Earlier this year former Wisconsin head football coach and current athletic director Barry Alvarez was selected to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Add one more to the list with the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Alvarez who spent 15 seasons as head coach for the Badgers will finally be recognized among the greats in Wisconsin history. Putting his name along side legends like Pat Richter, Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, and Al Ameche. Not to mention former players Troy Vincent, and Ron Dayne.
What may be suprising to many his how long it has taken to put Alvarez into Wisconsin's own Hall of Fame. During his tenure as head coach Alvarez won three Rose Bowls, three Big Ten titles, and a record of 118-73-4.
One of things that remains forgotten today is where the program was when Alvarez took the job as the head man in Madison. The Badgers had only put together six wins in three seasons prior to Alzarez's arrival. His first year on the job Wisconsin went a whopping 1-10, and 50 players quit the team.
Back then you probably thought that nothing was going to change. Wisconsin would remain a laughing stock. They would continue to miss bowl games, and conference championships. But low and behold just three years later. The Badgers were Big Ten co-champions, and playing in their first Rose Bowl in three decades.
Look at where the program is now compared to even then. Wisconsin has gone from a program thrilled to be playing in one Rose Bowl to the program bummed if they miss it every year. The Badgers have went from a program that couldn't recruit anywhere to a team that recruits nationally, and even brought in a Hiesman Trophy winner in Ron Dayne..
Where Wisconsin athletics is in general is becasue of Barry Alvarez. So, should have Barry been inducted years ago. Yes. Are we happy that he is being inducted now? Absolutely. It's been a long time coming even if they have to wait five years to make it happen.
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