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Wick lands third place at NCAA’s

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Barry Davis – Photo Courtesy of UWBadgers.com & UW Athletics

The last match that Barry Davis coached at the University of Wisconsin turned out a winner.

Day three of the 2018 NCAA Championships in Cleveland wrapped up on Saturday and Wisconsin freshman Evan Wick wrapped up third place at 165 pounds, clinching the finish with by pinning Lock Haven’s Chance Marsteller.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to be the last wrestler in college to wrestle for Coach Barry,” Wick said in his post-match interview.  “I love him so much.  He’s got an incredible passion for the sport, he’s very innovative.  A lot of the stuff that I’m doing out here I wouldn’t be able to do without Coach Barry, so I love him, wish him the best and will always be in contact.”

Davis himself, received a standing ovation from the crowd, recognizing his 25-year career at Wisconsin as he walked off the mat.

Wisconsin finished 17th in the NCAA Tournament.  Four Big Ten teams captured the top four spots in the final standings, with Penn State repeating as champs.  Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan finished second through fourth, respectively.

Wick’s only loss in the NCAA tournament came to Virginia Tech’s David McFadden, 3-0 in the quarterfinals.  Wick finished his first NCAA Tournament with a 5-1 mark.

Wisconsin wrestling coach resigns

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Wisconsin wrestling coach Barry Davis resigned on Monday, ending his 25-year tenure as the Badgers’ head coach.  Davis will stay on and coach the Badgers through the NCAA Championships March 15-17.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wisconsin,” Davis said.  “I’ve worked with lots of great people and many tremendous student-athletes.  This University will always hold a special place in my heart.”

A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Davis coached 26 All-Americans, eight Big Ten champions and three NCAA champions while at Wisconsin.  He was named NWCA National Coach of the Year in 2010 after leading UW to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA championships.

Davis is will end his time in Madison as the school’s all-time winningest coach, leading the Badgers to 15 top-20 finishes at the NCAA championships.

Prior to taking the head job at Wisconsin, Davis spent seven years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Iowa.  While a student at Iowa, Davis won four Big Ten titles, earned  All-America honors all four years and won three NCAA Championships.  A two-time Olympian, he won a Silver medal at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

 

 

UW athletic board puts the heat on a pair of coaches

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Mike Eaves

Mike Eaves

After tough seasons for the Wisconsin men’s hockey team and the women’s basketball team, the UW Athletic board voted to retain coaches Mike Eaves (hockey) and Bobbie Kelsey (women’s hoops), but didn’t extend their contracts.

Eaves contract expires June 30, 2019 and Kelsey’s runs through May 31, 2019.

Under Eaves, the Badger men’s hockey team finished 4-26-5 last season, the worst record in program history.  After winning an NCAA Championship in 2006 and making the title game in 2010, the Badgers have failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five seasons.

In effect, the board couldn’t reward Eaves with a contract extension after a season like last year.  Eaves also fired his two assistants, Gary Shuchuk and Matt Walsh.

Bobbie Kelsey

Bobbie Kelsey

Kelsey’s Badger women’s basketball team finished 5-11 in the Big Ten and 9-20 overall last season.  Since Kelsey joined the program, Wisconsin has failed to qualify for either the NCAA or the WNIT.

It’s safe to say the Athletic Board is looking for improvement from both programs or their jobs could be in jeopardy.

The board did roll over the five-year contracts of men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan and women’s hockey coach Mark Johnson.  It also rolled over the three-year deal for wrestling coach Barry Davis.

UW Athletic Board approves coaching contracts

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The UW Athletic Board met Friday afternoon and approved the recommendations of the UW Department of Athletics regarding contracts for

Mike Eaves

Mike Eaves

winter/spring sports head coaches.

There were some that thought Mike Eaves job security was at bit iffy after a slow start this past season.  But a fantastic second half finish and trip to the NCAA Tournament wiped away any speculation about Eaves future in Madison.  The UW Athletic Board extended his five-year contract through June 30, 2018.  Women’s hockey coach Mark Johnson also had his 5-year deal extended through that same date.

Men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan and women’s coach Bobbie Kelsey had their 5-year deals extended through May 31st, 2018.  Wrestling Coach Barry Davis had his three-year contract extended through May 31, 2016.  Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach Whitney Hite’s one-year contract was renewed through June 14, 2014.