March has become a month when Wisconsin celebrates the muscle of its athletic department. The last 14 years the Badgers have played in a college football bowl game and then qualified for the NCAA men's basketball tournament. It is the longest streak in NCAA history.
The Wisconsin athletic department posted a graphic highlighting the streak to its Facebook page on Monday. The post recorded nearly 20,000 likes and received over 400 comments.
The run started in 2002-2003 and continued this year when Wisconsin football played in the Holiday Bowl followed by the men's basketball team's 18th straight NCAA tournament berth. The Badgers play Pittsburgh in the Round of 64 on Friday.
Since the start of the 1996 season, Wisconsin's men's basketball and football teams have combined for more bowl and NCAA tournament appearances than any other school. Each team has 19 postseason appearances for a total of 38.
Wisconsin passed Texas for longest streak, last season. Texas qualified for 12 straight bowls/NCAA tournaments from 1998-1999 to 2009-2010. Michigan State holds an active streak of nine consecutive years (2007-2008 to present). Florida also did it nine straight years (1998-1999 to 2006-2007).
Some Wisconsin fans aren't totally satisfied, though, while others are grateful for the rise of Badgers athletics. Here are some of the Facebook comments:
"This is why Wisconsin is, without question, the most consistent athletic program in the country. Simply put, they are just really good every year. ON WISCONSIN! !"
-Dennis Singer
"I grew up in the 70s with the Badgers. Anyone remembering those times has got to be truly amazed by the statistic in the title of this article! On Wisconsin!!!!"
Joe Lehman
