MADISON, Wis. – Since the first athletic competition in 1889, the Wisconsin Badgers have been proud to be the state's flagship collegiate team. Throughout those 130-plus years, the Milwaukee community has been a vital part of that history as generations of athletes and fans from Southeast Wisconsin have donned the Cardinal and White.
"Having grown up in the greater Milwaukee area, I've seen first-hand how important the Badgers are to the culture of our state," director of athletics Chris McIntosh said. "I'm grateful for our ties to Southeast Wisconsin and excited to strengthen our connection even further."
The first major event of the season kicks off on Sept. 13 with community service projects and a fan pep rally, before peaking with the top-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team taking on Marquette at Fiserv Forum that evening. Tickets are on sale now at
Ticketmaster.com.
On Sept. 13, Wisconsin staff will volunteer at Guest House of Milwaukee, an organization that provides shelter, housing, education and services to Milwaukee's homeless who seek to transform their lives with dignity and purpose. In addition to delivering more than 1,000 sandwiches that were packaged by UW staff, the Badgers will assist in the Guest House community garden and help with painting inside the facility.
Prior to the Sept. 13 volleyball match against Marquette, UW will host a pep rally presented by
UW Credit Union at the Mecca Sports Bar & Grill in the Deer District. From 5-7 p.m., Badger fans will enjoy music and giveaways and guest appearances.
Also that day, the Badgers are partnering with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to stage a food drive outside the Mecca Sports Bar & Grill in the Deer District prior to the volleyball match. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable items to donate prior to the match.
The increased presence launched earlier this summer with a year-long billboard campaign throughout the Milwaukee metro area that will highlight Wisconsin athletics and the connection with Southeast Wisconsin. The Badgers are also excited to offer exclusive ticket packages targeted to Milwaukee residents for a variety of Badger sports this upcoming season and beyond.
In addition to the volleyball match in September, the Badgers will return to Fiserv Forum in late December as the men's hockey team participates in the third-annual Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off. Wisconsin will take on Air Force in the semifinal round on Thursday, Dec. 28, before facing either Minnesota-Duluth or Northeastern on Friday, Dec. 29. Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster.com.
Wisconsin's increased engagement in Milwaukee extends a great history the Badgers have enjoyed in the Cream City. Among the recent events, UW hosted the Brew City Battle in Nov. of 2022, staging the first men's and women's basketball games in American Family Field history. The Badger men's hockey team has also hosted a Holiday Face-Off series at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee each of the last two years. In 2021, UW hosted a "Badgers are Back Block Party" at the Deer District to celebrate the return of fans following the Covid-19 pandemic.
