The Wisconsin Badgers are currently the only Big 10 team without a varsity baseball team. In 1991 the program was discontinued and has been absent ever since. Now 33 years later should they re-visit the idea of returning baseball to UW-Madison?
What obstacles does UW-Madison have to overcome in order for baseball to return?
There is one major hurdle that UW-Madison will have to overcome in order for baseball to return. This pertains to Title IX. Per Doug McLeod, a UW-Madison Athletic Board member, if a baseball team were to make a comeback at the university, another women’s sport would also need to join in order to uphold Title IX.
Money could be another issue preventing the return of Wisconsin Badgers baseball.
Unsurprisingly baseball would not be a money-making sport for the University. Additionally it would take time to put together a competitive enough roster in order to get fans excited about coming out to a game. However the only current Division-1 baseball program in the state is at UW-Milwaukee, so UW-Madison could theoretically attract a lot of in state top end talent from development academies like Silver Sluggers Academy, GRB, and Prospect Training Academy.
Why did Wisconsin Badgers baseball end in 1991?
In 1991 former athletic director Pat Richter was forced to cut the baseball program due to Title IX complaints. There was a disparity between men’s and women’s scholarships, coupled with the fact he inherited a budget that was $2 million in debt.
Follow me on Twitter @tylerkoerth. Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great sports content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!. We cover the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers, and Wisconsin High School Sports.
