Aug. 27, 2012
MADISON, Wis. -- Starting with the season-opener on Sept. 1, Badgers football fans are invited to visit the official pregame event of Wisconsin Athletics, Badgerville, presented by Johnsonville and Merkt's.
Gates open 2 1/2 hours before kickoff. Badgerville is located on the grass field just north of Camp Randall Stadium along Breese Terrace.
Badgerville features great entertainment including live music featuring such local bands as "Mighty Short Bus," "Pilot," "Lucas Cates Band," "BoB Rocks Band" and the "Red Hot Horn Dawgs."
Badgerville will also have an appearance by members of the UW Band, UW Spirit Squad and Bucky Badger. There will also be activities for kids, including inflatable games.
Badger fans can meet UW teams with the "Team of the Week". Each week a Badger athletic team will be on hand to sign autographs and mingle with fans. Scheduled to appear this season are men's and women's basketball, men's and women's hockey, men's soccer and volleyball.
There will also be all-time Badger greats on hand each week. Currently scheduled to appear are Badger greats Cory Raymer, Matt Shaughnessy, and Chris Pressley. Fans can keep track of other college football action on a big screen videoboard.
Fans looking to grab a bite to eat before the game will be in luck at Badgerville. A wide selection of food, beer and other beverages will be available.
Famous Dave's will be serving its legendary barbeque. Noodles & Company will be on the menu along with Panchero's burritos. And, of course, no football pregame event would be complete without hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and Wisconsin's own Johnsonville Brats.
Badgerville will be available to fans before the first six home games. Here are some of the features for each week:
Sept. 1 - Northern Iowa
• Gates open at Noon
• Badger Legend: Cory Raymer
• Team of the Week: Women's Basketball
• Live entertainment by Pilot
• Event ends at 2:15 p.m.
Sept. 15 - Utah State
• Gates Open at 4:30 p.m.
• Badger Legend: Joe Stellmacher
• Team of the Week: Women's Hockey
• Live entertainment by BoB Rocks Band
• Event ends at 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 22 - UTEP
• Gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff (Game time yet to be set)
• Badger Legend: TBA
• Team of the Week: Men's Soccer
• Live entertainment by The Red Hot Horn Dawgs
• Event ends 15 minutes before kickoff (Game time yet to be set)
Oct. 6 - Illinois
• Gates open at Noon
• Badger Legend: TBA
• Team of the Week Men's Basketball
• Live entertainment by Mighty Short Bus
• Event ends at 2:15 p.m.
Oct. 20 Minnesota
• Gates Open 2.5 hours before kickoff (Game time yet to be set)
• Badger Legend: Matt Shaughnessy
• Team of the Week: Men's Hockey
• Live entertainment by The Lucas Cates Band
• Event ends 15 minutes before kickoff (Game time yet to be set)
Oct. 27 - Michigan State
• Gates open at Noon
• Badger Legend: Chris Pressley
• Team of the Week: Volleyball
• Live entertainment by "Mighty Short Bus"
• Event ends at 2:15 p.m.
Wisconsin Athletics and the National W Club will host the Badger Blast/Chili Kickoff event before the Ohio State game on Nov. 17. This event will be held in the UW Field House beginning 2 1/2 hours before kickoff.
Follow all the latest news about Badgerville with the new Wisconsin Football Gameday App available in the Apple App Store and soon on Android devices at Google Play.
