Editor’s note: Barry Alvarez will retire as the Wisconsin athletic director June 30. The State Journal asked some of those who have worked closely with him during his 31 years at the university as football coach and AD to share their thoughts about their time working together. This is part one in the eight-part series.
Three men were at the center of the Big Ten Conference’s biggest decisions for more than 15 years. Conference commissioner Jim Delaney, University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez and Ohio State AD Gene Smith helped guide the Big Ten through expansion, the launch of the Big Ten Network and other moves that changed the landscape of college athletics.