The purple will return to Wrigley Field.
In some ways, the Northwestern Wildcats and Chicago Cubs were meant for each other. Both had/have major droughts. The NU college football team just won their first bowl game since 1949, and the college basketball has never ever made the NCAA Tournament, 70+ tries. As you’ve heard a million times, the Cubs haven’t been to the World Series since 1945 and won it since 1908.
Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts lives three blocks from the Wildcats’ athletic facilities and he’s close with Northwestern Athletic Director Jim Phillips. Ricketts has been a guest lecturer to the class Phillips teaches at NU’s Kellogg School of Management. So it was only a matter of time before the Northwestern Wildcats baseball team got their day in the sun at Wrigley Field.
Last month, Northwestern and the Chicago Cubs announced a multi-year reciprocal marketing partnership that will enable the Wildcats to play at Wrigley Field in upcoming years; multiple sports including baseball, lacrosse and five Wildcats college football games.
NU and the Cubs just announced first pitch for the Big Ten baseball game at Wrigley Field on April 20 will be at 6:05 p.m. CDT. They’ll take on the Michigan Wolverines. $7 Tickets go on sale Friday
Statement from Northwestern head coach Paul Stevens: “Whether you grew up in Chicago or California, if you’re a ballplayer, you’ve dreamt of one day playing at Wrigley Field, one of the iconic sporting venues in the world. Northwestern and Michigan will get that chance on a very special night and we’re all looking forward to the occasion.”
Wrigley Field gates will open two hours prior. (just not Mark Prior)
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