Retired judge to lead independent review of UW Athletics official

University of Wisconsin–Madison Interim Chancellor David Ward announced today (Monday, Jan. 9) that retired Dane County Circuit Judge Patrick Fiedler will lead a four-person team to conduct an independent review of a recent allegation of misconduct regarding a UW athletic department official.

Senior Associate Athletic Director John Chadima was placed on administrative leave the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 6, by Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez after an allegation of misconduct was brought forward to university officials. Chadima tendered his resignation later in that day.

Fiedler served as a judge for 18 years and also held the position of United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin from 1987-1991. Also named to the review team by Ward were three retired UW–Madison employees:

• Dale Burke, who served as assistant chief of the UW Police Department as part of a 30-year career on campus.
• Roger Howard, who served as associate dean in the Dean of Students Office for 28 years.
• Yolanda Garza, who served for more than two decades as assistant dean of students in the Student Assistance and Judicial Affairs arm of the Division of Student Life.