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Northwestern University’s head football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, says he’ll have a young team this fall, but that could lead to another great season.

In the interview with Crain’s Chicago Business, Fitzgerald also talked about marketing the program and the team’s new apparel sponsorship with Under Armour.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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5 Comments

  1. If NU plays against Penn State, they show lack of character

    NU is expected to play at Penn State on October 6. 

    Given everything that has transpired around the football program there and the kid-gloves treatment given to Penn State by the NCAA, opponents that are scheduled to play Penn State are complicit if they go through with the game.

    A university with any integrity would unilaterally shut their football program like the Universtiy of San Francisco did with its basketball program did after scandals relating to payments to players.  The fact that Penn State has not chosen to do this suggests they haven't gotten the message.

    Coach Fitzgerald should announce that his team will not show up to play Penn State in October since the values on display at Penn State do not comport with those of Northwestern.  If it results in NU forfeiting to Penn State, so be it.  The Penn State scandal shows us that programs focused on winning and money are easily corrupted.

    Let's show some character, Fitz.  Don't play Penn State.

    1. Really think abuot that comment

      There is no doubt that what took place at Penn State is atrocious to a level that none of us can even fathom. But was it the fault of the dozens of young football players on that team who are just trying to live out their football dreams? Was it the fault of the hundreds of thousands of NIttany Lion faithful who live, eat, and breathe Penn State football? What you're suggesting punishes all of those people, and does nothing but unncessary collateral damage. The criminal conviction, the firings and criminal investigations of the other officials, and the NCAA sanctions guarantee that the Penn State program will pay for what happened. But we should not demand that the innocent fans and players do the same.

    2. NU should play Penn State

      Of course NU should play Penn State–as they should play any collegiate team comprised of athletes who have nothing to do with the scandals perpetrated by their forebears.  The athletes at Penn State should not be equated with the school's administration or the criminals who worked in the athletic program in the past.

      Kudos to NU for having the common sense to recognize that the 19-year-old kids playing ball at Penn State are not in any way connected to the crimes that the faculty and staff participated in, in years past.  Let's support the Cats and common sense, just like NU.

  2. Ban Beaver Stadium

    I have to disagree with you. Just don't go to Beaver Stadium for the next 50+ years.GO CATS.

  3. Same old song

    I realize he has to do this as part of his job, but Pat Fitzgerald has conducted similar pre-season media campaigns for the past couple of years.

    If his team manages to achieve more wins than losses by mid-season, I might start paying attention to him.

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