For weeks, the City of Evanston has been encouraging its residents to “Paint Evanston Purple” in recognition of a major town-gown event that coincides with a Wildcat football game at Ryan Field this Saturday when the 3-0 ‘Cats meet Central Michigan.
Thursday, the celebration kicked off with a pep rally that drew hundreds of Evanstonians and Northwestern students to the street in front of the Rotary International building.
The marching bands turned out from Evanston Township High School (top) and Northwestern (above).
Among the celebrities on hand to rile up the crowd were Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, Northwestern President Morton Schapiro, football coach Pat Fitzgerald, and Northwestern All-American Mike Adamle, along with the Wildcat cheerleaders and NU’s world-famous marching band and the Evanston Township High School POM KITS and marching band.
Aldermen Jane Grover and Mark Tendam with the university’s president, Morton Schapiro.
Northwestern announced that one of sport’s most cherished and recognizable trophies will visit Ryan Field on Saturday.
The National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup, which landed in Chicago in June after the Blackhawks defeated the Flyers in the Stanley Cup final, will be part of a pregame presentation when Northwestern’s Department of Athletics recognizes Blackhawks’ Chairman Rocky Wirtz, a 1975 Northwestern graduate, and Blackhawks’ President John McDonough, a frequent Northwestern lecturer and a Faculty Advisory Board member for Northwestern’s master of arts in sports administration program.
This recognition ceremony is set to take place at approximately 10:50 a.m. at midfield.
Northwestern cheerleaders at the pep rally.
Evanston residents can purchase discounted tickets in advance of game day for $17 using the promotional code “Purple” on NUsports.com.
Crazy Weather
Mike Adamle’s Wizard of Oz comment at the end felt about right. Got to think that negatively impacted turnout.