In today’s college sports atmosphere of big money, big names and even bigger egos, it’s refreshing to discover the true heart of amateur athletics still beats within the college system. A place where draft status and signing bonuses are not factors affecting a team, where graduation is the sole affect on who is no longer with the team and where your greatest pressure comes from within the team and yourself.

Welcome to the world of college swimming. Welcome to the world of Adam Mania. Mania, a junior freestyle and backstroke swimmer from Hickman, Neb., is part of a small group of college athletes who don’t need to bask in the glory of the media spotlight. They just want to participate in the sport they love.

“I started when I was 10, and to tell you the truth, I never know why I started swimming,” Mania said. “A lot of my really good friends did it, and we did it all throughout high school, and it just kind of took off at the end of high school. I once had a dream that swimming was like football and they had a draft and everything and signing multi-million-dollar deals — it was awesome. But really it doesn’t bother me that much … it’s not too big a deal to have a flock of fans.”

The pinnacle of Mania’s exposure to most UW students came at a Badger football game earlier this year when he, with his teammates, stripped out of their warm-up suits and ran off the field in nothing but their swimming Speedos.

“I was the one with the pom-poms dancing,” Mania said. “Yeah, it was kind of [my idea]. Someone high above came and told us while we were lifting and said, ‘So, I hear you guys are going out on the football field, better do something crazy,’ so we kind of got together and decided. (But) it was a blast; it was so awesome being down there.”

Despite Mania’s obvious adjustment to the situation, he still hopes for a little recognition, not just for himself but for his teammates as well.

“A lot of people don’t know what we do here,” he said. “We’re here at the pool four hours a day; we bust our asses. I mean, we do it all for ourselves, but it’s still nice to get a little support.”

However, even with the lack of exposure and support, Mania has managed to amass an immense list of accomplishments over his two-plus years at Wisconsin, the latest of which is a Big Ten swimmer-of-the-week award for his performance against Indiana Nov. 7. Mania was a part of three record-breaking races against the Hoosiers at the Natatorium. It marks the second time in Mania’s career that he has won the award.

“It’s a little bigger deal this time, because it was in-conference this time. Last year it was for my rested heat,” he said. “It was nice to get it without having to focus on it.”

Mania started out his record-setting day by accomplishing a record split time of 48.89s in the 100-yard backstroke section of the 400-yard medley relay team. His record split time helped the 400-yard medley relay team break the overall record as well finish in 3:18.45. For his final act, Mania set the new mark in the 200-meter backstroke, finishing in a time of 1:47.39. Each of these times set new pool records at UW’s Natatorium.

Since joining the Badgers, Mania has amassed a collection of top finishes, including three top-20 finishes in last year’s U.S. National Championships. He also holds the UW record in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke, as well as the 200- and 400-meter free relay. However, his greatest accomplishment was qualifying for the Polish team in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

“Both my parents were born in Poland, and I had dual citizenship … I’ve always just wanted to go (to the Olympics) for the experience, but also I wanted to represent my heritage.” Mania said. “The thing is that U.S.A swimming has gotten so much faster. In my event, the 100-meter backstroke, the top-two guys are from the U.S., but in Poland right now I’d be the No. 1 backstroker.”

So while the majority of people continue to gather around their TVs and fill stadiums to watch the football or basketball teams, Mania will continue in his personal quest whether or not people know or care about it.

“To get a little recognition is nice. But it’s not too big a deal,” he said.

After a summer of filled stadiums in the beautiful Mediterranean and all the media attention he can garner, it remains to be seen if he will feel the same this time next year.