Local Badgers fans contemplate football program's future

ASHWAUBENON - Plenty of local Badger fans took in the Rose Bowl right here in Wisconsin. And while the outcome was disappointing, many looked towards the future of the program.

"It wouldn't be new years if we weren't here right now,” said Eeeln Buckarma.

Folks gathered at the Green Bay Distillery in Ashwaubenon for a grand New Year's Day tradition:

buddies, beers, and the Badgers—Playing in the team's third straight Rose Bowl.

"The Rose Bowl, it's always like Wisconsin should be there. It just isn't the Rose Bowl without them,” said Buckarma.

Fans were excited to see legendary coach Barry Alvarez back on the field.

“Just to see the King of Wisconsin football,” said Kelly Fitzgerald, the UW Alumni Association Brown County Chapter Organizer. “It’s just pretty neat. It kind of feels natural to see him on the sideline.”

With Gary Anderson hired on as head coach for next season, some fans are worried the team won't be back in Pasadena, soon.

“I was definitely surprised when Brett Bielema left so suddenly. But I don't know a lot about Gary Anderson,” said Corey Kunzer, a UW alumni.

Others say the organization's still going strong.

"It makes you proud of Wisconsin with all they've been doing, because I remember the days when they weren't doing so well and the best thing going for the Badgers was their band,” said Dale Bartel, also a UW alumni.

And if you talk to the littlest Badgers, you'll still find nothing but love for their boys in red and white.

"I just like them best as the team. They do best and they're fun, and I just like them,” said Jackson Backus.

The University of Wisconsin Badgers lost to the Stanford University Cardinal 20 to14 in the 124 ^th annual Rose Bowl.