Badgers Accept Outback Bowl Invitation
November 23, 2004 | General News
Outback Bowl officials extended an invitation today to the University of Wisconsin to play in Tampa on New Year's Day. The Badgers head to the Outback Bowl with a 9-2 record and ranked 18th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll and 20th in the AP Poll. They boast one of the top defenses in the country and will face a team from the Southeastern Conference.
'We are proud to welcome the 9-2 Badgers to the Outback Bowl,' stated Team Selection Chairman Bernie O'Brien. 'We are looking forward to matching them up with a highly ranked SEC opponent.'
'It's great to have Coach Alvarez and an outstanding Badger team back to Tampa for the third time,' said Outback Bowl Chairman Chuck Johnson. 'The Badgers have been one of the top teams all season and will be an outstanding Big Ten representative in what we feel will be another great Outback Bowl match-up.'
'The Outback Bowl is widely regarded as one of the top bowl trips in the country,' added Bowl President/CEO Jim McVay. 'We look forward to showcasing our beaches, sunshine, entertainment districts, theme parks and beautiful community to the Badger team and their fans.'
"Our entire program is very excited about the opportunity to return to Tampa and play in the Outback Bowl,' said Badger Head Coach Barry Alvarez. 'We had a tremendous experience there the last time and we are looking forward to playing in the new stadium against an excellent Southeastern Conference opponent. Tampa is a wonderful host city and the people there have really welcomed us. We're looking forward to it."
The 2005 Outback Bowl once again kicks-off the New Year's Day bowl lineup at 11 A.M. (ET) and will be telecast internationally on ESPN TV. Information on the Outback Bowl game, bowl events, area hotels and things to do in the Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater area can be found on the bowl's web site at www.outbackbowl.com.
OUTBACK BOWL TICKET INFORMATION
The University of Wisconsin will receive 11,000 tickets to the 2004 Outback Bowl for distribution to its constituents. The Athletic Ticket Office mailed advance ticket order forms earlier this month and took bowl ticket requests on-line at www.uwbadgers.com. Deadline for returning those ticket request forms, placing a request by phone (800-GO-BADGERS) or requesting on-line is Nov. 30.
The distribution of Wisconsin's ticket allotment of 11,000 for the Outback Bowl is as follows:
' Athletic Department / institutional needs (team, coaches, staff, university relations, band and spirit squads)
' UW-Madison students ( 20 percent of what remains after department / institutional needs)
' Badger Fund donors
' 2004 Wisconsin football season ticket purchasers
' general public (begins Dec. 1 if tickets are still available)
Badger Fund donors are guaranteed the opportunity to purchase tickets in the following quantities (based upon giving levels): Coach's Club (four), Director's Club (six), All-American (eight), Champion's (10) and Hall of Fame (12). All donors that receive bowl tickets will be seated in Badger Fund priority point order.
If tickets remain available after the above orders are filled, a general public sale will begin Dec. 1.
Student season ticket holder requests should be submitted at www.uwbadgers.com. A valid credit card number will be required to place an order. If necessary a lottery will be run on Dec. 9 to determine which student season ticket holder request are filled. Students may request up two tickets each and all tickets will be allocated based upon class standing. Students who order and receive Outback Bowl tickets may stop by Gate B of the Kohl Center beginning Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. to pick them up.
OUTBACK BOWL TOUR INFORMATION
The official Outback Bowl tour package is sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA). Detailed information about the WAA tour package is available on-line at http://www.doddsathletictours.com/badgeroutback/. If you have questions about WAA bowl tours, please call the hotline at (866) 373-5073. The WAA will be open for walk-in bowl tour sales at 650 North Lake Street beginning today.
