By Diana Henry - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
MADISON (WKOW)-- It is homecoming weekend on the UW-Madison campus. We found one man who wouldn't dream of missing Saturday's big homecoming game against Minnesota.
Peter Christianson is 'Someone You Should Know.'
Peter Christianson's office overlooks the state Capitol building in Madison.
"I was always interested in politics," said Peter.
He keeps a close eye on what legislators are doing inside.
Peter is a lawyer and lobbyist.
"We have a lot of lawyers in the family," said Peter. "I'm the 4th generation and our oldest son is the 5th generation. He's a lawyer in Milwaukee."
Peter graduated from the U-W Madison in 1971 and then in 1977 with his law degree.
Like many other alumni, Peter has an unwavering affection for the school.
"This is the greatest place to be on campus," said Peter.
Peter and his wife haven't missed a home game in about 12 years.
But not too many Badger fans have this.
Peter, the Button Man, has 85 homecoming buttons.
"This is the 100th homecoming," said Peter. "The first one was 1911. I have the 1911 button."
Every button has a story. Like this one from during World War II.
"It's a paper homecoming button," said Peter. "During the war the metal was devoted to war use, so there is a paper homecoming button."
It was this smiley face button that started his collection in 2002.
"This was the 50th anniversary of the marching band," said Peter.
And, there's the one button that probably has the most sentimental value.
"My wife's late father that was his last homecoming on campus," said Peter. "He graduated in '37."
Peter even got this year's homecoming button just as soon as they were made and added it to his collection.
"This one I got on Ebay," said Peter. "A guy found it in a box a neighbor left out for the trash."
But Peter is missing a few.
"The missing years there may not have been buttons no one knows for sure," said Peter.
"Interestingly enough the University didn't save them," said Peter. "The Alumni Association puts on homecoming. They don't have anything that I don't have."
Peter is on the hunt for 15 buttons as old as 1913 to as recent as 2001.
"I'd be happy to take any they had that were wearing a whole in their pocket," said Peter.
So, head to your attic or junk drawer and see if you have any UW homecoming buttons.
What is Peter missing? 15 Years:
1913 1914
1918 1943
1944 1945
1970 1971
1973 1974
1975 1996
1999 2000
2001
Contact Peter at pcc@dewittross.com if you have any homecoming buttons.
