Are you ready for the Kevin Bullis era of Warhawk football?

                                                                         
UW-Whitewater football players and parents reported to the Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex today as Warhawk training camp is underway. The first practice is set for Friday. Thursday will be filled with team meetings and other administrative necessities.

I've read a couple of national publications and newspaper articles where the writer has implied that UWW's incredible success could be in jeopardy following Lance Leipold's exodus to FBS SUNY-Buffalo (NY) along with the majority of his Whitewater staff. It is the obvious story line in the wake of Coach Leipold's incredible 109-6 record in eight seasons at U-Dub-Dub including 6 NCAA III national championships.

The articles talk about the bar raised "Empire State Building" high for Kevin Bullis in his first year as head coach of the two-time defending national champion Warhawks.

Think back to early 2007 when Lance Leipold was hired to replace the recently retired Bob Berezowitz after 26 years as UW-Whitewater's head coach. It was the former Warhawk quarterback's first head coaching position.  Leipold talked about the winning tradition at Whitewater and the pressure of "holding up" the winning tradition at UW-Whitewater.

At his initial press conference on the day he was named Whitewater's 21st head coach in a program that dates back to 1895, Bullis also talked about UWW's winning tradition.

"It is an honor to serve UW-Whitewater as head football coach," Bullis told the gathering at Williams Center. "Following the legacies left by Forrest Perkins, Bb Berezowitz and Lance Leipold, I am humbled."

Bullis gets it. 
                                                         

UW-Whitewater's football program fuels its success by the motto, Powered By Tradition.

 Kevin's passion, integrity and understanding of the holistic student-athlete experience stood out during the search and screen process," UW-Whitewater  athletic director Amy Edmonds said after naming Bullis head coach. "Kevin understands the rich history of Warhawk football and the entire university. We are confident to continue our tradition of excellence both on and off the field."

Bullis’) passion, integrity and understanding of the holistic student-athlete experience stood out during the search and screen process,” Edmonds said in a release. “Kevin understands the rich history of Warhawk football and the entire university, and we are confident to continue our tradition of excellence both on and off the field.”

Bullis beat out four other finalists for Whitewater's head coaching position  While the others talked about football, Bullis talked about the importance of players excelling, not only on the field, but more importantly in the classroom and in the community.

Being of high character is extremely important according to the new Warhawk head coach.

Last year I was relegated to sitting in a wheelchair at Warhawk football games in Perkins Stadium as I battled inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer. Each game prior to kickoff, Coach Bullis would come over to my chair in the southwest corner of the end zone, shake my hand and ask how I was doing in my battle.  Several of his players would also come over to shake my hand following the games at the Perk.

Their effort might not seem like much to you, but it meant the world to me.  It is why I was inspired to launch my Voices Eye on Warhawk Football Website for this season. To let fans know more about who our Warhawk players and coaches are all about. Stories that deserve to be told.

High character, solid football is what Kevin Bullis brings to the table.  Get ready for an exciting season of Warhawk football - I know I am!

One day at a time!