- The NU women's lacrosse team has 4 consecutive NCAA championships to their credit. They're the first team not from an eastern school to win one, much less 4 in a row.
- The Tewaaraton Award, given to the top college lacrosse player, has gone to an NU woman the past three years
- NU football coach Pat Fitzgerald, just 33 years old as he begins his third season as the top dog in Evanston, is also a member of college football's Hall of Fame. He was the captain of NU's '95 Rose Bowl team.
- The 'Cats had 3 Big 10 football championship in the 90's.
- Tailback Tyrell Sutton, now a senior, was the Big 10 Freshman player of the year in '05.
- Former 'Cat lineman Luis Castillo, one of 15 or so 'Cats currently in the NFL, just signed a big money, long term contract with San Diego.
- Northwestern has the highest graduation rate for football players in the Big 10
- NY Yankees manager Joe Girardi is a Wildcat alumnus. BTW, go to the NY Daily News website for the most entertaining fan comments on yesterday's Yankee trade to acquire Ivan Rodriguez. Those people are hilarious.
Thursday evening I was a guest at a cocktail reception at the University Club for Pat Fitzgerald and Jim Phillips. I've met Fitz before, and felt as if I already knew Jim Phillips from reading all the features about him susequent to his appointment. I must tell you, though, that spending some face time with each of them is enough to turn up the enthusiasm factor on any 'Cat backer.
The Fitz personna that is broadcast through the various media underplays his charisma. Here's a young man who, at age 33, is entering his third year in an incredibly demanding and challenging position. Fitz'self confidence is apparent, but you get none of the negative elements that emanate from the other two "local" head football coaches. Fitz is approachable and engaging. He knows his stuff, no surprise there, and he gives the impression that he approaches the business of this game with a "respect given, respect demanded" outlook.
For years I kept a coffee mug on my desk that bore the Arthur Andersen credo "THink Straight, Talk Straight" (let's not go there with the Arthur Andersen jokes, please!). Pat Fitzgerald seems to me to treat his business that way.
Jim Phillips, the new AD, is going to be a Chicago institution. What a great guy. While I spent just a few minutes with him, I'm greatly impressed that here we have a WYSIWYG winner here. Jim retold the story of tranisitioning to NU and bunking with his 93 year old father during the first days after winning the NU job. It's a story you've probably already seen or heard. Jim gave it a new wrinkle, summoned up the "reality check" moral of the story and had the assembled multitude on his side.
'Cat Nation should get ready, seats on the bandwagon are going to be tougher to find!
************PS: Look at what they're auctioning this week at Northwestern. Wonder where I could put this... http://nusports.cstvauctions.com/auctiondisplay.cfm?auctionnbr=5352
