by Jacklin Bolduan
Saturday April 23 will mark the date of the annual UW-Madison Spring Football Game. Each year, the Department of Athletics partners with a different division within the university in an effort to raise awareness about the mission of that division, as well as share a portion of the profits with them. This year, the Department of Athletics will be partnering with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement (DDEEA). Valeria Davis, Senior University Relations Specialist with the division describes its mission:“Our whole division is centered on helping the university to be able to negotiate its diversity better and to give these students the support they need to be successful as full Badgers. And of course this experience is part of what we like to provide for them as well.”
Tickets to the game will only cost $5.00, likely the cheapest seat you’ll ever get at Camp Randall Stadium. A departure from its usual form, the spring game will feature the Badgers’ new fall lineup and the team will showcase their talents in a scrimmage style game. Not only will attendees get a preview of the fall Badger season, they will get to see Badger legend Ron Dayne at the event as well. The Heisman Trophy winner and Honorary Chairperson at the spring game this year, Dayne played all four years for UW-Madison and went on to spend eight years in the NFL where he played for the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans. Davis said Dayne serves as a positive mentor and role model for many of the students in her division.
The DDEEA houses several units under its title such as the Center for Educational Opportunity, the Office for Equity and Diversity, the Office of Multicultural Affairs Initiatives, the Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence, as well as scholarships like First Wave and the Posse Program. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go the division for the continuation and sustainment of these scholarship and student services programs.
During halftime, the division will invite students involved in their scholarships and programs to join them on the field to celebrate them and the spirit they bring to the university.
“We want people to see that our programs really impact a lot of students,” said Davis. She said that the division works hard to emphasize the value of being diverse on a growing college campus.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students in our division to get a chance to have a Badger experience at Camp Randall,” Davis continued. And of course, the division is hoping that every student on campus will attend to help make this the best spring game yet.
Kickoff is at noon and tickets are only $5.00. They can be purchased singularly or in bundles online at uwbadgers.com/football, where you can also find a full list of events. You can find more information about the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement online as well at diversity.wisc.edu.