MADISON, WI (WSAU-WRN) — The University of Wisconsin has begun a phased reopening process as football and volleyball student-athletes are returning to campus to prepare for the fall season.
Deputy Athletic Director Chris McIntosh appeared on the Mike Heller show this week on Madison’s Fox Sports 1070 The Game where he said even if those upcoming revenue sports seasons are altered, the department should be ready to roll with it.
“We aren’t known for investing in lavish or flashy facilities, and we aren’t known to frivolously manage our resources,” said McIntosh. “I think we’ve bee pretty good with our resources.”
He says as of now there are no plans to alter the football season, which begins on September 4th at home against Indiana. There has also been no discussion about changing venues for the Badger’s big non-conference date with Notre Dame in Green Bay.
“We have not participated in discussions to move that game anywhere but Lambeau Field, so that is the plan [to play there],” he said.
The game at Lambeau is the first of a two-game contract between the Irish and Badgers. Despite the game being played in Wisconsin, it is Notre Dame’s home date, therefore, the game will be broadcast on NBC but both teams will split ticket revenue. Wisconsin’s home date in the contract will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2021.
As of now, the school has not released its 2020 volleyball schedule. The Badgers are coming off an appearance in the Division I national championship match where they lost to Stanford.
Should student-athletes come down with COVID-19 while on campus, McIntosh says they will be subject to the same protocols that anyone else would. “We make a promise to them and their parents that we’ll take care of them. So we will support them through that and make sure they have everything they need.”
McIntosh adds that just like in any other industry he and the rest of the team are taking notes and learning as they go in hopes that the lessons learned now can be useful later.
