The scene at Bascom Hill on a recent Tuesday afternoon seems normal at first glance. Young women lounge on the grass about halfway up the hill, catching some rays on a hot summer day. Not far away, two young men toss a baseball back and forth in an unsubtle attempt to catch the ladies’ attention.
Midway through the afternoon, the peaceful setting disappears in an instant with the sound of voices and the thumping of feet on the pavement. You can hear them getting closer and closer until they appear not far from Abraham Lincoln’s statue: four dozen UW football players, working through one of the more grueling days of their seven-week summer strength and conditioning program. A few hours later, after this group has passed, about 60 more Badgers appear for their turn at running Bascom Hill.