Ten Things You Need to Know About the Absence of University of Wisconsin’s Baseball Program and Whether It’s Coming Back

• The Program was cut back in 1991 primarily because of financial issues

It is widely believed today that the sole reason for the absence of Wisconsin’s baseball program stems from equality standards with Title IX, and while Title IX concerns had a major role in the decision to get rid of the program it was ultimately the financial problems with the athletic department that forced the program out. An article from Fox Sports details that the athletic department was 2 million in debt in ’91 and the board believed they were better suited to support 20 varsity teams rather than 25. Wisconsin at the time was not experiencing the success it is now in football and basketball, so it was not getting financial aid from its revenue sports. Once it was decided that baseball need to be cut for financial reasons, getting rid of the sport went a long way in satisfying the Title IX issues.

• Barry Alvarez is adamant on keeping strict focus on basketball and football

Former Badger three-sport-athlete (basketball, baseball, football), Pat Richter, took over as Athletic Director in 1989 when the department was losing more money than it made. Though he did not want to cut baseball, a sport he loved and played at UW, he felt it had to be done because of financial issues, Title IX, and resources for the sport. Following the cutting of baseball and four other sports Wisconsin’s sports successes was reborn and the big revenue sports football and basketball started bringing in money with more attention and backing. With Barry Alvarez succeeding Richter, the attention on football and basketball has intensified and any lobbying for the baseball program takes a backseat for Alvarez despite the following and success the program had for many years. The demand of maintaining success in the revenue sports and keeping a gender balance seemingly weighs too much in the Athletic Director’s mind.

• Title IX is not so strict after all

The University of Wisconsin currently offers more women sports than boys (12 vs 11) and has 393 women participants to 374 male participants. Wisconsin has clearly taken great strides to practice gender equality in their sports department and would find themselves meeting the “proportionality standard” that Title IX requires better than many other big schools. In addition, many other schools who have proven they do not comply with Title IX standards have never lost federal funds because of non-compliance. Yes, Wisconsin needs to practice gender equality in sports just as every school should in attempt to achieve gender equality in general, but Wisconsin has proven that they have done a careful job making sure things are equal, so adding baseball ultimately would not violate Title IX. There would be some scholarship equalities to figure out as well as other necessary requirements but nothing drastic. There is some flexibility here with Title IX.

• Baseball is going to be an expensive investment, a lot of cash is needed

No matter how much lobbying is done for baseball, no matter how many proposals are handed to the athletic department, the simplest most guaranteed way to bring back baseball is money. University of Oregon resurrected their baseball program in 2009 following a 30-year hiatus and it was largely possible thanks to the support and donations of rich alumni and boosters. Wisconsin has the type of financial backing from alumnus and boosters where bringing back baseball could be feasible, not to mention that many people want to see America’s pastime back at the school. However, the price for baseball would pile up after the program gets reinstated. The year after Oregon’s was reinstated the program had lost a million in revenue for the athletics department. The one-time cost of equipment, a stadium, and the added endowed scholarships plus the sustainment of the program adds up to a lot of money over a short time. The investment needs to be well thought out in advance. Baseball programs have proven to lose money when it’s all said and done, so the incentive to once again add the program from that perspective is tough to see.

• Would the program even be competitive if it came back and would there be interest?

While the varsity program had some nice runs in its time, toward the end of its run it proved to be somewhat competitive while enduring some tough seasons. Even in the successful seasons the baseball program lacked an attractive quality. There were some glaring negatives regarding the facilities and the equipment. However, the state of Wisconsin has always boasted some notable high school talent and nowadays there are a lot of players who wish they could play for Wisconsin’s baseball team, but instead they must choose UW-Milwaukee, the only current D1 option in the state, or go play elsewhere. UW is missing out on reeling in the state’s top baseball talent without a program, even though the interest from prospects is there. It can be argued that the athletic department has experienced enough success and earned enough money where they could provide and exciting atmosphere for baseball if they really wanted to invest. The club baseball team has gained the attention of students and has formed a fan base, and many of the club kids wish the varsity program was back here. Think of what the University could do with a varsity program. The buzz for it and the talent for it is here.

• The club baseball team has become a fun little success story in the absence of a varsity program

On the topic of club baseball, the club program has been able to thrive due to the lack of a varsity program. In a sense, the University gets their name out there with baseball because the dominant success of the club program while withholding their investment in a varsity program. To the department it’s a win-win and for kids who played high school ball coming to the University for the school aspect have the luxury of joining a top-notch club program for a small fee. If Wisconsin brought back the varsity program the club program might take a hit in quality. The thing is however, everyone involved in the club program would much rather have a varsity program than continue to dominate club.

• Wisconsin is the only Big Ten school without a varsity baseball program

This point speaks for itself in a lot of ways and while many might already realize that, it should continue to be emphasized. Of the 14 schools in the conference, Wisconsin is the only one without baseball. Given all the athletic success and revenue Wisconsin has brought in the last two decades they still have not reinstated the baseball program. The athletic department cannot see what the other 13 schools in the conference are seeing. UW does not need to worry so much about finances anymore. Baseball can do a lot of good for the school for non-financial reasons.

• The athletic department needs to reconsider its spending strategies

Building off the point prior, the athletic department may need to look at its expenses plan. If there are other Big Ten schools who are bringing in less revenue than Wisconsin, but revenue still nonetheless what are they doing then that allows them to keep a baseball program without concern? UW needs to compare its expenses with other similar schools in the conference and take a page out of their book. Wisconsin can continue raking in heavy revenue while cutting down on its spending.

• The athletic department is in much different shape now than in 1991

This point has been alluded to throughout the list, but it garners its own attention and emphasis. UW’s recent success in sports allows them breathing room to bring back the baseball program even if they will get hit with some financial losses in doing so. When they cut the program, it was because of a variety of legit concerns and it was an urgent move. Yet, Alvarez and others controlling the situation have cited that the program cannot come back today for the same reasons it was cut years ago. It’s a different climate and situation now, if losing money is the only thing keeping Wisconsin baseball from being reborn then the athletic department needs to reconsider some of its values

•  The possibility of a fun, off-campus stadium

Though no doubt a financial dent and concern, the idea of building a new dazzling off-campus baseball stadium would gain a lot of attention and excitement from students and locals who cheer for the Badgers. If set up and marketed the right way Wisconsin could make a splash with this bringing back the program. The amateur league Madison Mallards have gained a following creating a fun baseball atmosphere for their games, and that’s in large part thanks to serving beer. If UW built a beautiful stadium and served beer they will sell a lot of tickets and make a lot of money. Additionally, people could come and tailgate and make a day out of the game as people do with football. Combine this idea with the following the club team already has gained and you will have a lot of people ready and excited for Badger baseball.

This listicle was made with the help of a variety of sources. Club baseball head coach, Jeff Block’s proposal plan for reinstating the baseball program is a primary source that accounted for information all over the list including points #1, #3, #5, #8 and #10. Another primary source, a scholarly article reviewed by Lee Lowenfish for a journal of baseball history and culture is used in #2 talking about how Alvarez deals with baseball lobbyists. An article from SB Nation by Jon Beidelschies titled “Here’s How You Bring Wisconsin Baseball Back” is used as a secondary source in #4 talking about the money needed and the size of the investment. An article by Zach Rosen with Sconnie Sports Talk also aided in developing #5, talking about the talent and interest for high school kids in Wisconsin. I went to the primary source about page for the UW club baseball team for #6 describing the club team and their success. #6 was also aided by the seconday source Bleacher Report article by Kurtis Hardy about the still-existent baseball program at Madison. A secondary source article by Gary D’Amato with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel helped me develop #7 and #9.