Just one season ago, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks marched into Camp Randall for their first-ever trip to Madison as a Big Ten program, and it was a sight to behold. Oregon, a flashy West Coast program meshing with the hard-nosed traditional Badgers, was exciting.
It was even more exciting when the Badgers did their traditional “Jump Around” break at the end of the third quarter.
Throwback to When Oregon Embraced Wisconsin’s Iconic “Jump Around” Tradition
With their undefeated 11-0 season on the line and just 15 minutes left in their Nov. 16 matchup against Wisconsin, the atmosphere at Camp Randall Stadium reached a fever pitch for Oregon as “Jump Around” blasted. The song, a staple of Wisconsin home games, sent the crowd into a frenzy, but Oregon was prepared.
All week, the Ducks had trained with “Jump Around” playing, not just to brace for the intensity but to turn the Badgers’ tradition into an advantage. When the song hit, Oregon players embraced it and bounced along with the Wisconsin faithful.
Wisconsin’s jump around tradition is so fire that even Oregon joined in 🔥
pic.twitter.com/JkHXef0VHr— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) June 9, 2025
Trailing 13-6 as the fourth quarter began, Oregon could have let frustration take over, especially after a tough night offensively. Instead, they leaned into the moment.
On the first play of the final quarter, Dillon Gabriel fired a clutch fourth-down pass to Terrance Ferguson, injecting fresh energy into the team. Moments later, Jordan James powered into the end zone to tie the game, and Oregon’s defense held firm to secure a 16-13 victory on the road.
Origins of Wisconsin Football’s Iconic ‘Jump Around’ Tradition
“Jump Around” by House of Pain, featuring DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, and Everlast, debuted on Jul. 21, 1992. Six years later, it became a staple of Wisconsin football.
Badgers’ former TE Ryan Sondrup talked about the Wisconsin Jump Around tradition with ESPN’s Jen Lada in a 2022 ESPN “College GameDay” feature.
In 1998, Sondrup was sidelined with a knee injury and was interning with Wisconsin’s athletic department. Tasked with finding a way to energize football games, he approached assistant athletic director Kevin Kluender with an idea. His suggestion was met with skepticism, but he was encouraged to brainstorm further.
One night, Sondrup and his teammates visited Wando’s, a local bar near campus. DL Erik Waisanen, who was bartending, had some extra cash for the jukebox.
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Searching for a song to hype up a crowd, they cycled through options like Metallica and Mötley Crüe. Then, they played “Jump Around.” They knew they had found something special when the first four notes hit.
The song debuted at Camp Randall Stadium on October 10, 1998, during the fourth quarter of Wisconsin’s homecoming game against Drew Brees and Purdue. The stadium’s energy was electric, and the tradition was born.
Kluender recalled how the song immediately stood out, while Sondrup described it as a night at Camp Randall that no one would ever forget. Since then, Jump Around has remained a defining part of Wisconsin football culture.
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