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Camp Randall renovation put on hold

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Camp Randall Stadium (Photo by David Stluka)

Renovation of the south end zone seating area inside Camp Randall Stadium is being put on hold temporarily.

The project was due to begin at the conclusion of the 2020 football season and open by the start of the 2021 campaign.  It is now more likely that work will begin sometime in 2021 with a target opening for the 2022 campaign.

“We are obviously operating in a time of great uncertainty,” said Wisconsin Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez.  “Given our construction timeline and the timing around when decisions had to be made, we felt it was best to be prudent and delay the project for a bit.  I have been thrilled with how strong sales have been thus far and I want to thank those who have already committed to purchasing seating in the new south end zone, leading to over 75 percent of loge box inventory being committed to date.  Once finished, this will be a transformative project for Camp Randall.”

Known as the CR Future project, the renovation will allow for a more interactive and engaging fan experience through enhanced seating options, including loge boxes and club seats, access to indoor and outdoor hospitality clubs, climate-controlled amenities, expanded premium food and beverage offerings and best-in-class service and operations.

 

UW making a statement with uniform logo

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Wisconsin student-athletes will be showing their solidarity with Black and other underrepresented communities on campus when Badger sports teams return to action.

UW Athletics uniforms will include a university crest logo with a black “W,” a show of support, inclusion and unity from Badger student-athletes, the UW Athletic Department and UW-Madison as a whole.

“I have previously stated my commitment to taking meaningful steps involving issues of diversity and inclusion in our athletic department,” UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said.  “There is plenty of work to do, but I am pleased we will be able to show our support in a way that is important to our student-athletes.”

Earlier this summer a number of current and former Badger student-athletes publicly stated their desire to wear the university’s “Crest W” on their athletic uniforms.  The “W” in the crest is white, but will be changed to black on Badger athletics uniforms.  UW Athletics officials worked with student-athletes to also include a black Motion W that will also have a presence on select athletic apparel.

 

Wisconsin not allowing senior spring-sport athletes an extra year of eligibility (AUDIO)

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Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez

The University of Wisconsin will not be allowing senior spring-sport athletes an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 closing down their seasons early.

On his monthly radio show Wednesday night on the Badger Sports Network at Learfield IMG College, UW athletic director Barry Alvarez said the NCAA overreacted in restoring a year of eligibility to spring sports students amid the coronavirus-related shutdown.

The university issued a statement on Thursday afternoon and it said, “The NCAA Division I Council’s vote last month to allow institutions to provide an additional season of competition and extend the period of eligibility for spring-sport student-athletes comes at a time of unprecedented uncertainty in college athletics.  UW Athletics places tremendous emphasis on its student-athletes earning an undergraduate degree and having a great competitive experience.  In the case of the UW spring student-athletes to which the NCAA’s waiver would apply, a substantial percentage of the student-athletes are scheduled to earn their degrees before next spring.  In spite of today’s [Read more…]

Cephus rejoins Wisconsin football team

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Earlier today, the University of Wisconsin revealed that Quintez Cephus has been reinstated as a student, allowing him to return to school.  As anticipated, Cephus has also officially rejoined the football program.  A statement from UW-Athletics said they are working through eligibility issues with Cephus before he can participate in a game.

The statement continued by saying, UW Athletics takes allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously.  We know that sexual assault and sexual harassment have profound impacts on college campuses.

“We have a robust educational program around sexual misconduct in place for our student-athletes and we will continue those efforts going forward,” Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said.

 

Wisconsin cancel’s spring football game

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Camp Randall Stadium: File Photo by David Stluka)

The weather forecast in Madison is calling for a strong chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Friday during the late afternoon and evening.  The Wisconsin Athletic Department has decided to cancel Friday’s Spring Football Game, which was set to start at 6 p.m.  The game will not be rescheduled.

“The safety of our student-athletes and fans is our utmost priority,” UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said.  “The weather forecast has been pretty consistent in calling for a good chance of rain and thunderstorms on Friday.  We thought it was best to make the call early to give the numerous groups involved in the game, including our team, our fans, our media partners and staff, notice of the cancellation as soon as possible.”

Fans who purchased tickets for the Spring Game in advance will receive refunds.  Those who purchased tickets with a credit or debit card will have their purchase automatically refunded.  No action is required.

Thomas calls it quits in Cleveland (AUDIO)

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Barry Alvarez says Joe Thomas is the best lineman to play at Wisconsin

Former Wisconsin Badger Joe Thomas announced he is retiring after 11 seasons in the NFL.

The 10-time Pro Bowler with the Cleveland Browns made the decision after spending several months contemplating his future.

Thomas had played 10,363 consecutive snaps before tearing his left triceps during an Oct. 22 game against Tennessee.  It’s believed to be the longest run in pro football history.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin native played for the Badgers from 2003 to 2006.  He won the Outland Trophy as college football’s top interior lineman in 2006 and his former coach, Barry Alvarez, said Thomas may have been the best offensive lineman to every play at Wisconsin.

Thomas was selected by the Browns with the third overall pick in the 2007 draft.

The Browns plan to enshrine the number 10,363 to recognize his consecutive snaps streak in the team’s Ring of Honor at a home game this season.  The former Badgers shouldn’t have to wait too long before he is elected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame down the road in Canton.

AUDIO: Barry Alvarez says Joe Thomas is probably the best offensive lineman to ever play at Wisconsin :19

AUDIO: Joe Thomas exemplified what being a Badger was all about :20

Alvarez named Athletics Director of the Year

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Barry Alvarez

Wisconsin’s Barry Alvarez was named a 2017-18 Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced on Monday.  Alvarez joins Whit Babcock (Virginia Tech), Joe Castiglione (Oklahoma) and Kirby Hocutt (Texas Tech) as the honorees from FBS schools.

The Athletic Director of the Year Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.

Alvarez is in his 15th season as Wisconsin’s Director of Athletics.  During that time, UW has won a combined 14 team national titles and 62 conference regular season or tournament crowns.

After this past fall season, UW ranked third in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, trailing only Stanford and Penn State.

Alvarez has been voted to the College Football and Rose Bowl Halls of Fame.  He was also voted into the state of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame (2009), the UW Athletics Hall of Fame (2010) and the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame (2016).

 

Alvarez’ CFP selection committee term is over

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Barry Alvarez

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith will take over for Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez on the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Alvarez has been on the committee since its inception in 2014 and is one of three members whose terms have expired.  He was one of 13 original members  when the CFP began in 2014.

The committee members met throughout the season to determine the best teams in the country.

Smith has been the Buckeyes’ athletic director since 2005.  He spent five seasons on the NCAA men’s basketball committee and served as its chair for the 2010-11 academic year.

 

Chryst is finalist for Coach of the Year

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Paul Chryst

Wisconsin football coach Paul Chryst, who helped lead the Badgers to a number-8 ranking and berth in the January 2nd Cotton Bowl, was named a finalist for a national coach of the year award.

Chryst join’s Western Michigan’s P.J. Fleck, Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre, Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo and Washington’s Chris Peterson as finalists for the Dodd Trophy.  The Dodd trophy is named after former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd.  The winner will be announced during the week of the Peach Bowl, which will be played Dec. 31 in Atlanta.

Wisconsin (10-3) won the Big Ten West Division title before suffering a 38-31 loss to Penn State in the Big Ten Championship game.

Former Badgers coach and current Athletic Director Barry Alvarez won the award in 1993.

The Badgers will face number-14 Western Michigan (13-0) in the Cotton Bowl.

 

Alvarez signs contract extension with UW

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Barry Alvarez

Barry Alvarez

University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez has signed a contract extension with the school that runs through January 31, 2021.

Alvarez has served as Wisconsin’s director of athletics since 2004.  He turns 70 on December 30.

According to the University, the extension went into effect on Sept. 1 and came after a performance review by UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank.

Wisconsin has captured 56 Big Ten titles and 14 National Championships during his run as athletic director.  Three of Wisconsin’s fall sports (football, volleyball and men’s cross country) are currently ranked in the top 10 nationally.