Everything You May Not Know about Wisconsin and the Badgers

There are few traditions that run as deep as Wisconsin Badgers pride. But there are some things you may not know about the team’s history. You’ll need to look at the miners in the 1820s or the roaring crowds at Camp Randall to find – the badger has long been a symbol of grit, history, and state spirit.

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Listen to this “Slice of Wisconsin” about the Badgers:

The “Badgers” nickname didn’t actually begin with animals. In the early 1820s, Wisconsin lead miners often lacked proper shelter in the winter. They dug into the hillsides where they worked to survive, carving out tunnels for warmth and rest. Locals said the miners were “living like badgers,” and the nickname stuck. Later, when the University of Wisconsin kicked off its first football season in the 1890s, it officially adopted the Badgers name. This decision forever linked the mascot to both the state and its flagship university.

The team introduced its first mascot that same year – it was a live badger. Fierce, unpredictable, and ultimately unmanageable, the animal was soon retired to the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison. University officials then experimented with a substitute mascot. It was a raccoon affectionately named “Regdab”—that’s “badger” spelled backwards. But neither idea satisfied the fans.

The true turning point came in 1949, when a student created what turned into a papier-mâché mascot. The character’s name came from a campus contest and Buckingham U. Badger, quickly shortened to “Bucky,” was born. 

Bucky Badger became one of the most recognizable college mascots with his signature scowl and spirited personality. He has been a fixture representing Wisconsin sports traditions ever since.

Meanwhile, on the field, the Badgers quickly carved out their football legacy. The inaugural season ended with losses, but just a year later Wisconsin claimed its first victory in emphatic fashion, defeating an opponent 106–0. The celebration didn’t last long, however, as the team endured a 63–0 loss to the University of Minnesota the next week. It also marks the start of a rivalry that remains one of the oldest and fiercest in college football. Wisconsin became the first-ever champion of the newly formed Big Ten Conference in 1896, setting the stage for more than a century of competition at the highest level.

Their home games are played at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football. It’s where generations of fans have gathered to celebrate victories, honor tradition, and rally behind Bucky.

Wisconsin football has continued to produce historic moments and legendary players. Running backs Alan Ameche in 1954 and Ron Dayne in 1999 both brought home the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Twelve former Badgers have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The program itself is also among the elite, ranking as one of just 26 in the country to achieve more than 700 all-time victories. And since the 1990s, Wisconsin has been one of the most consistently successful teams in the nation, a testament to its enduring strength and tradition.

Today, Wisconsin’s mascot and football program stands as enduring symbols of resilience and pride. From miners digging into the hillsides for shelter to the roar of more than 80,000 fans at Camp Randall on game day, the story of the Badgers is more than football history—it is truly a “Slice of Wisconsin” worth celebrating.

You can listen to Badgers Football broadcast live on these local Civic Media radio stations:

107.5 WLAK in Amery

93.1 WRPN in Ripon

107.7 WRCE in Richland Center

97.5 WFHR in Wisconsin Rapids