WI LEGENDS ALVAREZ

ALVAREZ

BARRY

The history of the UW football program basically can be broken into two parts: Before Barry Alvarez arrived, and after he arrived. The Badgers had experienced moments — and in a few cases runs — of success before Alvarez’s arrival following the 1989 season. But the idea of contending for Big Ten championships was a pipe dream, especially when Alvarez inherited a program that had gone a combined 6-27 under Don Morton over the previous three seasons.

John Maniaci, Wisconsin State Journal

TROPHY CASE

Guided the Badgers to Big Ten title

1993, 1998, 1999

Alvarez raised eyebrows during his introductory news conference by telling fans “they better get their season tickets right now because, before too long, they probably won’t be able to.” Keep in mind, the announced attendance for Morton’s final game was under 30,000. But Alvarez delivered on his promise by making UW football relevant again.

UW athletic director Chris McIntosh talks about the influence Alvarez had on him and the university.

John Maniaci, Wisconsin State Journal

Abby Schnable

John Maniaci, State Journal

The Badgers ended a 31-year Rose Bowl drought by winning the Big Ten in 1993, Alvarez’s fourth season, and beat UCLA in a thriller in Pasadena. They were back five years later — and the year after that — becoming the first Big Ten team to win the Rose Bowl in back-to-back seasons. Rebuilding a program from the bottom floor is difficult. So is sustaining success once that foundation is laid. Alvarez managed to do both before stepping into a role as UW’s athletic director.

M.P. King, Wisconsin State Journal

TROPHY CASE

ALVAREZ BIO

AFTER UW

ALVAREZ BIO

Born: July 12, 1989, in Palo Alto, California Hometown: Sun Valley, Idaho High school: Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, Connecticut), 2003-07 Family: Parents Jim and Cynthia; brothers James Jr., Remington and William

AFTER UW

TOP 5 MOMENTS WITH THE BADGERS

VS. Ohio State

Oct. 3, 1992

The Badgers upset the Buckeyes, a win that gave Alvarez belief the program was headed in the right direction.

VS. Michigan State

Dec. 4, 1993

The Badgers beat Michigan State 41-20 in Tokyo to clinch the Big Ten title.

VS. UCLA

Jan. 1, 1999

The Badgers knocked off UCLA 38-31 to again win the Rose Bowl.

Jan. 1, 1994

The Badgers beat UCLA 21-16 to win the Rose Bowl.

VS. UCLA

VS. Stanford

Jan. 1, 2000

The Badgers won their third Rose Bowl under Alvarez by defeating the Cardinal 17-9.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Guided the Badgers to a 9-4 record in bowl games, including 6-3 in games played in January.

Alvarez’s UW records

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READ FULL FOOTBALL STORY

John Hart, State Journal

Former UW running back Ron Dayne, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1999, shares some thoughts about his former college coach.

READ FULL FOOTBALL STORY

Colten Bartholomew, Wisconsin State Journal

THE LEGENDS

Football coach, 1990 to 2005 Athletic director, 2004 to 2021

Born: Dec. 30, 1946, in Langeloth, Pa. Hometown: Burgettstown, Pa, High school: Burgettstown Union, 1960-64 Family: Wife Cindy; daughters Dawn and Stacy; son Chad

• Served as UW athletic director from 2004-2021. UW teams won 16 national championships, including six in women’s hockey and five in women’s lightweight rowing, and 73 conference championships (regular season and tournaments combined) during that time. The football and men's basketball programs produced 15 consecutive years of playing in a bowl game and reaching the NCAA Tournament, setting an NCAA record. • Was one of 13 members on the first College Football Playoff selection committee in 2013. • Served as an analyst for Fox Sports in 2006, calling the BCS title game (Ohio State vs. Florida) and the Fiesta Bowl (Boise State vs. Oklahoma). • Named Big Ten’s special adviser for football in 2021.

SEE MORE BADGERS LEGENDS

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• Went 119-74-1 at UW, becoming only the 10th football coach in Big Ten history to win 100 games at one conference institution.

Played in 68 wins during his career

Scored at least 20 points 20 times in his career

19.7

Averaged one turnover every 19.7 minutes played

Ranked second on the team in blocks with 18 as a sophomore

Finished with three double-doubles with UW but none as a junior

7,125

Made a then-program record 171 free throws during his junior season

VS. MINNESOTA

Oct. 3, 1992

The Badgers upset the Buckeyes, a win that gave Alvarez belief the program was headed in the right direction.

READ FULL FOOTBALL STORY

• UW posted a winning record in 11 of his final 13 seasons. The Badgers had posted winning records in only six of the previous 26 seasons before his arrival.

Big Ten MVPs coached

NFL draft picks coached

First-round NFL draft picks coached

Big Ten football coaching wins

Bowl coaching wins

119

Football coaching wins

• Went 119-74-1 at UW, becoming only the 10th football coach in Big Ten history to win 100 games at one conference institution.

Football coach 1990 to 2005 Athletic director 2004 to 2021

Big Ten Coach of the Year

1993, 1998

Named national coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association and the Bobby Dodd Foundation

1993

Elected to College Football Hall of Fame

2010