The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team is officially back in action this week, as the Badgers prepare to welcome the University of Northern Iowa to the Kohl Center for their first exhibition game of the season.
Typically, collegiate teams are only allowed two exhibition games during a season, but this year the NCAA is willing to change that rule for a special cause. The NCAA is allowing college teams to have three exhibition games so long as one of those games is used specifically for raising funds for recent natural disasters.
Wisconsin immediately jumped on the chance to add another game, and to help a good cause, and invited UNI to come to Madison. To comply with the NCAA’s stipulations, all profits that are made during Wednesday’s game will be going to Team Rubicon and their efforts to help those in the United States and the Caribbean who were affected by natural disasters.
Tickets for the game were free, with the intention that the money fans would have spent on tickets can now be spent on donations. Parking will also only be available the day of the game and will be cash only, with proceeds going to Team Rubicon.
Team Rubicon is an NGO specializing in training veterans as first responders in humanitarian crises such as those caused by the recent slew of hurricanes. The organization was founded by former UW football player and U.S. Marine Corp veteran Jake Wood.
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Wednesday’s game will mark the first of three exhibition games that Wisconsin will play this season, with the other two games happening next week. Wisconsin will begin their regular season beginning on November 12th.
Wisconsin and UNI will go head to head at the Kohl Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, and fans are encouraged to donate to Team Rubicon’s efforts. Fans who are not able to attend the exhibition game can catch it on BTN Plus, or can listen to a live broadcast by Badger Sports Network.
