The UW-Athletic Hall of Fame welcomes seven new members tonight. The
Barry Alvarez
group is led by former football coach and current Athletic Director Barry Alvarez.
Alvarez is joining his 3rd Hall of Fame in the past year (Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and now the UW-Athletics Hall of Fame). He adds to the list in December when he will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
One of the players on Alvarez’ first team in Madison, Manitowoc native Don Davey, is also among the seven members receiving induction tonight.
AUDIO: Don Davey says his induction is quite an honor :23
The year was 1990, Davey’s final season and the first for Alvarez. The teams record was not good, but Davey and his teammates played hard. And Davey knew at that time that Alvarez would turn the program around.
AUDIO: Don Davey knew Alvarez would turn Badger football around :24
Davey won just 7 games during his time on the UW campus, from 1987 to 1991, but he said he doesn’t regret a thing. Davey remains the only player in NCAA history to be named a 4-time Academic All-American. He went on to play in the NFL for the Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Also being honored with UW Athletic Hall of Fame membership tonight are Ellen Stonebreaker (swimming), Donny Pritzlaff (wrestling), Dick Houden (track), Dan Lanphear (football) and Therna Welsh (hockey).