[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 106 (Friday, July 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE ENSHRINEMENT OF COACH BARRY ALVAREZ INTO THE COLLEGE 
                         FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 15, 2011

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the enshrinement of 
Coach Barry Alvarez into the College Football Hall of Fame. Offering 
more then just winning strategy, our Coach has come to epitomize Badger 
athletics.
  In the four seasons prior to the Coach's arrival in 1990, our 
football team was 9-36 and struggled to fill historic Camp Randall 
Stadium with fans. However, Coach Alvarez's innovative coaching 
techniques breathed new life into Wisconsin's football program and 
quickly reignited our community's passion for the team. As Head 
Football Coach for sixteen seasons from 1990 to 2005, Coach Alvarez 
distinguished himself as the winningest coach in school history. In 
2004, Coach Alvarez also became the University's Director of Athletics, 
a position he continues to hold since retiring as Head Football Coach 
in 2005.
  Enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame is no easy feat. 
Nominated coaches have won at least 60 percent of games over a minimum 
ten year and 100 game head coaching career, an accomplishment very few 
ever achieve. Coach Alvarez's resume also boasts an overall record of 
118-73-4, three Big Ten Conference Championships and three Rose Bowl 
victories. Furthermore, he has the highest bowl game winning percentage 
for a coach with at least 11 bowl appearances and is the only coach in 
Big Ten history with back-to-back Rose Bowl wins. In 2009, he was 
inducted into both the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and the Rose 
Bowl Hall of Fame and finally, on May 27, 2010, Coach Alvarez was 
unanimously selected by his peers to join the 2010 class of the College 
Football Hall of Fame.
  While Coach Alvarez achieved exceptional success on the football 
field, we must also acknowledge his wider contributions to the 
University and the people of Wisconsin. His commitment to the education 
of student-athletes during his tenure is inspirational. During his 
first year as Director of Athletics in 1996, Badger student-athletes 
registered the highest cumulative grade-point average on record. In 
2000, Coach Alvarez and his wife, Cindy, created a $250,000 endowment 
scholarship at the University of Wisconsin helping to ensure that 
student-athletes are better prepared to become fully participating 
adults in our democracy.
  Coach Alvarez remains committed to the advancement of Badger student-
athletes, the Athletic Department and the entire University of 
Wisconsin. He selflessly dedicates his time, talents and resources to 
improving the lives of those around him. With Coach Alvarez's 
influence, athletics will continue to hold a prominent place at the 
University of Wisconsin. The contributions of such a legendary figure 
ensure that Badger fans in our community, across the state of Wisconsin 
and nationwide can stand proudly and cheer, ``On Wisconsin!''

                          ____________________