who's ready for some basketball?

in case you haven't heard it from me, laz, or will: this is our year.

this email has shown up in my inbox twice within 2 hours. i think they want people to buy tickets or something. just sayin'.

"Northwestern Alumni and family members are invited to experience Big Ten basketball as the Northwestern Wildcats take on the Wisconsin Badgers, January 23rd and the Penn State Nittany Lions, February 24th. A special section has been set aside for NU Alums and tickets can be purchased in advance of game-day by using the promotional code "NUYA" on NUsports.com. The group will be acknowledged on the scoreboard and Northwestern hats will be provided to those in attendance.

Date: Sunday, Jan. 23
Time: 12pm
vs.: Wisconsin
Price: $27.00/person
(plus applicable service charges)

Date: Thursday, Feb. 24
Time: 8pm
vs.: Penn State
Price: $20.00/person
(plus applicable service charges)

How to Purchase Tickets:
1. Visit NUsports.com
2. Select "Tickets" in the header bar
3. Select "Buy Tickets Now"
4. Select "Promotions" from the left-hand side menu
5. Enter promotional code "NUYA" and click on game of choice to place your order

For more information visit NUsports.com, email a-loch@northwestern.edu, or call 847-491-7847."

not doing anything friday night?

from nu sports:

2010 Meet The Team Night presented by Athletico This Friday, August 27 at 6pm

Event Highlights: Dollar Vienna Beef Hot dogs and FREE Beverages, Player Autographs, Play Catch and Kick Field Goals on Ryan Field, Meet Coach Fitz

You are invited to bring out the whole family to Ryan Field this Friday for Meet The Team Night presented by Athletico. This is your chance to hang out and meet the entire 2010 Wildcat Football team.

This free event will begin at 6pm on Walker Terrace (located at the north end of Ryan Field) where fans will be treated to discounted concessions and complimentary beverages. Fans will have the opportunity to get the inside scoop on the 'Cats upcoming season directly from head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who will address the crowd.

E-mail your questions in advance to wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu for a chance to have them answered live by Coach Fitzgerald on August 27th.

Fans will then have the chance to meet the individual players at stations set-up all around Ryan Field (sneakers are recommended for activities). The event will end at 8 pm.

In the case of inclement weather, Meet The Team Night will be moved into Welsh-Ryan Arena. For more information about the 2010 Meet The Team Night presented by Athletico e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.

Be sure to get your tickets for the 2010 Northwestern Football Season today! The home opener is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 versus Illinois State. Tickets for all games are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 847.491.CATS (2287).

where in the world is coach fitz?

(swiped from nusports.com)

Fitz Set to Throw Out First Pitch at Saturday's White Sox Game
White Sox battle Pirates at 6:05 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Field
May 20, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- After making appearances earlier this month at home contests for the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald travels to the city's south side this Saturday (May 23), visiting U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

Fitzgerald will throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch at approximately 5:55 p.m. Ten minutes later, the White Sox are scheduled to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in an interleague game.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets to Saturday's game to see Fitz's first pitch can call (312) 674-1000 or visit whitesox.com.

may 12 - nu day at wrigley

(from nusports.com)

Pat Fitzgerald To Sing Seventh-Inning Stretch May 12 on NU Day at Wrigley
Fans can meet Coach Fitz at Mullen's on Clark at 5:30 p.m.

April 20, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- NU Day at Wrigley Field is set for Tuesday, May 12 at 7:05 p.m. and Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald will serve as the seventh-inning guest conductor for "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Fitzgerald, who is making his fourth annual trip to Wrigley Field to take part in one of baseball's most unique traditions, also will toss one of the game's first pitches at approximately 6:50 p.m.

Before Fitzgerald heads into the game, fans can meet him at Mullen's Bar and Grill (3527 N. Clark) and enjoy half-price buffalo wings and free soda from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fans who don't have tickets to the Cubs game are encouraged to come out to Mullen's to watch the game with Fitzgerald's former teammate and Heisman Trophy finalist, Darnell Autry. Autry will be giving away free food, drinks, Wildcat prizes and football tickets throughout the game so make plans to support NU Day in Wrigleyville on May 12.

For more information, e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu or call 847.491.7504.

"turn back the clock day?"

"Northwestern vs. Syracuse at Ryan Field - Turn Back the Clock Day

Saturday, August 30 at 11 am (ESPN2)

All Chicago area NU alums are invited to relive their time as a student in Evanston by purchasing discounted tickets in the student section (132-134). These seats are only $18 for NU alums and their families, but they must be purchased on NUsports.com with the Promo Code: NUTBC. Everyone who purchases tickets with this promotional code will automatically be entered to win a free parking pass next to the stadium compliments of U.S. Cellular!

PLUS, meet Darnell Autry on Walker Terrace during halftime of the game! Be sure to purchase the running backs edition of the Football Game Program and you will receive a free Wildcat running backs poster that Darnell will autograph on Walker Terrace."

of course my brother's wedding would be during the one game where i wouldn't have to buy an end zone seat and then sneak into the student section at halftime. troy and i will be relying on you guys to text us scoring updates. :-)

dillo day news, courtesy of nu's alumni association

"Dear Alumni,

Many of you may be planning to return to campus for Dillo Day. This year there are some changes.

Instead of Memorial Day Weekend, Dillo Day is May 31 this year. We know that some of you enjoy returning for the event and didn't want you to make the trip on the wrong weekend. The line up of bands is the best ever. We are very excited. The line up so far includes Common and Tedd Leo and the Pharmacists.

Also of important note is the construction that has happened on campus in the last twelve months. We are experiencing a construction boom and most of it by the lake front. On the recreation fields on the north end of campus (the usual site of Dillo Day) is now a wonderful Soccer/Lacrosse stadium. What this means for the concert, is a shift in venue. The concert will now take place on a new recreation field, a much smaller space, to the south (closer to the lagoon) and necessitates the closing of multiple parking lots by the Allen Center, Pancoe and Cook. What this means for you is that the entry points to Dillo Day are now at SPAC and at the Allen Center.

The university has worked hard in the last five years to make Dillo Day a safe, fun annual tradition that allows every student at Northwestern to have a relaxing, safe Dillo Day. We ask that if you choose to return to campus to celebrate spring with us that you also respect the changes we have made and enjoy the day with us.

Dillo Day
May 31, 2008
Five Bands, One Day
Play Smart!"

(y'know, of all the myriad things i've gone back to campus for since graduation, dillo day has never really crossed my mind. i wonder how many alumni tend to show up.)

Deering Bowl anyone?

Man, this snow makes me want to walk around the suites and organize a 1 a.m. Deering Bowl. Too bad. :)

It's a beautiful snowfall though...

it's like we finally have an nu bar...

...or something. i'm not sure how many of you are on the alumni association's monthly e-newsletter list, so i figured i'd post this here. note that the eastern michigan game is actually on october 19 and not the 20th as listed below. go u!

On Northwestern Football Saturdays, the NU Club of Chicago and the Northwestern Gridiron Network invite you to watch the Away Games with friends and fellow Alums at The Lion Head Pub, 2251 North Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The NU Flag will be flying outside to welcome NU Football Fans, the staff will be dressed NU attire and the purple spirit will be high, as we cheer our team to victory. Admission is free and there will be great food and drink specials. Should you not be able to make it to Evanston for Home Games, what better place to be than the Lion Head Pub for Home Games as well. Registration is not necessary.

Note: As the game time is determined by the broadcast network during the week preceding a game, the exact time for each game cannot be advised now. Watch your local news on the day preceding the game for game time confirmation.

Away Games:

Sept 22 At Ohio State
Oct 6 At Michigan State
Oct 20 At Eastern Michigan
Oct 27 At Purdue
Nov 17 At Illinois

Home Games:

Sept 29 vs Michigan
October 13 vs Minnesota
November 3 vs Iowa
November 10 vs Indiana

from your friends at the nu alumni association...

Join the Big Ten Network and Northwestern Alumni
Friday August 10th from 6-9pm at Mullen's 3527 N. Clark

On Friday, the Big Ten Network has invited Northwestern alumni and fans to gather at Mullen's in Wrigleyville. This is an opportunity for Big Ten fans to show their support for their schools. Please make sure to sign the petition asking cable providers to put the Big Ten Network on basic cable - when you sign up you are automatically entered in a raffle to win tickets to various Wildcat football games. Here's an invitation listing several locations where you can enter the drawing; if another location is more convenient for you feel free to go there. We look forward to seeing you at Mullen's on Friday!

and now, your moment of..

hey, i know that guy!

Northwestern: Totally Mobbed Up

I've just started reading Supermob by Gus Russo, about a cabal of mob-connected money men who rose from Maxwell Street and Lawndale to become the biggest silent power players in Hollywood. And as I read, I'm noticing some suspiciously familiar names from my NU days.

Like Annenberg, named for the family of TV Guide founder Walter Annenberg ... whose father Moe ran a nationwide racing wire service tied in with Al Capone's bookies.

Or Crown -- Rebecca Crown was the wife of Henry Crown, a major businessman tied to both the mob and any number of corrupt politicians.

Nice to know our beloved alma mater runs, at least in part, on what was once the spoils of graft and organized crime. (=