Multi-sport athlete will be preferred walk-on for defense
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Browns Lake resident Hegeman Tiedt is fulfilling a lifelong dream this week.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound menace to opposing quarterbacks will be taking his football talents to the University of Wisconsin to play for the Badgers.
A five-month recruitment process featuring several campus visits culminated last weekend with the 18-year-old’s decision to commit as a preferred walk-on.
Tiedt signed on the dotted line Wednesday afternoon at Burlington High School with family by his side.
“I’m absolutely honored even to get a chance to play for Wisconsin,” Tiedt said Tuesday night. “I’ve wanted to play for them since I was a young kid. The coaches and players have treated me like family.”
Tiedt said none of this would be possible without the unconditional support of his large family.
Heidi, his mom, Darin, his dad, and four brothers have attended Hegeman’s football and wrestling events throughout the years, and Hegeman said making them proud is something he’s always strived to do.
“There’s no way I’ll ever express how thankful I am,” Hegeman said. “They’ve given me enormous amounts of support.”
Hegeman’s older brother, Cru, also attended the University of Wisconsin, and Darin is a former college wrestler and has coached Hegeman throughout the years.
Uphill climb
As a preferred walk-on, Tiedt isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, and there is no scholarship money. But Hegeman, whom his mother said “works very hard at everything he does,” isn’t a stranger to adversity.
In April 2014, Darin suffered a pair of strokes and became paralyzed on his left side. Now, Darin is walking with the help of a cane after lots of rehab and therapy, and Hegeman said he is doing well.
Darin still doesn’t have movement in his left arm.
The experience has helped Hegeman feel like he can conquer anything.
“I went through a lot of changes when my father had his strokes,” Hegeman said. “But the community rallied around us, and it was a positive experience. My dad is one of my major motivations.”
Icing on the cake
Back in September, Hegeman was coming off an all-conference junior season at defensive end for the Burlington Demons and was dominating opponents to begin his senior season.
He received an email from Wisconsin Badgers recruiter Andrew Marlatt, who invited Hegeman to take a series of unofficial visits.
“He said he saw my highlight tape and was impressed,” Hegeman said. “When you’re a kid, the Badgers are your idols. I was so proud.”
Hegeman took the vote of confidence and ran through the Southern Lakes Conference, as he tallied seven sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 94 tackles in nine games.
Hegeman credited Burlington line coach Griffin McLaughlin for staying after practice and running extra drills with him. He played defense primarily, but played offensive line toward the end of the season and excelled.
Hegeman earned All-Region and first-team All-Conference as well as All-County honors for his breakout senior season.
Off the field, Hegeman went on three unofficial visits to Camp Randall Stadium, where he watched his future teammates play on Saturdays.
He got a chance to meet some Wisconsin coaches and other recruits.
With interest from several other Division 1, 2 and 3 schools, it was getting to be crunch time last weekend with National Signing Day approaching Feb. 3.
Hegeman’s official visit began Saturday morning where he was reintroduced to all the coaches and met head coach Paul Chryst for the first time. With his parents at his side, Hegeman went on both an athletic and an academic tour.
“The official visit was the icing on the cake,” Hegeman said. “It was a humbling moment.”
Then, Hegeman was escorted through campus and downtown Madison, including State Street, by two current Badger players, including Alec Ingold, who wrestled against Hegeman two years ago.
“I saw their dorms, which were very nice, and I was treated like family,” Hegeman said. “It was an overall great feeling. They were very honest and straight-forward, and I never felt uncomfortable.”
Willing to do whatever
Heidi Tiedt said the entire recruitment experience was amazing, and she said the family is grateful for this opportunity.
“We have always told him that if he puts his mind to it, he can do anything, and that’s exactly what he did,” she said Tuesday. “He has been going to Badger games since he was 5 years old, and now to have the opportunity to be a part of the team, it’s incredible.”
“We are so grateful for this incredible opportunity, and we can not thank all of Hegeman’s coaches (football, wrestling, and rugby) and mentors along the way. It would be impossible to thank them all, but Heg knows that it’s because of the ongoing coaching and encouragement that made this possible.”
Currently, Hegeman is wrapping up his firefighter certification thanks to the Explorer program provided by the City of Burlington Fire Department.
His grandfather was a firefighter, and he said he wouldn’t mind being a firefighter some day, but he isn’t yet sure what he will major in.
Hegeman has a few months until June, when he will move to Madison for summer training. In the meantime, he’s ranked seventh in the state in wrestling at 220 pounds, and his postseason run will begin next week.
“I tend to get a little mat sick, so I’m sure I’ll find a way to wrestle a little after high school,” he said.
Football will be his priority soon enough, and Hegeman can’t wait to give his all to the Badgers.
“I’m very excited to start contributing in any way,” he said. “I’m looking to put on a lot more muscle and gain more quickness.”
Hegeman said he could be playing both defensive end and defensive tackle.
No matter his role, it’s a safe bet Heidi, Darin, Cru, Malik, Zeke and Porter will be the ones cheering him the loudest from the stands.
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