Badgers Accept Rose Bowl Invite

The Wisconsin Badgers accepted an invitation Wednesday to play in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day in Pasadena, Calif.

The Tournament of Roses committee formally issued the bowl bid, which "we accepted with great enthusiasm," said University of Wisconsin sports information director Steve Malchow.

"It's a special experience for everyone involved - our players, coaches and especially the fans," he said.

Wisconsin virtually assured the bowl invitation when it beat Penn State 24-3 last week and Ohio State defeated Michigan. That left Wisconsin with a share of the conference championship with a 7-1 Big Ten record and 10-1 overall mark.

The opponent in the bowl game has yet to be determined.

The Badgers will make their second Rose Bowl appearance in five years.

Wisconsin previously participated in 1953, 1960, 1963 and 1994, when they beat UCLA 21-16 for the Badgers' only Rose Bowl victory as quarterback Darrell Bevell ran 21 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

"The Rose Bowl is the greatest venue in college sports and the game itself is a remarkable experience," said Badgers coach Barry Alvarez in a news release.

"We are thrilled to get another chance to play in the granddaddy of them all," he said.

Alvarez was on his way out of town and could not be reached for further comment Wednesday, Malchow said.

Alvarez will receive bonuses of 20 percent of his base salary for the accomplishments. He'll receive $7,600 for winning the conference and another $22,780 for his team's bowl appearance, said Kip Marvin, UW athletic department personnel director.

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