UW–Madison alumnus Dustin Morse ’01 represents a Minnesota team, but he’s still a Badger fan through and through.
“I’m an unofficial spokesperson for the university,” Morse says. “I was very fond of my time there, and I really feel like I became the person I am because I went to Wisconsin and ran around the streets of Madison.”
“I take a lot of heat being a Minnesota kid who went to Wisconsin, but I’m proud to say I’m a Badger,” Morse says.
Morse is the senior vice president of communications and public affairs with the Minnesota Twins. He covers baseball and business news and helps craft the story of the team. Morse, a Minnesotan, joined the Twins in 2006. Prior to his time there, he worked for the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and the Chicago Cubs as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“It’s my job to connect with our fans,” he says. “Baseball is America’s pastime, and it’s a sport that connects generations through its rich history. Whether you’re five or you’re 95, it seems like baseball is a universal language that everybody understands.”
Favorite late ’90s or early ’00s music?
I distinctly remember listening to Eminem and Dr. Dre at a lot of the house parties. And there was Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Master P, House of Pain, those were the party anthems.
Memorable late ’90s or early ’00s movie?
Dazed and Confused.
Favorite late ’90s or early ’00s tech?
Napster was definitely it. And I was kind of anti-cell phone. I didn’t have a cell phone until my senior year because you would just communicate earlier in the day and say I’ll meet you at Wando’s, but you didn’t really know if that was going to come together or not, but those were some of the best memories. You’d be with one or two of your friends, and you’d meet another group of friends, and you just showed up. You met people, and you were present.
Favorite UW–Madison memory?
The 1999 Rose Bowl. A group of us didn’t have a lot of money, but we found a way to get tickets. Then our tickets were upgraded, and we were in the end zone. And the Badger Blast prior to the game was amazing. It was something I’ll never forget.
What accomplishments are you most proud of from the last 25 years?
I’ve spent 25 seasons in baseball this year, and to get to 25 years is a big deal. I won the Robert O. Fishel Award, which is given to the top PR professional in baseball, and it’s voted by your peers. I felt lucky just to be working in baseball, let alone to be recognized for what that award means and stands for. And the 2014 All-Star game that we hosted at Target Field was a huge undertaking and a true gift to the community and the fan base here — to see the best players in the world perform at Target Field and to know that I was a small part of helping put that show on was a big moment.
How would you sum up your time at the UW?
It was a privilege being able to call myself a Badger. I just knew it was going to pay off for me; it was going to open doors; it was a conversation starter. I think the university just put me on the right track. You’re surrounded by so many bright, smart, successful individuals, and you just — you want to be the best version of yourself. So that’s what I think of when I think of Wisconsin.
