University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director Barry Alvarez spoke at Friday’s Athletic Board meeting, discussing the upcoming Rose Bowl and the future of the Big Ten.
“I’m excited,” Alvarez said. “There’s no experience like experiencing the Rose Bowl.”
Alvarez, recently announced as the Badger’s head coach in the 2013 Rose Bowl following the sudden departure of Bret Bielema, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to coach at the famous bowl game once again.
“I was surprised when the captains called and asked if I would take the team,” Alvarez said. “I was honored and quite frankly thrilled.”
Board member Jack Edl thanked Alvarez for accepting the opportunity to coach the team.
“You’re giving us a gift we never thought we would have and that’s seeing you back on the sidelines,” Edl said. “You’re taking people back to Pasadena that weren’t planning on going.”
Alvarez added he is looking forward to playing a physical game against Stanford, which he considers an “excellent opponent.”
“For us to be a part of it for a third consecutive year is truly special and I’m happy for our student athletes,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez recounted a story about a friend whose father decided the family would “wait for next year” to go to the Rose Bowl and bought a color TV that year instead. The next time the family made it to a Badger Rose Bowl was 31 years later.
“Never take this game for granted,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez also spoke briefly about Bielema’s departure. He said he’s “not in a huge hurry” to find a replacement, but has already contacted some possible candidates.
“The important thing is to get the right person in here,” Alvarez added.
The board also briefly discussed the recent addition of Rutgers and Maryland to the Big Ten.
Alvarez said the additions were made with the future of the conference in mind. He said the Big Ten must continue to grow as the Midwest region decreases in population, adding that the Northeast, where both Rutgers and Maryland are located, is expanding in population.
Board members also said the Badgers will benefit from the additional attention its athletics will receive as Big Ten network coverage also expands into the Northeast region.
