Joe was a two-sport star on The Hill during his career. As the Badgers quarterback and perhaps the fastest man on the team, his specialty was making long runs on the first play of the game. In his first game, he trotted around the left end for a 60-yard touchdown. The second game, same play, he raced down the field for 55 yards. As alternate captain, Joe was known for his beautiful punts, bullet-like accurate passes, speed, shifty running and defensive consistency. Indeed, it was Bilgere who saved the day more than once for the Badgers. Tight spots held no fears for him. He was equal to any of them. He was named to the 1931 All-SIAA team. Bilgere was also a standout third baseman on the baseball team and was under contract with the Mobile club of the Southeastern League. Joe was one of the greatest baseball prospects The Hill has ever produced. Joe’s 1930 Badger Baseball squad swept Wisconsin, Tulane, LSU and Loyola. In his last year, the Southern Conference Champions, Alabama, with their All-Americans, also dropped both games to Spring Hill.