by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

Hudson graduate Bill Nagy can remember the incident like it happened yesterday.

A little more than a year ago, Nagy took his moped for a spin around campus.

Moments later, something terrible happened to him.

Nagy, a redshirt senior offensive lineman on the University of Wisconsin football team, was struck by a woman’s vehicle after she ran a red light.

Nagy flew through the air roughly 40 feet and flipped twice before hitting the ground.

As a result, Nagy broke his ribs, wrist and foot and also injured his knee in the process.

Although the pain was almost unbearable, Nagy could breathe a sigh of relief. The injuries could have been far more serious.

“I was just thankful I didn’t hit my head,” Nagy said. “I was driving home from a summer workout in July. It was two weeks before camp started when we collided.”

Nagy couldn’t stand the thought of not playing football again. 

At the same time, he also learned how precious life can be.

“I was actually worried about missing the workout the next day,” Nagy said. “I was counting my blessings. Everything started to hurt when I tried to stand up.”

The timing of the accident couldn’t have been worse.

Nagy played eight games in 2008, which included three starts.

But the standout lineman never lost his faith. His passion for the game made it easier for him to recover.

“I knew I could play again,” Nagy said. “It was just a matter of getting the opportunity.”

One year later, Nagy may get that chance.

He said he feels “close to normal” and is anxious to be on the field when the Badgers are scheduled to play the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the team’s opener Sept. 4 at 10 p.m.

And he’ll have even more goose bumps when the team plays its Big Ten schedule, which happens to feature a certain team he followed as a child.

“Growing up, Ohio State had a great football tradition,” Nagy said. “My friends go there and my sister goes to Ohio State. It’s ironic because I want to beat them.”

At Hudson, Nagy also played baseball and basketball.

“Baseball is actually my favorite sport,” he said. “I grew up a big Indians’ fan.”

But Nagy made his biggest impact on the football team. He became a target for major college recruiters after finishing his career as a two-time All-Ohioan.

Now Nagy just wants to help the Badgers have a successful season. And who knows? A trip to a major bowl game sounds like a great way to end a career.

One way or another, Nagy refuses to take life for granted. He got a second chance and wants to make the most of it.

“I was very lucky,” he said.

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

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