College Sports Established
1896
Location
Madison, Wisconsin
College Name
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1907 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
1896 – Present / Big 10 Conference
Nickname
Badgers - The University of Wisconsin is home to one of the most successful NCAA teams in the country: The Wisconsin Badgers. As fans, we know this team has a long and proud history, but many may not know how they came to be known as “Badgers.”
It all started in 1889 when UW students sought a nickname for their athletic teams. At first, they considered names like Bumblebees and Antelopes before eventually settling on "Badger," inspired by the miners who had settled in southwestern Wisconsin during the 1820s and 1830s. These miners were so harsh that locals referred to them as badgers!
From there, it didn't take long for "Badger" to become an official mascot at UW sporting events. It wasn't until 1949 that a live badger named Regdab (short for Registered Badger) debuted at football games - he quickly became a fan favorite! Since then, Regdab has been joined by numerous other live mascots over the years, including Buckingham U., Queen Bess II & III, Chauncey T., Abraham Van Halen III & IV, Reveille V & VI, Miss Wisky VII-XI. With such a rich tradition behind them, it's no wonder why Badgers are synonymous with success both on and off the field!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 1
1941
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 1
1995
- 1941
- 1950
- 1995
- 2015
- 2020
- 2022
-
1941 Basketball NCAA Champions
In 1941, Foster led the Badgers to their only NCAA Championship in history. With the help of tournament MOP John Kotz and All-American Gene Englund, the Badgers beat Washington State 39–34 in the final game of the NCAA Tournament. It was their first-ever invitation to the NCAA Tournament, after winning the Big Ten Championship in that year. Foster coached three ... -
Badgers baseball team won the Big Ten Conference championships
The Wisconsin Badgers baseball team won the Big Ten Conference championships in 1902, 1912, 1930, 1946, and 1950. -
Soccer NCAA Champs in 1995
The 1995 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament was the 36th organized men’s college soccer tournament by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, to determine the top college soccer team in the United States. The Wisconsin Badgers won their first national title by defeating the Duke Blue Devils in the championship game, 2–0. The semifinals, on December 8, 1995, and the ... -
Badgers basketball team NCAA tournament Final Four Apppearance
The Wisconsin Badgers basketball team has made it to the NCAA tournament Final Four four times (1941, 2000, 2014, 2015). -
Wisconsin Win Big Ten Men’s Basketball Championship
In 2020, The Wisconsin men’s basketball team clinched a share of the 2019-20 Big Ten Championship after defeating Indiana, 60-56, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon. The Badgers finished the season with a 14-6 record in Big Ten play en route to their 19th Big Ten Championship and first since 2015. -
The Wisconsin Badgers 2021-22 Big Ten Champions
The Wisconsin Badgers basketball team has won 20 regular season Big Ten titles.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are one of the most storied teams in NCAA history. With a long and rich tradition of success, they have become a household name among college sports fans across the country, often facing off against their rivalry team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers. From their first game in 1889 to today, the Badgers have been integral to NCAA athletics for over 130 years.
Throughout its illustrious history, Wisconsin has seen some fantastic moments on and off the field that will be remembered forever by fans worldwide. The Badgers won three national championships (1917-18, 1942-43 & 1998-99) during this span as well as numerous conference titles throughout multiple conferences, including Big Ten Conference Championships from 1993–94 through 2000–01 and Big 12 Conference Championships from 2001–02 through 2011–12 seasons. In addition to these successes on paper, some legendary players such as Ron Dayne (1999 Heisman Trophy Winner), Pat Richter (1972 Outland Trophy Winner), Melvin Gordon III (2014 Doak Walker Award winner ), and Russell Wilson(2012 Rose Bowl MVP) gracefully graced Camp Randall Stadium with their presence while playing for Wisconsin.
On top of all these accomplishments, both past and present, Wisconsin is also known for its passionate fan base, which includes students who attend games dressed up in traditional red attire commonly referred to as "the sea of red" or simply just “Red.” This passionate support has earned them recognition nationally, being awarded ESPN's Best College Football Atmosphere award twice since 2003. As you can see, there is no shortage when discussing why so many people love rooting for this team, both near home and afar! So if you're looking into cheering on one team, come out strong with your friends sporting your favorite gear supporting that beloved badger!
Sports Fan Products
