Pat Richter's Major Accomplishments

When then-UW-Madison Chancellor Donna E. Shalala made the call to Pat Richter to take reins of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1989, the department was battling financial shortfalls, decaying equipment and facilities and loss of fan support. In the 14-plus years that Richter supervised the division's daily activities, the gains have been barely short of miraculous. Listed below are some of the accomplishments during Richter's tenure.

• After inheriting a $2.1 million budget deficit, Richter established financial priorities that have resulted in a present reserve of $6.4 million;

• Faced with a complaint to the Office for Civil Rights, Richter led a 12-year battle to get the department in compliance with Title IX legislation. With the addition of three women's sports (softball, lightweight crew and hockey) and a roster management plan, the department achieved compliance in 2001;

• Richter's department also received NCAA Certification in 1996 and 2001, which means the institution operates its athletics program properly in the areas of academic integrity, rules compliance, fiscal responsibility and commitment to equity;

• Under his direction, the school built the Kohl Center, University Ridge Golf Course, the Fetzer Academic Learning Center, the Goodman Softball Diamond, renovated the McClimon Track/Soccer Complex, and recently began renovation of Camp Randall Stadium;

• On the field of play, Wisconsin won three national championships (men's hockey in 1989-90, men's rowing in 1989-90 and men's soccer in 1995) and 49 Big Ten championships; The football team played in eight bowl games, including three victories in the Rose Bowl, and the men's and women's basketball teams have played in six NCAA Tournaments each -- including a men's Final Four berth in 2000;

• The Wisconsin Athletic Department annually ranks among the nation's top 25 All-Sports Programs in the Sears' Directors' Cup (sponsored by NACDA) and The Sporting News ranked UW's Athletic Program 10th nationally in a 2001 poll;

• The institution has earned a reputation as a successful host for NCAA post-season play, having run national championships in women's golf, women's volleyball and men's hockey, as well as the 2002 men's basketball Midwest Regional;

• Wisconsin student-athletes, during the 1990s, earned more Academic All-Big Ten honors than any other school in the conference.