According to Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips, there is agreement between him, his board, the UI's Ron Guenther and the Chicago Cubs to play next year's game at Wrigley Field if – and this is a big if – they can work out the financial and operational questions. The field has been measured and will handle a game, just like it did years ago for the Bears. It'll be a costly ticket but a cinch sellout. People in Chicago would go to Wrigley to watch a hot dog eating contest.

http://www.illinihq.com/news/mens_basketball/2010/01/28/tate_victory_is_a_deep_breath_of_frosh_air

Finally.

Making Chicagoans watch Jacob Charest will be Champaignian's revenge for making them watch Henry Burris and Cory Sauter back in 2002 in Memorial Stadium.

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You know me like that.

Might be Zook's swan song.

US Cellular might be more accomodating to the crowd of 15,000

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

His swan song must be In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.

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You know me like that.

I wonder if my season tickets will include tix to this game or if I will have to buy it separately? I'm assuming separately, but I'll have first look at tix.

You will likely have to buy spearately but you should likely get first crack at them.

I'll probably increase my season ticket order from 2 to 6 (to include my kids)... been meaning to anyway, but this is as good excuse as any to make sure I get good seats.

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@audioidkid

And Northwestern may get to play in Yankee Stadium in a couple years.

That's pretty cool.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

and Northeastern gets to play in Fenway....ooops, nevermind.

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@audioidkid

Check this discussion out on the NU Rivals site.

http://northwestern.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=57&tid=139096628&mid=139096628&sid=901&style=2

I'm "lookgoodinpurple" on that site and I started the thread when I saw Dr. Ken's post. I'm curious what you guys think about this game from the NU side (you have to put your purple colored glasses on). Basically the argument is that NU has a big attendance problem and that this game could serve to increase the profile of NU football in a town where it's all about the Bears. I kinda think it's a unique marketing opportunity. Some were suggesting playing Rice since that game is going to suck in attendance anyway and wouldn't give Illinois as much a home field advantage at Wrigley given that you can expect at least half of Wrigley would be wearing orange. I frankly don't care about the last point... I'm in the camp that thinks this is a great idea for the primary reason that the media will hype up the game and hopefully put NU on the minds of football fans looking for sports entertainment in this town that is meaningfully cheaper than trying to get a Bears' ticket.

Just curious about your thoughts.

From a spurious source, someone heard Morty Schapiro (Prez of NU) speak at an event earlier this week. He said the fate of the Wrigley game vs. Illinois will be decided next week.

Weber in a Snuggie and Carmody wearing mittens. Hoops at Wrigley I love it

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-0303-northwestern-illinois-wrigley20100302,0,4631198.story

another article.

It will be the greatest game in Illinois/NU history!!!!!!! Just wanted to beat the media to it.

I still can't believe some NU fans are getting upset by this. I would say a vocal minority think that this media stunt (which it is) would backfire if there is more orange in the stands than purple. Who cares if there is more orange? Why can't it be a win-win for both schools to elevate the program in the minds of non-alum Chicagoans? I'll tell you what would be an epic fail... playing fucking Rice on Thanksgiving Day weekend at Wrigley (that's the game many of these whiners prefer over the Illinois game). I'm a huge NU fan... and I'm not sure I even want to watch us play Rice.

I think the main problem is that you're giving up a home game in a season where bowl eligibility might be difficult. That transforms a probable-W to something a little bit less certain. I'd be upset about it if I were an NU fan too.

But I'm not, so I heartily approve of the venue change. I'll be one of the 25,000 or so Illinois fans there, hopefully.

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Fire Phil Emery

What can be more certain than playing Illinois? Win for NU.

Hear you... but I'm pretty concerned about those empty seats at Ryan Field. And let's be clear, there's not much home field advantage for most B10 games, particularly Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State when more than half of the stadium is cheering for the "Away" team.

Can we agree to meet up at the tailgate to share a frosty one, IB? Hawkeye Vince just blows me off.

I don't think it's really the crowd that drives the home field advantage. Frankly, no one really knows what does. But it exists, and this would be voluntarily giving it up for NU. If that helps create a new generation of NU fans, it's a good move. We'll see. I'm skeptical, but then again it's better than any idea I have. I think it's a bit of a shame they don't have more of a following.

I plan on going to the game either way, as I went to the last one in Evanston. Schedule permitting I'll be happy to share a drink with you and yours, Mud.

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Fire Phil Emery

The simple fact is they will make much more coin and generate more interest in the program that may pay off longer term.

To be honest, if I were a fan of either team I'd simply enjoy the experience of it instead of worrying about some long term effects.

Not to be blunt, but Northwestern will start getting coverage if they start winning Big Ten titles and going to Rose Bowls. Playing a game at Wrigley will increase the profile of Northwestern in the short term but no one is going to suddenly become a season ticket holder because they played a game at Wrigley the year before.

I would just simply enjoy how cool it is that you'll get to see your favorite football team in one of the classic sports venues around.

I really hope that this is a success and Northwestern makes this a yearly occurrence.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I agree, BR. As a fan, I want whats best for the program. But personally, I think it would be a blast just to watch my team and be able to drink a beer while I'm watching it in the stands. Since I did not grow up in Chicago, the Wrigley magic is lost on me. But it would be a party... and after the crap work environment I've been in for the last month, I could use a party

nearly set for November 20th at Wrigley

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/04/source-northwesterns-wrigley-field-game-all-but-done.html

Just heard this rumor. Hasn't been verified:

1) Formal announcement of Wrigley NU v ILL game will be on Friday
2) Ticket distribution will be:
- The Cubs get 5,000 tickets,
- Illinois 3,000, and
- NU 30,000.

They will be trying to sell the tickets exclusively through season ticket holders at first and open them up to other fans if needed. Season ticket holders will also have the option to not purchase a ticket for the Wrigley game and only pay for tickets to the games at Ryan Field.

I like this distribution if it is correct. I don't know the timing. I hear there is a chance that the game may slip to a 11:00 AM start which would be a huge mistake. But it may have to do with TV issues. I think ND is playing at Yankee Stadium that day as well. Perhaps they don't want to compete with that. We'll see.

Oher than the Cubs distribution, that would be the standard distribution for a home game (3K visitors). What is the season ticket base for NU? 20k? I would expect them to at least cover that in the final splits.

It's an embarrasing 14-16K season ticket holder base. That's why its imperative to try to link this to season ticket sales.

How much do NU season tickets usually run? I may grab a pair just for this game, depending upon whether they have a few home games while Illinois is not playing.

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Fire Phil Emery

I'll take your NU/Iowa tickets