It was last year that the Northwestern football first team decided to proclaim themselves Chicago’s Big Ten team. Aerys wasn’t around yet, so I could only direct my agitation toward the billboard, scaring those around me also riding public transportation. I thought that after the whole debacle at Wrigley Field last year NU would give up that self-proclaimed title that was never deserved.
What happened at Wrigley you ask? Oh, where to begin! Northwestern hosted a “home” game against Illinois at Wrigley Field, and did everything they could to make it difficult for Illini fans to get tickets, thus ensuring that more Northwestern fans would be in attendance. It’s odd they felt the need to do such a thing since they believe that they are Chicago’s Big Ten team. Nonetheless, Illini fans were in abundance despite the horror they witnessed upon seeing the Wrigley Field sign painted purple.
Next, due to some faulty planning, for safety concerns only one end zone was allowed to be used during the game. Despite the attempts to make the Illini too dizzy to play, Mikel Leshoure ran for a school-record 330 yards and two touchdowns, and the Illini trounced NU 48-27.
So yeah, that should’ve indicated whether or not Northwestern can claim they are Chicago’s Big Ten Team, in addition to the fact that Northwestern is NOT in Chicago. Northwestern is located in Evanston, a suburb north of the city. Evanston is in the same county as Chicago, but for those of you who do not live in Chicago I’d like to make it clear that Evanston is not IN the city.
Despite these valid concerns, Northwestern is still moving forward with this crazy notion that the city of Chicago should only be rooting for them with the proposed design for new basketball courts. I’m glad that they’re going to spruce up the Welsh-Ryan Arena, and perhaps with these changes it will no longer look like a high school gym.
But then I saw the proposed designs. Warning, by clicking the link below you might be exposed to images that will make your eyes bleed:
Northwestern basketball court designs.
There are many many things that I have to say about these designs, starting with the fact that painting your floor purple is just a bad idea. No one is going to be able to see what’s going on with that hideous color reflecting off the court. That’s just a fact. The other points of contention I will keep to myself, except for the fact that 50% of the options say at the bottom of the court: Chicago’s Big Ten Team.
Which brings us back to the original point: That this just isn’t true!
I know what all you naysayers are thinking: “Well, the University of Illinois is actually in Champaign, so it can’t be Chicago’s team either!” You are absolutely correct, this argument is not about who should be Chicago’s Big Ten team, but rather if Chicago even has a Big Ten team, and actually I’d have to say no.
Sure, Illinois is the state’s school and Chicago is the state’s biggest city, but that’s not enough of a reason. A much higher percentage of kids from Chicago (and the ‘burbs) attend Illinois than attend Northwestern, but many kids also attend surrounding Big Ten schools as well. A majority of Chicago athletes head to Illinois, but that’s not enough of a reason either – especially when you note that Derrick Rose skipped Illinois to head to Memphis, but again that’s a different post.
It’s clear that Chicago is an important city to the B1G conference. The B1G Media Days were just held in Chicago, and even though the football championship will be held in Indianapolis, perhaps one day it will find its way to the historic Soldier Field. Not to mention the conference basketball championships have been played in the United Center in the past and will return to its rightful spot in a couple of years.
Speaking of the United Center, Illinois plays a home game every year in the arena deep in the heart of Chi-city. Strangely enough, NU does not. In fact last time NU played at the United Center during the regular season, it was in 2003 against Illinois. In case you’re wondering, Illinois won.
Chicago is a melting pot of B1G alumni. I think that most of them would be shocked to find that they are supposed to be rooting for the ‘Cats.
I’ve conducted non-scientific studies on this. It is based solely on the number of baseball caps and sweatshirts I see in Wrigley during any given Cubs game. I’d say I see more from 8 other schools (Illinois, Iowa, Wisky, Indiana, Purdue, MSU, Meatchicken and OSU)than NU.
Also, how can NU continue to be pretentious while pandering to large volumes of people in Chi-Town?
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Here here!! This whole campaign is a shot in the face to the city. Chicago has an absolutely HUGE alumni base in the city and suburbs.
Hopefully NW will tone down or eliminate the notion that Northwestern is Chicago’s Big Ten team when Illinois pummels the ‘Cats every year in football and basketball.
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