Statement from Barry Alvarez

—Head Football Coach, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"I am personally grateful to Pat Richter because he had faith in me as a football coach to hire me in 1990. He had a vision for the success that this school could achieve, and he worked hard to provide the resources and develop a climate for success in the UW-Madison Athletic Department. The most important thing about Pat, however, is that he's a good friend. As I begin to take on some new challenges, it's comforting to know that he'll be available for specific consultation or just to listen. Pat has been a great boss, and I hope that my tenure as Athletic Director came be as positive for the department and its fans as Pat's 14 years in charge."