Pierce rebuilds famed "Bucky Wagon"

APPLETON - Just in time for homecoming, a local company is helping keep a University of Wisconsin tradition alive.

Fire truck maker Pierce Manufacturing recently rebuilt Madison's famous Bucky Wagon.

The 1932 fire engine has traditionally carried Bucky Badger and the boisterous spirit squad around campus on game days. But had become too dangerous to use.

It will be back on the streets starting Friday night.

"We're a Wisconsin company and it's very fitting that we're part of the UW-Madison experience right now," Senior Chief Engineer Bill Proft, with Pierce said.

Pierce volunteered to restore the iconic Bucky Wagon to its game day glory.

Madison cheerleaders have traveled on the historic fire engine since the 1970's.

But it's been out of commission since 2008.

"It was in a pretty, pretty bad condition when we got it, there were lots of years of corrosion," Proft explained

Former cheerleader Jessica Mielke was on the team before the wagon was taken out of service.

"We get up early in the morning and we travel all around campus, up and down State Street, around the capitol during the farmers market," she said.

Mielke says the Badger experience isn't the same without it.

"It's just a part of the pageantry that is Wisconsin football, game day is more than just a football game it's what leads up to the football game," former spirit squad member Adam Mielke added. "The Bucky Wagon has always been a big part of it."

Companies and alumni throughout the Midwest agreed. Many donated materials.

The UW College of Engineering and Pierce used those items to revamp the wagon and rebuild it from the ground up.

"We got just the bare frame rails and everything was torn of it so we literally received crates of parts," Proft said.

The wagon traveled from Appleton back to Madison on Monday.

It now has a new motor, hydraulic brakes and power steering, making it safer for the cheerleaders.

"The guys that have had a chance to be on it and can't right now, they miss it," Adam Mielke said.

And memorable for the fans.

"I think this is a perfect time during the homecoming parade and homecoming weekend to bring it back," Jessica Mielke said.

The homecoming parade will be the public debut for the restored Bucky Wagon.

However, Pierce employees showed it off to reporters Thursday afternoon.