Table of Contents Letter from Barry Alvarez 2 Development 32 Men’s Soccer 49 NCAA Championship Teams 3 Men’s Basketball 36 Women’s Soccer 50 Year in Review 4 Women’s Basketball 37 Softball 51 Academics 8 Men’s Cross Country 38 Men’s Swimming & Diving 52 CHAMPS 12 Women’s Cross Country 39 Women’s Swimming & Diving 53 Facilities 14 Football 40 Men’s Tennis 54 Game Day 16 Men’s Golf 42 Women’s Tennis 55 Marketing 18 Women’s Golf 43 Men’s Track & Field 56 Badgers Give Back 20 Men’s Hockey 44 Women’s Track & Field 58 Media 22 Women’s Hockey 45 Volleyball 60 Finances 24 Men’s Rowing 46 Wrestling 61 Compliance 26 Women’s Openweight Rowing 47 2007–08 Results 62 Athletic Staff 28 Women’s Lightweight Rowing 48 2008–09 Game Plan 74 National W Club 30 2006-07 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Dear Friends of Badger Athletics, n behalf of the staff and student-athletes at the University of Wisconsin Athletic Depart- ment, I want to say thank you for your continued support of the Badgers. O As you will read elsewhere in this 2007–08 Annual Report, last season was filled with great Badger moments. The year included two national rowing championships, record-setting per- formances by a number of Badger teams and a No. 18 ranking in the prestigious Directors’ Cup, one of the highest finishes in school history. There also was plenty of other good news to share regarding the off-the-playing-field perfor- mance of our student-athletes, both in the classroom, where they continued their strong academic performance, and in the community, where they continued to volunteer their time and energy in a The year included two variety of community service projects throughout the year. national champion- All of these accomplishments are a credit to the student-athletes and coaches who made it hap- ships, six conference pen. But it’s also a credit to those of you who support Badger Athletics throughout the year. None titles, record-setting of that success would have been possible without your undying loyalty and support. performances by a There is no question that we will continue to face many challenges in the upcoming season, but number of Badger we’re hopeful that we can continue to build upon the successes of the past. I know that our stu- teams, outstanding dent-athletes and staff will work hard to represent this great institution well and to make you proud academics and to be a supporter of Badger Athletics. community service, As we embark on another journey in the 2008–09 season, we again say thank you. Your contin- and an 18th-place ued support has enhanced the collegiate experience for all of our student-athletes at Wisconsin. finish in the prestigious On Wisconsin! Directors’ Cup. Barry Alvarez Director of Athletics 2 WISCONSIN ATHLETICS TEam natIonal ChampIonshIps Photo by Andrew Ong Andrew Photo by 2 Women’s Lightweight Rowing Men’s Rowing 2007–08 Directors’ Cup Final Standings SCHOOL POINTS 1. Stanford 1461.0 2. UCLA 1182.0 3. Michigan 1161.0 4. Arizona State 1146.0 5. Texas 1129.5 6. Florida 1126.75 7. California 1119.0 8. Louisiana State 1081.66 9. Penn State 1041.0 rickson E 10. Georgia 1040.0 11. Ohio State 1033.75 12. Texas A&M 1031.0 Photo by David Photo by 13. Southern California 1011.25 14. North Carolina 977.5 15. Florida State 970.5 16. Tennessee 952.75 17. Virginia 869.0 18. Wisconsin 829.5 19. Duke 820.0 20. Auburn 761.5 21. Notre Dame 760.5 22. Washington 745.25 23. Oklahoma 713.0 24. Arkansas 696.0 25. Alabama 683.0 2007-08 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Year2007-08 in Review n 2007–08, the University of Wisconsin con- Team post-season tinued its winning ways, claiming two nation- 18 appearances Ial championships. The Badgers also added six conference crowns. Team conference Wisconsin’s rowing teams dominated the 2008 Inter- titles 6 collegiate Rowing Association National Championships. The men’s varsity eight capped off an undefeated season by winning National Coach its eighth national title and first since 1990. of the Year honors 1 The women’s lightweight rowing team ascended to the top of the medal stand as well, winning its fourth IRA title Conference Coach in the last five years. of the Year honors 2 UW nearly captured a third national title in women’s hockey, advancing to the NCAA title game for the third First-team All-Americans straight season. The Badgers finished one win short of their 23 third consecutive national championship. The men’s rowing team celebrated its first national title since 1990. The men’s basketball team followed up its record-break- Photo by Andrew Ong Conference Athletes ing 2006–07 season with a fantastic 2007–08 campaign. The 4 of the Year On the conference level, Wisconsin won Big Ten titles in Badgers set school records for wins (31) and conference vic- men’s cross country, men’s indoor track and field and men’s tories (16), capturing both the Big Ten Conference regular- basketball (regular-season and tournament) while the men’s First-team season and tournament titles in the same season for the first All-Conference selections rowing and women’s lightweight rowing teams both claimed 32 time in school history. the Eastern Sprints titles. Eighteen of the UW’s 23 teams qualified for post-season UW fans also had a banner season showing their support Academic competition. Several teams had notable post-season perfor- 4 All-District honors for the Badgers. Every football game was sold out and Wis- mances. The men’s cross country team placed fifth at the NCAA consin opens 2008 with a 14-game winning streak at Camp championships, its ninth consecutive top-five finish at the Randall Stadium. The Kohl Center has been sold out for national meet. The men’s hockey team returned to the NCAA men’s basketball for 89 consecutive games and the Badgers tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons and was own the second-best home record in the country over the an overtime goal away from advancing to the Frozen Four. For last seven seasons. Men’s hockey led the national attendance the third time in the last six seasons, Bo Ryan’s Badgers ad- rankings for the 10th straight year while women’s volleyball vanced to the Sweet 16. The women’s rowing team placed 10th shattered its own Big Ten record, averaging 5,050 spectators at the NCAA Championships, equaling its second-highest finish per match. in school history. 4 WISCONSIN ATHLETICS Players share Paul Bunyan’s Axe with the Badger fans that made the trip to Minneapolis. 2007–08 Athletes of the Year TRAVIS BECKUM – Football JOLENE ANDERSON – Beckum was a finalist for the John Mackey Award as the Women’s Basketball nation’s top tight end after leading the nation’s tight ends in receiving yards (982) and ranking second in receptions Anderson finished (75). He was a Walter Camp first-team All-America selec- her stellar career as tion and named college football’s “Tight End of the Year” UW’s all-time scor- by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio. A consensus ing leader (2,312 first-team All- points). The 2008 For the third time in the past four years, the Big Ten choice, Big Ten Player of the University of Wisconsin won the annual Bor- Beckum’s 75 Year by the media, der Battle Trophy. receptions are Anderson was also Wisconsin scored in 17 events totaling 465 most ever for named the Frances points while Minnesota scored in 15 events for a Badger tight Pomeroy Naismith 415 points. For the third time, the competition end. National Player of came down to the last weekend. The Badger Jolene Anderson, UW’s all-time leading the Year. That award men’s track and field team finished higher than scorer, won a gold medal as a member of the is presented annually USA U21 team in the summer of 2007. the Golden Gophers at the Big Ten Outdoor Travis Beckum was by the Naismith Me- Championships, guaranteeing a UW win. a first-team All- morial Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation’s outstanding After four seasons of the Border Battle, American last year and led all tight ends female collegian 5-8 or under. A two-time, first-team All- the score is 3-1 in favor of Wisconsin. The nationally with 75 Big Ten selection and two-time Big Ten scoring champion, annual battle for border supremacy between receptions. That is Anderson was drafted in the second round (23rd overall) a school record for the athletic departments at the University tight ends. by the Connecticut Sun in the 2008 WNBA draft. of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota is determined by awarding points to the school which wins in head-to-head competition or to the team which finishes higher at the Big Ten championship in the 11 sports in which Ed the Badgers and Golden Gophers don’t have a Bo Ryan Nuttycombe Jerry Men’s Schumacher head-to-head competition. Men’s Track The overall winner of the season-long Basketball & Field Men’s Cross event wins the Border Battle Trophy for display Jim Phelan Big Ten Indoor Country on its campus. National Coach Coach of the Big Ten of the Year Year Coach of the Year 2007-08 ANNUAL REPORT 5 Women’s hockey made its third Other Notable Performers Women’s Swimming 3 straight appearance in the NCAA Brandon Bethke—Men’s Track Set a Big Ten record in the 200-yard championship game Named the Big Ten Indoor Track Athlete freestyle relay.