensen was the 2010 USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year and Triathlon Elite Duathlete of the Year. She became a member of the USA Triathlon Project 2012 program less than two years after completing her first-ever triathlon. Jorgensen placed second, and had the best finish by an American woman in the history of the ITU World Championship Series, and claimed a spot on the 2012 United States Olympic Triathlon Team.
Adam Mania
Beatrice High School, UW Wisconsin, 2004 Summer Olympics
Born August 31, 1983 in Hickman, Nebraska. Mania swam for Beatrice High School in Nebraska and University of Wisconsin – Madison, he was coached by Eric Hansen. Mania was a Big-10 champion in the 400 freestyle relay, and a 13-time All-American. He was the UW Madison school record holder in the 100 & 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. He was the US National Champion in 2006 in the 100 backstroke and the 200 individual medley. Mania competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece for Poland. He currently coaches and swims for Schroeder YCMA Swim Team in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.
