Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald feels games at Wrigley will help recruiting
BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com February 5, 2013 11:13PM
Northwestern University Wildcats Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald threw out the opening pitch at Wrigley Field on May 7, 2012. | Al Podgorski~Chicago Sun-Times
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Updated: February 5, 2013 11:14PM
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said playing games at Wrigley Field only will help him on the recruiting trail.
“We’re trying to win a Big Ten and national championship and to have that attraction in recruiting where we can give young men the unique experience no one else can sell along with everything we already have was something that was very appealing to myself and my staff,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re talking to kids we’ll see in future signing days and saying, ‘We’re going to be playing in Wrigley Field.’ ”
Northwestern held a joint news conference with the Cubs on Tuesday to announce a flexible five-year business partnership that could see Northwestern play five games at Wrigley Field, most likely starting in 2014.
The NU baseball team will host Michigan at Wrigley on April 20. In 2014, the women’s lacrosse team will host Notre Dame, and there will be opportunities for other sports to compete in the iconic venue in future years.
“For us to have an opportunity to play in this stadium, I don’t think it gets any better,” NU baseball coach Paul Stevens said.
Neil Hayes
