OPINION & EDITORIAL
The dawn of a new era
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
- Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
- $$FC (December 6, 2007)
- In a bind (December 5, 2007)
- Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Alvarez in too deep (February 18, 2003)
- Keep jumping (September 9, 2003)
- Students: Jump Around! (September 8, 2003)
- A view from the cheap seats (February 2, 2004)
- Badgering fans (November 19, 2004)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Effective April 1, 2004, Pat Richter’s tenure as the University of Wisconsin’s Athletic Director will come to a close. Inheriting a major budget deficit and lethargic programs in 1989, Richter transformed UW athletics into the financially stable institution it is today. Through careful management, deft personnel moves and a massive upgrading of facilities, Richter has brought the department into the 21st century.
One of Richter’s first moves was to hire Notre Dame football assistant Barry Alvarez as the Badgers’ head coach. Three Rose Bowls later, the selection of Alvarez has arguably been the finest personnel decision Richter has made.
Thursday, after over a year of adjustment as the department’s designee, Alvarez will formally assume the duties of athletic director. We applaud the accomplishments of the Richter Era and urge Alvarez to continue commitment to fielding competitive programs and keeping events affordable for both students and alumni. We also advise Alvarez to confront the shortcomings of the department’s Student-Athlete Discipline Policy as well as make assurance that student input will be gauged in decisions that affect the group as a whole.
Recently, the athletic department announced a slight increase in ticket prices for the three major revenue sports at the university in efforts to stay competitive financially with the rest of the Big Ten. Despite the bump in prices, ticket costs remain in the lower half of the conference. Such commitment to affordable prices promotes keeping people in the stands and interested in the events on the field.
Moreover, the department recently sought student input in the form of an online survey as means to remedy problems surrounding student basketball season ticket distribution. This board applauded the department’s efforts to gauge student opinion, and we hope Alvarez will open further channels of discourse with the student body. In treating students with respect, the department can expect the body to act accordingly.
While the behavior of student fans remains a concern, this board urged the Big Ten and the university to seek productive means to remedy the problems through communication. Gary Williams, head coach of the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball team, addressed his rowdy student section before a game this season. Over the Comcast Center’s public address system, Williams asked students to curb their indecent behavior. The students responded positively.
While Alvarez has sent mass e-mails to football season tickets holders in the past requesting similar behavior changes, we hope Alvarez will be as bold as Williams and address fans directly. Believe it or not, they will listen.
Unfortunately, it seems behavior problems have become a regular occurrence among student athletes. While Richter and Alvarez confronted the problem with the creation of the department’s Student-Athlete Discipline Policy, the results have been far from appropriate. Recently, Badger running back Dwayne Smith was formally charged with second-degree sexual assault. Smith will stand trial and faces up to 40 years in prison if he is convicted. After an indefinite suspension was handed out by the department, Smith was awarded an appeal, and his suspension was reduced to just five spring practices.
In this case, and like many others, it seems the punishment does not fit the severity of the allegations. The department must settle on a clear-cut, all-or-nothing policy regarding serious criminal charges.
If the purpose of the Student-Athlete Discipline Policy is to inform athletes of the severity of their behavior, the appeals board is undermining the policy’s function. Changes must be made and stiffer penalties must be administered if the disciplinary policy is to be taken seriously. This board has previously asked such measures be made by the athletic department in the face of the regulatory problems plaguing college athletics. As a Big Ten university, UW should have the loftiest of expectations for its athletes.
Following a year of preparation, Alvarez should be ready to take the reigns of the department. We trust Richter has briefed his successor on the importance of the position and the responsibilities and obligations it entails. Fans should feel confident that an era of promise and productivity will continue under Alvarez’ watch. We put our trust in Barry Alvarez to take the athletic department forward and we thank Pat Richter for his integral part in transforming this university into what it is today.
