It's official: Barry Alvarez is retiring.
After it was first reported last month that the patriarch of Wisconsin football was nearing retirement, Alvarez announced Tuesday his last day atop the Badgers' athletics department will be June 30.
"It has been an honor to be a part of Wisconsin Athletics and I take great pride in all we have accomplished over the last three decades," Alvarez said. "From championships, to improvements on campus, to impacting thousands of student-athletes, it's been a great ride. I'm grateful for the support, generosity, enthusiasm and loyalty of Badgers in the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Thank you."
Among the last of the old school coach-turned-AD model, Alvarez arrived in Madison in 1990, taking over a program with all of one bowl victory in its entire history. He remade the program in his image, building around a dairy-bred offensive line and running game that has endured since his 2005 retirement from coaching. Ignited by his 120 wins, three Big Ten titles and three Rose Bowl victories, Wisconsin has been among college football's most consistent winners over the past three decades.
Alvarez was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqaMkXNQ3q0&feature=youtu.be
"We thank Barry for his hard work, devotion to UW-Madison, and the standard of excellence he has set for our athletic program," Wisconsin chancellor Rebecca Blank said. "His work here has positively impacted the lives of countless student-athletes who have come through our doors.
"His leadership has also lifted our university and our state. Barry's legacy will live on whenever Badgers take the field."
Wisconsin will celebrate Alvarez's career in a live event with Alvarez, Blank and Wisconsin governor Tony Evers, which will be aired at 12:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and the Badgers' social channels.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.