On Saturday, a college football pregame show will originate from Hutcheson Field, the Northwestern football practice facility that is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. It’s not just metaphorically or practically on the lake shore, it’s literally right there, and it’s about as picturesque a view as you’ll find anywhere in college football.
Pictures only tell you so much, likewise with video, as you have to go to Evanston and see it first hand. Once you see the facility for yourself, with your own eyes, then you can truly appreciate the vistas (credit the team’s official Twitter account, @NUFBFamily, for the intro photo)
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Obviously, this is a tremendous recruiting tool, so the more exposure you can bring to it, the better it is for the Northwestern football program. It might be a good idea to try and host more youth football at the field. Getting to play at Hutcheson Field is a big thrill for the kids, and the scenic backdrop no doubt makes a significant impression, which could then in turn build brand loyalty to the Northwestern football program.
“I think we’ve had at least one group, have a chance to play out there, if I’m not mistaken, I think a couple of the kids out there, their last names were Fitzgerald so they knew a guy,” Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald said.
It was just awesome it was beautiful day and they had fun, and I know we’ve got other camps that use those fields, our intramural athletes on campus use that and that was all part of the thought process.”
“Dose it a play a part in recruiting? Yeah I hope those young men and I think there was a young lady that played that day I hope they do real well in school, so we can recruit them, academically first and foremost.”
Make no mistake about it, college football is an arms race these days, no matter what anyone says. In order to attract the top notch recruits, you need the elite or the elite facility wise.
“I think a lot of guys being recruited like to see big, shiny nice things, so that’s definitely going to help in recruiting,” said Northwestern football star Justin Jackson.
“They’re investing in this program, they’re investing in the players, they’re investing in the things that are going to help them succeed. So when you see that, you know they’re going to do whatever they can,” the senior running back, soon to become the all time leading rusher in Northwestern history continued.
Northwestern football hosts #4 Penn State Saturday at Ryan Field. The Homecoming Kick-off is at 11 am central.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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