Source: Jimmie Kaska | Civic Media
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (WMDX) – The Wisconsin Badgers, for the second straight year, will hold part of its football training camp at UW-Platteville, according to a release from both schools.
The Badgers will practice in Platteville from July 29 through Aug. 12.
One change for this year will be the addition of a practice that will be open to the public. That practice will be on Aug. 10, with a $5 fee for admission charged to people ages 13 and older.
Mike Jacques, WMTV Madison Sports Director, reported last month that the agreement between UW-Madison and UW-Platteville was for three years.
Last year’s training camp came as a welcome surprise for residents of the city of 12,000 people a little more than an hour southwest of Madison. For the most part, people in town might never have known a Division 1 college football program was in town due to little media coverage and closed practices.
Last year, Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell said he was “grateful” for the opportunity to hold part of training camp in Platteville. Fickell praised UWP staff for their accommodation and work in multiple media interviews.
The Badgers will wrap up their stay in Platteville in time for the host school’s own football program to begin their camp at Butch Leitl Field. The UW-Platteville Pioneers finished last year as the champions of the Isthmus Bowl, which is played about 20 minutes from Camp Randall Stadium in Sun Prairie.
UW-Platteville was previously the training camp home of the Chicago Bears from 1984 through 2001. Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium seats about 10,000 fans and was built in 1972.
You can buy tickets to the open Aug. 10 practice on UW-Platteville’s website.