MADISON, Wis. – Barry Alvarez, the University of Wisconsin's Director of Athletics since 2004, has signed a contract extension through January 31, 2021.

Alvarez's new agreement went into effect on Sept. 1 and was the result of a successful performance review with UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank.

"Barry has achieved great success as a coach and our athletic director," Blank said. "The whole state is proud of the Badgers. We look forward to having him continue to lead Wisconsin Athletics for years to come."

Alvarez's extension is standard and related to the terms of his original contract, which extends his deal by one additional year after every successful performance review.

The Wisconsin athletic department has enjoyed tremendous success during Alvarez's tenure in Madison. In addition to the 16 seasons he coached the Badger football program (during which he guided UW to three Big Ten championships and a school-record 119 victories), Wisconsin has won 56 conference titles and 14 national championships during his years as director of athletics. Off the field, Wisconsin student-athletes have achieved a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average consistently since 2009-10, with more than 1,300 of them earning academic All-Big Ten recognition.

Three of Wisconsin's fall sports programs (football, volleyball and men's cross country) are currently ranked in the top 10 nationally.