Wisconsin shares awesome story about recovery and return of 100-year-old trophy

There are stories that make you go, “Wow.” This is one of them.

Wisconsin was presented with a cup during halftime of Saturday night’s game against Army at Camp Randall Stadium. But this wasn’t just any cup: It’s the only item remaining from the Phil King coaching era, which was from 1896-1902.

Read more about it from the Wisconsin Football Twitter. This is amazing.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Phil King coached the Badgers to their first-ever conference titles in 1896, 1897 & 1901. His 1901 team went 9-0 & outscored its opponents 317-5. Following the season, the team presented Coach King w/ a cup to commemorate the season pic.twitter.com/Mg11uPFNs1

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 17, 2021

Coach King passed his memorabilia on to his son, who lived on the North Carolina coast. In 1954, his home was directly in the path of Hurricane Hazel. The home was demolished and all of its contents washed away.

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 17, 2021

Years later, a fishing vessel collected several pieces of debris in its nets, including a scarred and blackened cup. Tonight, this cup, the only known artifact of the Phil King era, is returning to Madison.

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 17, 2021

The grandson of Coach Phil King, Phillip King III and his wife Carol brought the trophy back to Camp Randall today.

Thank you to the King family for this generous gift.

On, Wisconsin!

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 17, 2021