Barry Alvarez: Three Decades of Excellence
Barry Alvarez is in his 32nd year at the University of Wisconsin, his 18th as Director of Athletics, after serving as head football coach for 16 seasons (1990-2005). Alvarez served as A.D. and football coach from April 1, 2004 to Jan. 2, 2006.
Wisconsin Athletics has been transformed since Alvarez’s arrival 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.
Explore the timeline below about Alvarez's leadership of the Wisconsin Badgers throughout the last three decades.
1990s
Jan. 2, 1990 – Barry Alvarez is officially hired as the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin.
Sept. 8, 1990 – The Badgers lose to California, 28-12, at Camp Randall Stadium in Alvarez’s first game.
Sept. 15, 1990 – Alvarez notches his first career victory as UW defeats Ball State, 24-7, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Feb. 22, 1996 – The Wisconsin softball team plays its inaugural game, losing to Arizona State, 9-0.
Oct. 10, 1998 – The ‘Jump Around’ tradition begins as the Badger defeat Drew Brees and Purdue, 31-24, on Homecoming.
Jan. 17, 1998 – The Kohl Center, the new home of the men’s and women’s basketball and men’s hockey teams, opens as the men’s basketball team defeats Northwestern, 55-33. The project cost $76.4 million.
Nov. 21, 1998 - Wisconsin defeats No. 14 Penn State, 24-3, to clinch a share of the Big Ten title and a bid to the 1999 Rose Bowl.
Photo Gallery: Barry Alvarez, Hall of Fame Football Coach
Explore a collection of photos from Barry Alvarez's celebrated career as the Badgers' head coach
2000s
Jan. 1, 2000 – Wisconsin becomes the first Big Ten team in history to win back-to-back Rose Bowls, defeating Stanford 17-9.
Feb. 14, 2003 – UW Director of Athletics Pat Richter announces his intentions to retire in April, 2004 and Alvarez is tabbed as his successor.
April 1, 2004 – Alvarez officially takes over as Wisconsin’s Director of Athletics.
Sept. 4, 2004 - Alvarez wins his 100th career game as the Badgers defeat UCF, 34-6.
Jan. 2, 2006 – Wisconsin upsets No. 7 Auburn, 24-10, in the Capital One Bowl, Alvarez’s final game as head coach.
April 9, 2006 – The UW men’s hockey team defeats Boston College, 2-1, to win the NCAA title. With the women’s team defeating Minnesota, 3-0, on March 26, Wisconsin becomes the first school in NCAA history to win national titles in men’s and women’s hockey in the same season.
Gallery: Alvarez: Director of Athletics
2010s - Present
July 24, 2010 – Alvarez announces the hiring of Yvette Healy as head softball coach. Healy has led the Badgers to five NCAA tournament appearances in nine seasons and guided the Badgers to the 2013 Big Ten Tournament title.
Sept. 10, 2010 – Alvarez is enshrined into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame.
Dec. 7, 2010 – Alvarez is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Oct. 19, 2012 – LaBahn Arena, the new home of the Wisconsin women’s hockey team, officially open. The project cost $27.9 million.
Dec. 1, 2012 – The Badger football team defeats Nebraska, 70-31, to win the Big Ten Football Championship Game for the second consecutive year and earn the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl for the third straight season.
Dec. 28, 2012 – Alvarez announces the hiring of Kelly Sheffield as head volleyball coach. A two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, Sheffield has led the Badgers to a 187-49 (.792) record, NCAA tournament appearances every season, two Big Ten titles and two appearances in the NCAA title game in his seven seasons at UW.
March 6, 2016 – Alvarez tabs Greg Gard to as head men’s basketball coach. The 2020 Big Ten Coach of the Year, Gard has led the Badgers to a (101-57) record, four NCAA tournaments, two Sweet 16s and the 2020 Big Ten regular season title in six-plus seasons at the helm.
March 30, 2016 – Alvarez names former Badger and NHL star Tony Granato as head coach of the men’s hockey team. A two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, Granato served as Team USA head coach in the 2018 Winter Olympics and led the Badgers to the 2021 Big Ten championship.
Dec. 30, 2017 – The UW football team defeats Miami, 34-24, in the Orange Bowl for its second-straight New Year’s Six Bowl victory and its school-record 13th win of the season.
March 5, 2018 – Alvarez is named Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year by The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Gallery: Barry Alvarez Legacy Celebration
