I don’t know if you remember, but when we first met, we weren’t exactly friends.

I was a freshman, starting in my third collegiate game in the one and only LaBahn Arena. Except I wasn’t playing for the Badgers then. I was playing for the University of North Dakota.

The night before I got the start, I was sitting on the bench for our series opener against Wisconsin. It was the first time I got to listen to all of you. You booed my best friend, Abbey Stanley, off the ice, all the way to the box after she took a penalty. I’ll admit, I was laughing pretty hard.

The experience from that seat is something I will never forget. It’s exhilarating being a part of the atmosphere that you all create inside LaBahn, no matter which side you’re on. So, when I found out I was getting the start the next day, I was pumped. But I was also a little intimidated.

A goalie’s main focus is obviously to not get scored on. But you really don’t want to get scored on at LaBahn. From the other side, the goal horn feels as if it’s shaking the entire building. Chants of “1, 2, we want more” rain down on you. The “Siv, siv, siv” chants echo off the walls and onto the ice.

It was no different in that game for me. We ended up losing, 2-1, and you all gave it to me all game long. When I was walking out through the West Entrance after, our head coach, Brian Idalski, said to me, “Next time, you’re going to be on the other end of that one.”

Picture taken from “the other side”. UND vs. UW on January 21st, 2017. UW won the game, 2-1.

It didn’t happen in the way we both were thinking at the time. But man, was he ever right.

Badger fans, you’ve all helped me come out “on the other end of that one” 47 times in LaBahn since my first start. I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything.

Some would say it’s a miracle I made it out of Grand Forks. I was 17 years old when I started at UND. I was considered to be a work in progress. The future. And on a daily basis I was chasing perfection.

I had a lot of things that needed to be perfected, though. Like driving my truck, for starters. Or not so much driving as parking. I got enough parking tickets during my two years there to wallpaper an entire house with them. And if I didn’t have a ticket on my windshield, I probably had a note from someone telling me exactly what they thought of my parking job.

I spent that first year redshirting, skating twice a day, lifting twice a day. I did everything I could to get better each day and chase my goal of becoming the starting goaltender.

The following year, I got my shot, although I was still mostly learning from the sidelines. I was hungry to become someone who would be relied upon in all situations. I wanted to be that person who, when the “in case of emergency” button is hit, everyone is looking at you.

But that spring, in 2017, our team at North Dakota got cut. I was shell-shocked. But I knew that wasn’t it for me. Abbey Stanley, my best friend who you booed off the ice a few weeks before that, told me something I’ll never forget.

“Kris, when you raise a national championship over your head one day, all the pain that this place has caused you is going to be worth it.”

That spring in Grand Forks felt like the end, but Abbey was right. It was only the beginning.

Abbey Stanley (Boston University), my best friend from North Dakota was at the 2019 Frozen Four to cheer me on.

The moment I raised the National Championship trophy for the first time in Hamden, CT.

I found out Wisconsin was interested in having me transfer there pretty soon after we got cut. It was the blessing in disguise amidst all the chaos going on. Ironically, I had previous contact with Wisconsin before even North Dakota, when I was still in high school, but things didn’t work out. So, this was my second go around with the recruiting process and Wisconsin.

I remember waiting and waiting for that call with Jackie. Everyone wants to play for Wisconsin. It’s such a storied program with a historic winning tradition. So, the day I first spoke to Jackie, I told one of my friends, “I don’t even need to talk to anyone else. I am going there”.

That first year here, my sophomore year, I would literally step on the ice at LaBahn and smile, every practice. It was surreal being a Wisconsin Badger. I would always just look around and be like, “Wow, is this really happening? Am I really here?”

On my first Badger game day, an exhibition against South Korea’s national team, I couldn’t have been more excited to hit the ice. As I prepared to skate up for starting lineups, I felt this sense of belonging. I was on the other side now. You all were cheering for me. I was maybe a little too proud of myself afterward – I think I saw two shots the whole period I played. But I was so proud just to play in front of you and shut the door.

I think I grew up a lot in that first season with all of you. I finally figured out a solution to all of my driving problems – by leaving the truck at home and getting a moped instead. More importantly, though, I grew a lot as a player. I became a starting goaltender.

We had a really good season together. We made it all the way to the Frozen Four. Of course, you know what happened next. Colgate ended our hopes of a national championship in double overtime in the semifinals.

Colgate bodies flooded the ice and I stood starstruck in my crease, not moving, not speaking, hardly even breathing – just standing still, with this raw, empty feeling. I could barely even feel my body weight under me and couldn’t process what was happening fast enough. All I knew was that I didn’t see the shot release, but I got a piece of it. It touched me, but it didn’t touch enough of me. The game was over.

The game winning goal in double overtime against Colgate at the 2018 Frozen Four.

I played “what ifs” in my head for a long time after. Annie Pankowski is someone who really helped me out of that. We were roommates for that trip, even though she didn’t play. She redshirted that year because she was supposed to be playing for Team USA at the Olympics, but she was sent back a couple months before the Games.

I watched Annie go through so many struggles, and still put her head down and get back to work. She always kept looking forward. We made a promise to each other that night that we would be back next year at the Frozen Four, and we would take it all.

That summer in training, we were finishing up a tough hour-long session of tempo runs. We were on the last set and you could hear the pain and fatigue in people’s voices. I was standing next to Grace Bowlby, and we just looked at each other and said, “Hey, here we go, this is another shot at double overtime.” Every single rep when it got tough that summer was dedicated to double overtime.

“Hey, here we go, this is another shot at double overtime.”

We used a lot of little moments like this to stay focused on the ice. That same summer I took a trip to Mexico with Maddie Rolfes and Maddie Rowe. Rolf and I went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean (and I am not exactly the best swimmer). She ended up having to pull a lot of the weight as we ventured out to touch the buoy. After we made it back to shore, she said, “Hey Soupy – if we can touch the buoy, we can do anything.”

We’d think of the buoy when times got tough. If we had to kill a penalty. If we were trailing in a game. Or if we were playing in a game when everything was on the line.

We would just grab on, trust each other and just keep on swimming.

Maddie Rolfes (13) and Kristen Campbell (35) walk back to the locker room at LaBahn Arena after a 4-0 NCAA quarterfinal win against the Syracuse Orange in the 2019 NCAA tournament.

“Hey Soupy, if we can touch the buoy, we can do anything…” Maddie Rolfes

That 2018 Frozen Four loss always stung. But it fueled us all to push through the tough times and eventually come out on top. This group was relentless.

That summer me and Annie started building our vision boards for 2019 – where you place pictures and quotes of where you’ve been and what you want to accomplish. I placed a picture of the national championship trophy beside People’s United Center on the side of my board, next to the quote, “Attract what you expect.”

We were expecting to be there. And we were expecting to win.

Heading into junior year I felt more confident and ready for whatever came my way. I had a rough start to the year, but I believed that was what I needed in order to prosper in the end.

We had all the pieces to make it to the top. We made it back to the Frozen Four, and then we made it to the national championship game.

I remember the morning of that game, the energy around our team was electric. Emily Clark was sitting beside me at breakfast. She just said to me, “How are you feeling, Soup?” and we both just gave each other this look that was more than words could ever express. We were ready to get after that fifth national title. I had no doubts in my mind that we were going to do it. And neither did anyone else in that room.

That game was the fastest game I have ever played in my life. It’s a total blur. That’s what they say when you’re “in the zone” – outside distractions become irrelevant, as does time.

Heading into the final 20 minutes, Coach Johnson said one thing in the locker room that stood out to me. He said that we need to do “whatever it takes for twenty minutes.”

I looked up and my eyes immediately locked with Clarky’s. We just smiled at each other. We were listening to that song before the game, and we’d already planned it as our quote for the day.

“We need to do whatever it takes for twenty minutes.” Mark Johnson

As I was walking out to the ice for the third period, I wasn’t even thinking at all. All I was focused on was getting the job done by executing, five minutes at a time. Before I knew it, I was looking up at the clock with the puck in the corner. Two seconds were all I remember seeing on the clock – then it was a complete blur.

Gloves, sticks, helmets, everything went flying, and I hit the ground pretty hard. But I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t even breathe on the bottom of the pile, but it was the best feeling I’ve ever experienced. When I finally caught my breath, I stood up and hugged every teammate that I could reach. The only phrase that came out of my mouth for the next five minutes was, “WE DID IT!”

Maddie Rowe (8) and Kristen Campbell hug and celebrate on the ice after their 2019 National Championship win over the Minnesota Gophers in Hamden, CT.

Before we won, I used to walk around Madison just thinking, “Wow, when we win a national championship, this is going to be quite the party.” So many of you made the drive or the flight out to Connecticut for that game. You packed the Kohl Center when we brought the trophy back to Madison.

I always knew that when we won, our fans would be there for us in the best way – and you were.



The 2019 National Championships take the stage at the Kohl Center in front of many Badger fans to celebrate on March 25th, 2019.

“I always knew that when we won- our fans would be there for us in the best way- and you were.”

I want to take a couple of minutes to tell you a little bit about some of my teammates. They’ve all made such a big impact on me, it’s hard to even single anyone out. But I’ll tell you a little about why this group is so special.

You just don’t find friends everywhere like I have here. Take Sophie Shirley, one of my best friends. I have a pretty serious tree nut allergy, and once when we were out to eat, I bit down on something really hard while I was chewing my salad. I spit it out, but we weren’t sure what it was. I was freaking out. I didn’t know if I should be using my EpiPen or not.

So, Sophie decided to taste it herself. A true friend.

It wasn’t a nut, though. It was a dried-up piece of gum I’d been chewing and somehow forgot to spit out. Soph, I’m so sorry.

Sophie’s little sister, Grace, joined the team this year, and it was a lot of fun having two Shirleys around. Grace now has the nickname “mini Soupy” because some say she’s a lot like me. She practically lives at the rink and is always rushing from place to place.

There is nothing quite like a Shirley Sandwich with a side of soup.

Sophie Shirley (9), Kristen Campbell & Grace Shirley (12) pose for a picture at Bascom Hill in September 2019. Grace just joined the Badgers and was embarking on her Freshman season at UW.

I know I already mentioned Annie, but she is like a big sister to me, so I’m going to mention her again. It felt like we were on a mission together for that national championship. She told me before playoffs last year, “Soup, you can put the team on your back and lead us to a natty.” It meant so much to hear that from her – even though it was really her who ended up doing it.



Annie Pankowski and Kristen Campbell celebrate the National Championship victory on the plane ride back to Madison.

Next is Lexi (Alexis Mauermann). Lexi showed me how to fill up my moped with gas, which was really nice of her, because I probably would have filled it up with race car fuel by accident (true story).

She is always such a ray of sunshine to everyone around her, which is really fitting. The day before we won a national championship, we listened to “Soak Up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow on repeat. We were looking for as many good vibes as possible. Even though we’re apart now, we’ve been having Soak Up The Sun Saturdays, where I FaceTime her and we sing our favorite songs together while she plays the ukulele.

Alexis Mauermann and Kristen Campbell “Soak up the sun” at the 2019 National Championship celebration at the Kohl Center.

Mekenzie Steffen was my roommate for the past couple of years, and we’ve been each other’s person to lean on. We can always count on each other to know exactly what to say when there’s something we need to hear. I wouldn’t have become a leader without her. She trusted and supported me through all the ups and downs.

Mekenzie Steffen (22) and Kristen Campbell celebrate post game at LaBahn Arena in 2019.

Last, but by far from least. Emily Clark. Clarky would write her initials on my stick every game with a little heart. She would always come up to me right before puck drop and just tell me to “Have fun Soup.” Sometimes I tend to get caught up and take things too seriously, so it was just a reminder from her to loosen up and enjoy myself. She’s the most genuine person I’ve ever met. I have seriously never heard a bad thing about her. It was honestly tough not having her around this year. But every game I continued to place her initials with a heart on my stick.

So, no matter where we were, she was always right there with me.

Sometimes I would ask myself, “What would Clarky say right now?” – the answer was usually the same three words as always.

Emily Clark (26) and Kristen Campbell share a moment together before puck drop of the National Championship.



As many of our teammates know, Brette Pettet and I really like to tell this story of a 2×4 piece of wood stretched up ten stories high between two buildings. It’s hard to make it safely across the 2×4 when you are focused on your fear of failing. Instead, you must focus on your goals, and starve the distraction of your fears.

If you choose to concentrate solely on the 2×4, you will get it done.

Before games, during games and after games, Brette and I would constantly lean on each other and remind each other about that 2×4.

The thing is, I don’t know if you all know how important you were to us and all the success we had.

You helped us walk across that 2×4 every single night.

Brette Pettet and Kristen Campbell celebrate post-game against Penn State on banner raising night with Badger Fans.

Young girls, young boys, adults, parents, grandparents. There are so many of you, from all walks of life. I’ve never seen a more passionate group of fans. You opened my eyes to what it looks like when women’s hockey is seen as important and valued by people.

Women’s hockey matters here. You are all changing our sport for years to come.

I had around 15 friends and family members come down for senior weekend. A lot of them made the trip down to see LaBahn for the very first time. And as always, it was more than worth it. People can’t believe the support we receive from the Badger community. It’s truly incredible and something that I feel so grateful to have been a part of.

I’m going to miss coming upstairs postgame and seeing you all – chatting, taking pictures, signing posters, everything. I am just going to miss it all.

It warms my heart when I get drawings, emails and text messages from young girls who say they want to be a Badger one day, especially the ones who tell me they’ve decided they want to be a goalie. I think sometimes you don’t even realize the impact you’re having on the people around you. I never even realized myself until I would look at these messages and emails.

I was always so fixated on the impact you all made on me. I could never in return be able to give that all back to you.

Picture taken with young Badger fans upstairs in LaBahn Arena.

It pains me that we never got to have an official goodbye. I have thought about playing my last game in LaBahn, in front of all of you, practically all season long. It was always in the back of my head: How am I ever going to be able to step off this ice?

But, turns out we never had to step away from you all. And we never got to say goodbye. So, I’m saying it now.

Some people say that when I threw off all my gear in the final moment of last year’s national championship game, they could see me letting go of everything that weighed me down for the last two years. It was a storybook ending, but all I knew was that this team, this group of people – we weren’t done yet.

I knew we had what it takes to get back there.

2019 was referred to by some as a “masterpiece season”.

UW finished on top of the women’s college hockey world at 35-4-2.

This past season was far from perfect, far from a masterpiece. But that is what made it so special. Even though it wasn’t always pretty, this team found ways to get the job done. And even when we weren’t able to, we found ways to use those struggles to grow closer as a team and be better the next time around.

And through all of that, you all stood by us and gave us the confidence and belief that we needed.

Before our NCAA quarterfinal game was officially canceled, we found out we would be playing in an empty LaBahn. No fans would be allowed in. But I received a text from one of our passionate fans saying, “We are still going to be at LaBahn watching through the windows…tell the team that there is a huge fan base tailgating and we will still be cheering you on even if we aren’t in the building.”

This is our fans in a nutshell. You will do anything it takes to help us win.

You are all so special.

Badger fans celebrate with the team as they complete a weekend sweep of the Minnesota Gophers in January 2020.

The next day, though, we found out our careers had come to an abrupt ending. The NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the pandemic.

As a senior class, we took our victory lap that evening anyway. LaBahn was quiet, but I pictured a full arena, visualizing the noise of the roaring crowd and all the red and white that floods the building game after game. As I skated my lap, I waved to you all, because I knew you were there for us.

You always have been.

There is no doubt that I would do anything to get just one more practice, one more road trip, one more game, one more round of “Varsity”, and just 60 minutes more with you in LaBahn.

But sometimes life throws you a fastpitch curveball, and if I’ve learned anything throughout my college career, it’s that sometimes you get smacked in the face with it. But afterward, on the next go around, you get to step up to the plate again, give it another swing and hey, who knows?

This time around…you just might hit a grand slam.

The University of Wisconsin was my grand slam.