The University of Wisconsin will not take advantage of the NCAA's decision to allow all spring sport athletes to return next year for another season of eligibility.
Athletic director Barry Alvarez made the surprising announcing during a radio interview with WIBA of Madison Thursday.
Wisconsin is the first school to announce it will not take part in the ruling brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"What we tried to do was encourage our seniors to go ahead and, if you're going to graduate, graduate and move on with your life," Alvarez said. "We appreciate everything that you've done. But move forward. The future is in question, and we can't promise you anything."
Wisconsin’s athletic department later confirmed the news to the Wisconsin State Journal, writing in part, "we made the decision to not pursue waivers that would extend the eligibility of our senior student-athletes. Student-athletes in their fourth year of eligibility have concluded their careers with us."