Senator Bielema? Hmmm. Maybe if he continues as successfully as he began, Wisconsinites will consider electing Badger football coach Bret Bielema to public office. For now, though, I think Bret was happy just to join four of his former players downtown this morning.

Bielema, along with former DL Joe Monty, OL Joe Thomas, DB Joe Stellmacher and LB Mark Zalewski (all seniors from the 2006 UW football team), spent Tuesday morning at the State Capitol where the Badger football team, and Thomas in particular, were honored.

Joint Senate Resolution Nos. 8 and 12, respectively, recognized the accomplishments of the 2006 Wisconsin football team and Thomas, a 2006 consensus All-American and UW’s first Outland Trophy winner. Bielema, the 2006 Big Ten Coach of the Year, guided the Badgers to a school-record 12-1 mark and a Capital One Bowl win over Arkansas.

Following a standing ovation, Bielema addressed the Senate briefly, thanking legislators for supporting the football program and the university.

During their morning visiting the state’s legislators, Bielema and his former team captains met with Sen. Ted Kanavas, who represents Thomas’s hometown of Brookfield; Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen; Sen. Fred Risser, who represents the Madison area; and Speaker Michael Huebsch, among many others.