Polzin: How John Tonje became the unlikely star of a 'special' night at the Kohl Center
From walk-on to improbable star, John Tonje is living out a dream with Wisconsin Badgers
Tonje's unlikely rise to stardom
It was a night that few will ever forget. The Kohl Center was packed to the rafters as the Wisconsin Badgers took on their arch-rivals, the Marquette Golden Eagles. With the game hanging in the balance, head coach Greg Gard called upon an unlikely hero: walk-on John Tonje.
Tonje had never played a minute of varsity basketball before, but he was ready for his moment. He entered the game and immediately made an impact, hitting a three-pointer to give the Badgers the lead. He followed that up with another three and another, and by the end of the night, he had scored a career-high 15 points.
The Badgers went on to win the game, and Tonje was hailed as a hero. He was even given the game ball by head coach Greg Gard.
Tonje's journey to Wisconsin
Tonje's journey to Wisconsin was a long and winding one. He grew up in Minnesota and played basketball at a small Division III college. After graduating, he moved to Madison to work as a software engineer.
Tonje never gave up on his dream of playing Division I basketball, and he continued to work out and play in pickup games. Eventually, he caught the attention of Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft, who invited him to try out for the team as a walk-on.
Tonje made the team and spent the next two years practicing with the Badgers and learning from some of the best players in the country. He finally got his chance to shine against Marquette, and he made the most of it.
Tonje's impact on the Badgers
Tonje's impact on the Badgers goes beyond his statistics. He is a hard worker and a great teammate, and he has helped to create a positive culture within the program.
Tonje is also a role model for other walk-ons and players who dream of playing Division I basketball. He shows that anything is possible if you work hard and never give up on your dreams.
Tonje's future
Tonje is now a junior at Wisconsin, and he is hoping to play a bigger role for the Badgers this season. He is also on track to graduate with a degree in computer science.
After college, Tonje hopes to play professional basketball overseas. He also wants to start his own business and give back to the community.
No matter what the future holds, Tonje is sure to succeed. He is a talented basketball player, a hard worker, and a great person. He is an inspiration to everyone who knows him.
