This week marks 20-year anniversary of "Camp Randall Crush"
MADISON (WITI) -- Twenty years ago this week, a Wisconsin win over a favored Michigan team led to an impromptu celebration at Camp Randall Stadium. That enthusiasm quickly turned to chaos and on Monday, October 28th, FOX6 News spoke with a player who went on to even greater heroics off the field.
"That was the big game. That was the big game of the year," Dr. Michael Brin said.
It was October 30th, 1993, and the Wisconsin Badgers had just upset a vaunted Michigan team, 13-10.
"It was the biggest game that I had been around," Brian Manthey said.
Manthey was wrapping up his duties in the broadcast booth that day. Brin, a walk-on wide receiver was on the field with his teammates and fans who came pouring out of the stands.
"It was celebration. Celebrating with our teammates. Celebrating with all the fans that were on the field and really getting to bask in the moment," Brin said.
"You could see a lot of the fans on the field celebrating, jumping up on the goal posts, trying to tear the goal posts down," Manthey said.
Quickly, that celebration turned.
"I looked over to the left side and John Hall and Brent Moss were trying to pick some people off that were pinned up against a fence that couldn't breathe, young girls that were screaming 'help me, help me,'" Brin said.
Fans pushing to get to the field were crushing other fans who were pressed up against the fence with nowhere to go.
"There were players that were resuscitating some of the people that were injured," Manthey said.
Brin was one of those players -- even performing CPR to save a girl's life.
"You look down and see someone who looks like they're lifeless. Again, it's that instinct. Do something. Do anything. Just do something," Brin said.
Dozens were hurt -- six critically -- but no one died in the incident.
"Looking back 20 years later, it just makes me feel really great that I was involved with a group that was so special. With people who helped shape my life and made me what I am today," Brin said.
Today, Brin is a doctor with Columbia St. Mary's. For him, this was a moment that changed his life and reaffirmed his dream of becoming a doctor. He credits the seniors on the team and the coaching staff for instilling the character that allowed them to help people that day.
Manthey, who was the team's play-by-play voice that season, credits that moment for solidifying the team who went on to surprise everyone winning the Rose Bowl against UCLA.