Despite the "first increase in prices in four years," season-ticket renewals for Univ. of Wisconsin football have "essentially held steady," according to Todd Milewski of the Madison CAPITAL TIMES. UW Associate AD/External Relations Justin Doherty said that the renewal rate of 95.1% "is up slightly" from the 95% reported in '13. The UW Athletic Board "approved a $3 per game price hike for the coming season, taking the price of a full-season ticket package to $315, not including a required Badger Fund donation." Doherty said, "I think most schools would be thrilled with a renewal rate of season tickets that high and a student section that sells out in 55 minutes." He added that UW "got requests for 1,567 new season ticket packages for the upcoming season" (MADISON.com, 6/24).
DEPARTMENTAL COSTS: In Wisconsin, Andy Baggot noted since UW AD Barry Alvarez assumed the role 10 years ago, the school's operating budget has "more than doubled" from $59.8M in '04-05 to $127.5M in '13-14. UW Athletics has built $130M worth of "new academic and training facilities" to go along with the $109.5M "renovation of Camp Randall Stadium" that was completed in '05. Alvarez said, "Right now is a very unique time in this business because of the changes. Everyone’s sitting out there; none of us knows what’s going to happen with the NCAA. ... There’s obviously -- and rightfully so -- an emphasis on student welfare (and) doing more things for the student-athlete." He added, "All of us are sitting here saying, ‘Where does it go? Can we all support it?’ It’s going to cost more money for all of us to do it. So, right now, I don’t say it’s harder, but there’s more change" (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 6/25).
