Northwestern to expand its relationship with Wrigley Field

Submitted by MikeCohodes on

I came across an interesting article today about Northwestern athletics.  Apparently they are planning on expanding their relationship with Wrigley Field, and want to have more games take place at the stadium.  The article talks about NU having other sports play at Wrigley in 2013 (baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer), but that they also want to bring football back to the stadium in the future as well, once the field is renovated to avoid having both teams use the same end zone like they had to in the Illinois vs NU game a couple years back.  Michigan is cited in 2015 as a potential opponent, with the current schedule.  

So, what do you guys think of this idea?  Would you rather go to a Michigan game at Wrigley or at Ryan Field out in Northwestern?  The attendance levels are about the same so tickets should be comparably easy to get.  I think Wrigley would be more fun, plus there'd be a lot of pre and post game bars to choose from, although tailgating would be more challenging.

Story link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-northwestern-wrigley-f…

 

GoBlueFlyer

February 5th, 2013 at 9:27 AM ^

There are different NCAA rules for alcohol at tournament games vs. non-tournament games.  For instance, there is never alcohol at University of Dayton Arena during the first four NCAA play in games, even though there is always beer at Flyer basketball games (during which there is a very strict two-beer limit per transaction policy!).

 

 

 

 

bob_ufer

February 4th, 2013 at 7:39 PM ^

Don't fool yourself...tix will be much hard at 3600 N than at Ryan Field.  Much more demand...of course the bars right outside may be best.

I wonder if th ebars charge a steep cover if they ever had OSU or UM playing NWU in that setting.

Njia

February 4th, 2013 at 7:55 PM ^

Expanding the relationship means wedding bells in their future. When is Wrigley going to pop the question? Or does the stadium just want to remain friends?

blueheron

February 4th, 2013 at 8:09 PM ^

I would definitely like to see at least one UMich-NW game there.

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One obvious drawback (and the only one that comes to mind, other than the obvious likelihood of higher ticket prices) is the Wrigleyville meathead measure (which is high ... apologies to residents of that area, Lakeview, North Center, etc.).

When I'm at Ryan Field, I can look all around and see mostly civilized, refined people. Sometimes snooty, too, admittedly. At Clark 'n Addison there'd be a lot more meatheads.

Silverware

February 4th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^

Where did this incredibly stupid thought originate from?

Games at Wrigley have a great atmosphere. Just like any other sporting event you occasionally get people that make going to a game less enjoyable but your "meathead measure" is ridiculous. Please save your posts for mlive.

LSAClassOf2000

February 4th, 2013 at 8:10 PM ^

Here's a story on the $300 million in renovations proposed to Wrigley - (LINK)

In addition to an improved porch in the outfield, the Cubs are looking for increased signage, a video scoreboard and some easing of the restrictions imposed by the city regarding advertising and the number of night games it is allowed to host. 

Aside from that, this is a pretty cool idea - Wrigley would be a pretty cool venue for football if they did manage to make the renovations happen to the scale that they want, and I would definitely go to a Michigan game at Wrigley. 

 

Brown Bear

February 4th, 2013 at 10:43 PM ^

There's plenty of parking. We aren't talking 100,000 people and somehow the Cubs have parking for 81 home games each year. Parking isn't that bad actually around wrigley. You can get a good spot for $25 nearby or if you're good you can find free parking nearby if you don't mind walking.

pbmd

February 4th, 2013 at 10:19 PM ^

without reading the article --NW athletic facilities are all lacking.   are we to assume it is not economically viable to bring their facilities up to a rasonable standard?

i thought they were going to renevote ryan field.

proximity to bars seems like a  sad way to pick a stadium. maybe people should just go to the best available bar and not let the game location compromise their opportunity to drink.

kevin holt

February 4th, 2013 at 11:53 PM ^

I feel like it's a great idea, but will ultimately not work. Chicago is one of the biggest big ten alumni hubs, if not the biggest. They'll never really be able to have a home game unless they get their actual fans and alumni to come to games to take seats from local alums of other schools. Trying to market to unbiased chicagoans sounds like a good idea, but it's not enough.

Maybe they should even separate themselves from the city to try to have a college town footprint like the other schools. Nah, that's probably even worse of an idea.

WolverineFanatic6

February 4th, 2013 at 11:20 PM ^

I really think Pat Fitz is an incredible coach. What he's been able to do with that program is awesome. It definitely sucks to have another tough team to contend with each year but they're certainly a fun watch.

French West Indian

February 5th, 2013 at 8:02 AM ^

I like the idea of Wrigley assuming every Michigan/N'western game isn't there.  If they keep it to less than half the time, then I think it becomes rare enough to serve as a nice treat. 

But if they play at Wrigley every time Michigan is at N'western then it won't be long before the novelty wears off and people start wondering they never play on campus.

MikeCohodes

February 5th, 2013 at 8:59 AM ^

that NU would only do one game at Wrigley a year, in the article.  The UM game in 2015 was cited as one possibility for that season, because they wouldn't be able to pick any home game before November (not that the Cubs ever play in October, but Wrigley wouldn't commit to it until after baseball season is over).  Of course, when the Big Ten changes the future schedules around to accomodate MD and Rutgers, who knows when the next road game to NU will be anyways.

I'd love to see a game at Wrigley, I already make the trip to Evanston every time UM comes to town, I'd actually enjoy a game in the city quite a bit because I'd make a day trip out of it and spend the night downtown.

cheesheadwolverine

February 5th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^

Football would be awesome.  It's an amazing stadium and in a much better area than out in the suburbs.  Any other sport though, I'm not sure enough people would go.  It would look really dumb to put on an event like that and have 1500 people in Wrigley.