As frequent readers of my column know — and I suspect that number is similar to the number of students who will spend their time studying over spring break — I often like to point out the many flaws and problems that arise in sports.

Whether it’s athletes’ embarrassing behavior off the field, boneheaded decisions by management or fans displaying the mental aptitude and fervor of religious zealots, I usually spend my week trying to think of the best subject to mock.

This week, however, optimists can rejoice because my beverage of choice is half full, and this column (for once) will be a happy column.

While it would be easy to laugh at A-Roid and the Yankees losing before the season has even started, speculate on the possibility of the Kentucky basketball team facing Tubby Smith’s Minnesota team in the NIT or write something disparaging about the Buffalo Bills new wide receiver, this column will be nothing but rainbows and sunshine from here on out.

What could be the source of this unexpected jubilation?

Surprisingly — and with its track record, this really is shocking — it’s the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department.

Last Friday, Associate Athletic Director Sean Frazier announced at a press conference that Camp Randall and its 80,321-seat capacity will play host to the men’s and women’s hockey teams for the Camp Randall Hockey Classic on Feb. 6, 2010.

I’m actually jumping around with joy.

The Athletic Department usually only makes it into the news when it screws up. This past year for example, it revamped the ticket process for football games, which made the system worse. Then in trying to fix what it had just broken, the department screwed it up even more, and in the end just said to hell with the whole thing and left the process in its original state of shabbiness.

Yikes.

But just as we ridicule the Athletic Department on those rare occasions when it drops the ball, we must also commend the department when it comes through with an actual good idea.

And in playing hockey outside at Camp Randall, the Athletic Department has hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head.

Three years ago, the men’s hockey team played an outdoor game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay before going on to win the national championship that season (I’ll let you decide if it’s just a coincidence). What is certain is both the players and the fans who watched the Badgers beat Ohio State 4-2 raved about the experience afterward.

This time — with the game in Madison — the Saturday game days we enjoy so much in the fall can be experienced one more time in the spring semester.

Besides making terrific use of the wonderful athletic facilities available and capitalizing on a sound revenue-generating opportunity, the Athletic Department is actually paying a compliment to Badger fans. The only way an event like this fails is if the hockey teams play in front of an empty stadium.

By organizing a spectacle like this, the Athletic Department has placed its faith that UW fans — whether they follow hockey or not — to make this game worthwhile.

While I could end the column by just applauding the Athletic Department for a job well done, it’s not in my nature to do so, and I have just one suggestion.

Don’t stop here.

Take the momentum from the success this event surely will have, and consider more innovative ideas. Badger fans have proved time and time again that they are some of the best college fans in the nation. Sure we come a little bit late to the games, but even in the face of mediocre seasons from all three major sports, we have continued to show up. Just like the state we inhabit, fair weather is rarely seen here. Reward us with experiences like the Camp Randall Hockey Classic. I’ll even get the ball rolling if you are struggling for ideas.

For one game a year, put the men’s basketball team back in the Field House. The Kohl Center is a fine venue, and I don’t mean to undermine its value. But for just one game a year, let the Field House rock like it did before ’98. For those who can’t picture it, think about Cameron Indoor, except with a sea of red as opposed to that obnoxious blue.

My random ideas and tangents aside, both the Athletic Department and Badger fans were winners this week.

When all we often focus on are the negative aspects of sports, it’s nice to see a legitimate good gesture from any sports organization.

(Uh oh, my cynicism is returning).

Don’t get used to it.

Michael is a junior majoring in journalism. Want to share your thoughts on the UW Athletic Department? Do you prefer a happy column or a cynical column? He can be reached at [email protected].