MADISON, Wis. – Beginning with the 2022 season, the field at Camp Randall Stadium will be named for legendary former Wisconsin football coach and director of athletics Barry Alvarez, UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced at a ceremony held Friday night at Camp Randall.

"Barry Alvarez has had an immeasurable impact on the UW-Madison campus and beyond in the state and in college sports," Chancellor Blank said during the ceremony. "This type of career deserves recognition at the highest level.  

"I am proud to announce that more than 60 donors to date have come together to contribute more than $13 million to support UW Athletics in honor of Barry Alvarez. In recognition of that support and in honor of Barry's legacy, beginning in the 2022 season this football field where we are currently standing will be known as 'Barry Alvarez Field' at Camp Randall Stadium."

After 32 years at the University of Wisconsin, including the final 18 as the Director of Athletics, Alvarez officially retired on June 30, 2021, ending a legendary career in Madison. 

Wisconsin Athletics has been transformed since Alvarez's arrival as the head football coach in January of 1990. What was once a department that was in debt and struggling for fan support and to compete in the Big Ten is now a nationally-recognized brand with broad-based success and a legendary following.

At the heart of that revival has been the football program. During Alvarez's tenure in Madison, the UW football team has played in 26 bowl games (including a Big Ten-best 19 straight) and won six Big Ten titles. 

One of just 16 football coaches in Big Ten history to win at least 100 games at one school, Alvarez retired from coaching after the 2005 season as Wisconsin's all-time winningest coach with a record of 119-74-4. He led the Badgers to three Big Ten titles and three Rose Bowl victories. 

Alvarez was voted into the state of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009, the College Football Hall of Fame and UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame in 2016.

Alvarez retired as head football coach following the 2005 season and spent 18 seasons as UW's Director of Athletics. Alvarez presided over one of the nation's most prosperous and respected athletic departments. Wisconsin enjoyed remarkable success during Alvarez's tenure, winning a combined 16 team national titles and 74 conference regular-season or tournament crowns. In 2017-18, he earned Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year honors.

"That was quite a surprise. I'm touched. I'm honored," Alvarez said. "That means so much to me to have my name on this field. Thank you for this. For my name on the field, that is very touching and very meaningful to me.

"I've said this all along, I got into this because so many coaches touched my life. I love my players. To have the opportunity to see so many players come back, to me, that's what I got into this for. It wasn't about making money or having my name on the field."

Plans are for the words "Barry Alvarez Field" to be placed in the northwest and southeast corners of the field when the Camp Randall Stadium turf is replaced prior to the start of the 2022 season.

Wisconsin Athletics would like to thank the following people for contributing to the fundraising campaign that has allowed this honor to become a reality:

• Ted and Mary Kellner
• Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. and the Kohler Company 
• Michael and Mary Sue Shannon 
• Richard Johnson
• Jack and Karen Kellner 
• Allan H. "Bud" Selig
• Ricky Sandler
• Don and Kristen Davey
• Stephen Peterson
• Glen and Susan Tellock
• David and Nanette Bender 
• Jere and Anne Fluno
• Anonymous
• Rick Coleman
• Paul and Julie Leff
• Paul and Suzanne Shain
• Jack and Susan McCoy 
• Tom and Karen Falk
• Kenny and Shoshana Dichter
• The Deutsch Family
• Paul and Robin Chryst
• Chris and Elizabeth Quadracci Harned Family
• Nate and Ana Brand
• Kelby and Heidi Krabbenhoft
• Gary and Deborah Wendt
• Chris and Deann McIntosh 
• Ron and Diane Leafblad
• Phill and Elizabeth Gross
• Kevin and Shelly Mehring
• Jeff and Julia Diermier
• Peter and Molly Kies
• Tom and Barbara Stevens
• John and Anne Oros 
• Joe and Rebecca Rotherbauer
• Thomas and Nikki Madsen
• Oliver Weiner
• Michael Steinberg
• Tony Canonie
• Sheldon and Marianne Lubar
• Bill and Diane Kennedy
• Gary and Jill Hatton
• Captains, LLC- Lee Evans and Jeff Mack
• Paula Stibbe 
• The Dillig Family 
• Patrick Gallagher
• Stephen Petersen
• Steve Bornstein
• Ross Berman 
• Brandon Levin
• Jim Mestl
• Peter and Karin Leidel
• Ann and Jon Hammes
• Jim and Renae Buchheim
• Dan and Lena Kelly
• Jack and Sarah Salzwedel
• Joe and Annie Thomas
• Bill and Shela Westrate
• American Family Insurance
• Charles Giesen
• Dan Minahan
• David Lenz
• John Poser
• Kevin Morgan
• Bill Nasgovitz
• William Nasgovitz