| Northwestern Wildcats | |
 | |
| University | Northwestern University |
|---|---|
| Conference | Big Ten |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletics director | James J. Division I (or D-I) is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the United States Phillips |
| Location | Evanston, IL |
| Varsity teams | 19 varsity teams |
| Football stadium | Ryan Field |
| Basketball arena | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Mascot | Willie the Wildcat |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
| Fight song | Go U Northwestern |
| Colors | Purple and White
|
| Homepage | www.nusports.com |
The Northwestern Wildcats are the athletic teams that represent Northwestern University, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference, and the only private university member. Evanston Illinois is an affluent suburban Chicago Municipality on Lake Michigan on the North Shore in Cook County, Illinois directly The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. Ryan Field is a Stadium in Evanston Illinois, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Northwestern Willie the Wildcat is the Mascot for the Northwestern University Wildcats. The "Go U Northwestern" is one of the Fight songs of Northwestern University. Northwestern has eight men's and eleven women's Division I sports teams. The mascot is Willie the Wildcat. Willie the Wildcat is the Mascot for the Northwestern University Wildcats. The athletics director is former Northern Illinois University A. D. Jim Phillips, who will take office in April.
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Origin of the name
Northwestern's athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats. Before 1924, they were known as "The Purple" and unofficially as "The Fighting Methodists. Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. " The name Wildcats was bestowed upon the university in 1924 by Wallace Abbey, a writer for the Chicago Daily Tribune who wrote that even in a loss to the University of Chicago, "Football players had not come down from Evanston; wildcats would be a name better suited to Coach Glenn Thistletwaite's boys. The Chicago Tribune is a major daily Newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and owned by the Tribune Company The University of Chicago is a Private university located principally in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Glenn F Thistlethwaite was a College football Head coach. From 1922 to 1926 he served as the head football coach at Northwestern, where he " The team was also referred to in the article as "a Purple wall of wildcats. " [1] The name was so popular that university board members made "Wildcats" the official nickname just months later.
History
Northwestern's athletic history has been somewhat lamentable, though there have been signs of a turnaround in the last decade. The Northwestern Wildcats football team once had the longest losing streak in NCAA Division I-A history at 34 games. The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations The men's basketball team has never made it to the NCAA tournament. The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single elimination Tournament held each spring featuring 65 College basketball teams in the Through even the roughest years, though, the school continued to field competitive teams in the so-called "non-revenue" sports, including tennis and swimming. Moreover, in the last decade, the school has begun to put many of its athletic woes behind it. Notable programs that are usually ranked in the Top 20 include men's swimming, and women's tennis, fencing and lacrosse. The football team has appeared in several bowl games since 1995, and the men's basketball team has made occasional appearances in the postseason, as well. The Northwestern women's lacrosse team has won three consecutive national championships (2005 ,2006 , and 2007). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Northwestern women's softball team finished 2nd nationally in 2006, after losing to Arizona in the title game series of the Women's College World Series. The Northwestern Wildcats Softball team is a NCAA Division I College softball team and part of the Big Ten Conference Athletic program The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA 's Division I-A in the Pacific Ten Conference.
Traditions
During football games, students jingle their car keys before every kickoff and punt. This began as an arrogant taunt; Big Ten rivals often bested Northwestern at football, and the keys implied "while your school may win the football game, in a few years your school's graduates will be parking Northwestern graduates' cars. " When Northwestern is on defense, students extend their arms, make a claw with their hands, and growl.
The Northwestern student section is led in their cheers by NUMB, the Northwestern University Marching Band. The Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band (NUMB is the Marching band of Northwestern University. NUMB performs on the field and in the stands at all home games and follows the football team to one Big Ten away game per season.
For many years, students would throw marshmallows at the kick-off of football games. Northwestern archivist Patrick Quinn says that students were likely "trying to get them into the tubas, and then started throwing them at each other," leading to the tradition of throwing marshmallows at the field. While Gary Barnett was football coach, he banned marshmallows because they supposedly detracted from the serious level of football that he wanted for the school. Gary Barnett (born May 23, 1946 in Lakeland FL) is a college football Head coach.
The "official" cheer at Northwestern sporting events is the chant "Go U! NU!" Students also commonly taunt opposing sports teams with "State-school, state-school," referencing that all institutions of the Big Ten conference, except for Northwestern, are public universities.
Northwestern's fight song is "Go U Northwestern" A secondary fight song is "Rise Northwestern (Push On Song)," the final 4-measure tag (ending with a shouted "Go, 'Cats!") of which is often played after first downs. A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term referring to a Song associated with a team The "Go U Northwestern" is one of the Fight songs of Northwestern University.
Football
The Northwestern University football team has evidence of organization in 1876. The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Year 1876 ( MDCCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Northwestern achieved an all-time high rank of #1 during the 1936 and 1962 seasons, which has thus far not been duplicated. Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Northwestern has won one bowl game, the Rose Bowl, in 1949. The Rose Bowl Game is an annual American College football Bowl game, usually played on January 1 ( New Year's Day) at the Rose Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After that, the team languished in decades of mediocrity. The team achieved notoriety with a 34-game losing streak from 1979-1982, the longest in Division I-A, now Division I FBS, college football. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Upon setting the new record in 1981 (thanks to a 61-14 home loss to Michigan State), students rushed the field to "celebrate" and chanted "We're the worst!", ending the festivities by tearing down the goalposts and throwing them into Lake Michigan. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 The Michigan State Spartans football program competes in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. A win over Northern Illinois finally broke the losing streak. Northern Illinois University (NIU is a Public university located in DeKalb Illinois.
The surprising 1995 team, under head coach Gary Barnett, won the Big Ten conference and earned a bid to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Gary Barnett (born May 23, 1946 in Lakeland FL) is a college football Head coach. The USC Trojans football program established in 1888, is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Division The following season, the Wildcats shared the Big Ten conference title with Ohio State and earned a berth in the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Ohio State University ( OSU) is a Coeducational public Research university in the state of Ohio. The Florida Citrus Bowl (formerly Orlando Stadium, Tangerine Bowl and the Citrus Bowl) is a Stadium in Orlando Florida,
The football team's rankings of 21 by the AP Poll and 23 by the Coaches Poll in 2005 marked the team's first appearance in a national poll in 4 years. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Wildcats finished the year ranked 25 in the BCS rankings and lost against UCLA in the Sun Bowl. The Bowl Championship Series ( BCS) is a selection system designed to give the top two teams in the NCAA FBS Bowl Subdivision System an opportunity to compete in a "national The UCLA Bruins football program competes in NCAA Division I-A and is a member of the Pacific-10 Conference. The Sun Bowl is an annual College football Bowl game that is played usually at the end of December in El Paso Texas.
Around 10pm on June 29, 2006, the program was struck with tragedy when coach Randy Walker died of an apparent heart attack. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Randy J Walker ( May 29 1954 – June 29 2006) was the head football coach of the Northwestern University Wildcats On July 7 the school named Pat Fitzgerald, an All-America linebacker on the 1995 team, head coach. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death See also Patrick Fitzgerald. Pat Fitzgerald (born in Orland Park Illinois) is the current head coach of the Northwestern University
Northwestern holds the all-time records for Division I-A/FBS losses, points allowed, and negative point differential (amount opponents have outscored them by). They are also on the losing end of the greatest comeback in Division I-A/FBS history, blowing a 38-3 lead in the third quarter of a 41-38 loss to Michigan State on October 21, 2006. The 2006 edition of the Michigan State Spartans / Northwestern Wildcats football game featured the biggest comeback in NCAA history The Michigan State Spartans football program competes in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.
The Wildcats play their home games at Ryan Field. Ryan Field is a Stadium in Evanston Illinois, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Northwestern Their chief Big Ten rival is the Illinois Fighting Illini, and the teams play annually for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major College football program Additional information Illinois-Northwestern Series History
Basketball
The men's basketball team has never earned a bid to the NCAA tournament, and its last conference championship came in 1933, when it tied with Ohio State. The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single elimination Tournament held each spring featuring 65 College basketball teams in the Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Ohio State University 's intercollegiate sports teams and players are called the "Buckeyes" (after the state tree the Buckeye) and participate in the NCAA The last time the team made the NIT was 1999. The National Invitation Tournament (NIT is a men's college Basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The team plays its home games in Welsh-Ryan Arena, where it is cheered on by the Wildside student section. Welsh-Ryan Arena is an 8117-seat multi-purpose Arena in Evanston Illinois. The Northwestern Wildcats are the athletic teams that represent Northwestern University, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference, and the only private Bill Carmody is the current coach of the Wildcats. Bill Carmody ( December 4, 1951 –) is an American college men's basketball coach Under Carmody, a former head coach at Princeton, the team runs the Princeton offense. Princeton University is a private Coeducational research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. The Princeton offense is an offensive Basketball strategy which emphasizes constant motion passing back-door cuts and disciplined teamwork
Women's Lacrosse
In 2008 Northwestern won the national championship in women's lacrosse for the fourth year in a row. The annual NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top women's Lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, In 2007 the team joined Maryland as the only other school to three-peat. The University of Maryland College Park (often referred to as The University of Maryland UMD, UMCP or simply Maryland) is a public research The run started in 2005, when the team enjoyed a perfect season and defeated many long-established east-coast schools after only five years as a varsity sport to capture the school's first national championship since 1941. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In doing so, it became the westernmost institution to ever win the title. Soon after, the team made national news when members appeared in a White House photo with President Bush wearing thong sandals, or flip-flops. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. In Footwear and Fashion, flip-flops (also known as thongs, jandals, slippers, or pluggers) are a flat backless usually In their three championship seasons, the Wildcats have a 62-2 record. [2]
In 2006 and 2007, Kristen Kjellman received the Tewaaraton Trophy, which honors the best collegiate lacrosse player in the country. The Tewaaraton Trophy is an award given to the top American College Lacrosse player since 2001. She was the first player from a non-East coast school to win the distinction, and the first player to be a two-time winner. [3] Midfielder Hannah Nielsen received the award in 2008. [4]
Golf
Luke Donald, an Englishman who has recently been in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings, attended Northwestern, winning the NCAA title in 1999. Biography Born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, Donald and his brother Christian played junior golf at Hazlemere and Beaconsfield Golf Clubs - Christian now England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Official World Golf Rankings is a system for rating the performance level of male professional Golfers.
Softball
The Northwestern softball program began in 1976 and has amassed 5 Big Ten championships, 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, and 5 appearances in the Women's college World series- including 2007 and their national runner-up performance 2006. The Northwestern Wildcats Softball team is a NCAA Division I College softball team and part of the Big Ten Conference
Rivalries
Yearly, Northwestern and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign compete in football for the rights to the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of Additional information Illinois-Northwestern Series History Northwestern fans have cultivated strong rivalries with many Big Ten Conference foes, including Iowa and, particularly, Wisconsin. The University of Iowa, is a major teaching service and Research university located on a campus in Iowa City Iowa, on the banks of the Iowa River The rivalry with Wisconsin, the Big Ten conference school geographically closest to the Evanston campus, has grown stronger in recent years, though there is currently no official trophy for the football game. Although the schools rarely play there has been discussion in starting a rivalry game with Northern Illinois University to help boost attendance and interest during the non-conference schedule.
2005-2006
The 2005-2006 academic year was one of the best athletic seasons in Northwestern University's history. The football team capped a 7-5 season and third place finish in the Big Ten with a bid to the Sun Bowl. The Sun Bowl is an annual College football Bowl game that is played usually at the end of December in El Paso Texas. Following the women's lacrosse team's second National Championship, the Women's doubles tennis team of Christelle Grier and Alexis Prousis won the National Championship as well. The Women's Softball team made an incredible run to the finals of the Women's College World Series, finishing in second place.
In May 2006 the website BadJocks.com republished photos a reader had found on Webshots of the women's soccer team hazing its freshmen. BadJockscom is a Website that covers sports-related misconduct and crime at all levels from professional to children's by not only the athletes themselves Webshots is a large free online Photo sharing site owned by American Greetings. A freshman, fresher, fish, or frosh is a first-year student in an educational institution The whole team was suspended for a time as a result and in the wake of the incident Head Coach Jenny Haigh resigned. Since, Athletic Director Mark Murphy named Stephanie Erickson, the school's all-time leader in goals and points, as Haigh's replacement.
Notable Alumni
- Mike Adamle, football player and sportscaster
- Damien Anderson, (St. Louis Rams)
- Darnell Autry, football player and actor (Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles)
- Louis Ayeni, football player (Indianapolis Colts)
- Brett Basanez, football player (Carolina Panthers)
- D'Wayne Bates, football player (Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings)
- Kevin Bentley, (Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks)
- Scott Brownley[5], former football player, now stand up comedian
- Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers football player
- Barry Cofield, New York Giants Defensive Lineman
- Luke Donald, golfer
- John L. "Paddy" Driscoll, football player
- Evan Eschmeyer, former basketball player
- Trai Essex, football player (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Pat Fitzgerald, former 2-time All-American football player, current Northwestern head football coach
- Barry Gardner, football player (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Joe Girardi, former baseball player, Former Manager of the Florida Marlins and Current Manager of the New York Yankees
- Jim Golliday, track
- Brian Gowens, football player (Chicago Bears)
- Otto Graham, football and basketball player (Cleveland Browns and Rochester Royals)
- JA Happ, baseball player
- Napoleon Harris, football player (Oakland Raiders)and (Minnesota Vikings)
- Noah Herron, football player (Green Bay Packers)
- John Kidd, football player (Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and New York Jets)
- Mark Loretta, baseball player
- Todd Martin, tennis player
- Matt O'Dwyer, football player
- Brad North, soccer player (DC United)
- Jeff Roehl, football player
- Steve Tasker, football player (Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills)
- Rick Telander, sportswriter, author of "Heaven is a Playground"
- Jason Wright, football player (Cleveland Browns)
References
- ^ Abbey, Wallace. Michael David Adamle (born October 4 1949) is a sports personality and former National Football League player Damien Anderson (born July 17, 1979 in Wilmington Illinois) is a Canadian football Running back for the Edmonton Eskimos The St Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St Harrington Darnell Autry (born June 19, 1976 in Tempe Arizona) is a former American football player who played College football The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis Indiana. Brett Stephen Basanez (born May 11, 1983 in) is an American football Quarterback who is a Practice squad player for the Carolina The Carolina Panthers are a professional football team based in Charlotte North Carolina, representing both North Carolina and South Carolina in the D'Wayne Lavoris Bates (born December 4, 1975 in Aiken South Carolina) is a former American football Wide receiver in the National The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based out of Minneapolis Minnesota. Kevin Kinte Bentley (born December 29, 1979 in North Hills California) is an American football Linebacker for the Houston Texans The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle Washington, USA Luis Alberto Castillo (born August 4, 1983 in Brooklyn New York) is an Dominican American football Defensive end The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego California. Barry Joseph Cofield Jr (born March 19, 1984 in Cleveland Heights Ohio) is a professional American football Defensive tackle that The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City suburb of East Rutherford New Jersey. Biography Born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, Donald and his brother Christian played junior golf at Hazlemere and Beaconsfield Golf Clubs - Christian now John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll ( January 11 1895 - June 28 1968) was a Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback. Evan Bruce Eschmeyer (born May 30 1975, in New Knoxville Ohio) is a retired American professional Basketball player who was selected Trai J Essex (born December 5, 1982 in Fort Wayne Indiana) is an Offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National See also Patrick Fitzgerald. Pat Fitzgerald (born in Orland Park Illinois) is the current head coach of the Northwestern University Barry Allan Gardner (born December 13, 1976 in Harvey Illinois) is an American football Linebacker formerly for the New The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Joseph Elliot Girardi (born October 14, 1964 in Peoria Illinois) is the manager of the New York Yankees, and a former Major The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. Otto Everett Graham Jr ( December 6, 1921 - December 17, 2003) was an American professional football and Basketball player The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Sacramento Kings are a professional Basketball team based in Sacramento California. James Anthony "J A" Happ (born October 19, 1982 in Spring Valley Illinois) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher Napoleon Harris nicknamed Napo (born February 25, 1979 in Chicago Illinois) is an American football middle Linebacker The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based out of Minneapolis Minnesota. Noah Scott "Blue" Herron (born April 3 1982 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an National Football League football The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay Wisconsin. John Kidd ( September 10, 1775 &ndash September 7, 1851) was an English Physician, Chemist and geologist The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo New York Metropolitan area, playing seven of their home games in the suburb The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego California. The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami Florida Metropolitan Area. The Detroit Lions are an American football team based in Detroit Michigan. The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. Mark David Loretta (born August 14 1971 in Santa Monica, California) is a Second baseman and Shortstop in Major League Todd Christopher Martin (born July 8 1970, in Hinsdale Illinois) a native of East Lansing Michigan, is a former professional Matt O'Dwyer is a former American football player who played in the National Football League from 1995 to 2005 Brad North (born January 21, 1985) is an American soccer player from The Woodlands Texas. DC United is a professional soccer club located in Washington D Jeffrey Alan Roehl (born May 18, 1980 in Evergreen Park Illinois) was an American football Offensive lineman who played mostly with Steven Jay Tasker (born April 10, 1962 in Leoti, Kansas) is a broadcaster for CBS Sports, who previously was a Wide receiver The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville Tennessee. The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo New York Metropolitan area, playing seven of their home games in the suburb Rick Telander is the senior sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Jason Gomillion Wright (born July 12, 1982 in Diamond Bar California) is an American football halfback who currently plays for the The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. "Maroons beat Purple by a Dropkick", Chicago Tribune, November 16, 1924, pp. The Chicago Tribune is a major daily Newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and owned by the Tribune Company Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published A1. Retrieved on 2007-08-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 8 - Roman Empire General Tiberius defeats Dalmatians on the river Bathinus.
- ^ THREE-PEAT! Northwestern Captures NCAA Title With 15-13 Win Over Virginia :: 'Cats build big lead, hold on in second half for third straight crown
- ^ http://nusports.cstv.com/sports/w-lacros/mtt/kjellman_kristen00.html
- ^ Tewaaraton Trophy Stays in Evanston! Hannah Nielsen Claims 2008 Prize
- ^ Sports Illustrated Profile
External links
- Athletic Media Services Records (1871-2002), Northwestern University Archives, Evanston, Illinois
- Official Northwestern athletics site
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