ture version of Bucky in 1940 that today's recognizable image of Bucky was adopted. In 1949, a contest was held to name the mascot, but no consensus was reached after only a few entries were received. In reaction, the contest committee chose the name Buckingham U. Badger, or "Bucky," fo

The Wisconsin Badgers most notable rivalry within the Big Ten is with the University of Minnesota, which is the most-played rivalry in Division 1-A football.[128] In their annual college football game, the teams compete for Paul Bunyan's Axe. The two universities also compete in the Border Battle, a year-long athletic competition in which each team's wins earn points for their university.
Men's basketball rivalries include Michigan State, Illinois and non-conference, in-state Marquette.
The long-standing football rivalry between the University of Iowa and Wisconsin–Madison was finally recognized in 2004, with the winner of their game being awarded the Heartland Trophy.
The Wisconsin–Madison men's and women's hockey teams' most recognized rivals are the Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota and the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota. Other rivals include the University of Denver, Colorado College, Michigan Tech, University of Minnesota Duluth, and St. Cloud State.
Mascot[edit]
The school mascot is an anthropomorphized badger named Bucky who dons a sweater affixed with the UW–Madison athletic logo (currently the red "Motion W"). Beginning in 1890, the university's first Bucky Badger was a live, temperamental and unruly badger who was quickly retired. Although the nickname of the Wisconsin teams remained the "Badgers", it was not until Art Evans drew the early caricature version of Bucky in 1940 that today's recognizable image of Bucky was adopted. In 1949, a contest was held to name the mascot, but no consensus was reached after only a few entries were received. In reaction, the contest committee chose the name Buckingham U. Badger, or "Bucky," for short.
At Wisconsin football games in the 1920s live mascots were used to inspire fans. The animals used included a black bear, a bonnet monkey, and live badgers. 1949 was the first year a student sporting a papier-mâché badger head appeared; this subsequently replaced the use of live badgers.[129]
The team's nickname originates from the state nickname. In the 1820s, many lead miners and their families lived in the mines in which they worked until adequate above-ground shelters were built, and thus were compared to badgers.[130]
In 2009, John Fromstein produced "Being Bucky" a documentary that followed the seven Wisconsin students who take on the role of Bucky Badger. The documentary was meant to show the life and background of being a mascot at a major university. "Being Bucky" won "Best Documentary Film" at the Wisconsin Film Fest and went on to play in local Wisconsin movie theaters.[131]
Student life[edit]

Over 750 student organizations or clubs register with the Center for Leadership and Involvement (CFLI) at UW–Madison each year.[132]
All-Campus Party (ACP) Every spring, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) and the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB) put on a free, alcohol alternative, week-long series of events for the entire student body. They partner with local businesses, student organizations, and national corporations to sponsor All-Campus Party (ACP). This is a celebration of University of Wisconsin–Madison for students, created by students. The week includes featured events specifically designed and put together by members of WASB, in addition to many other events put on by the varying sponsors and student organizations. The featured events include:
Breakfast with Bucky- A free, continental, sponsored breakfast for all students. There are multiple locations on campus where breakfast is served to accommodate as many students as possible.
All-Campus Idol- With a format similar to the popu