There were a lot of topics on the table of discussion in last week's Big 10 meetings. First and foremost, is the rapid move towards a four team playoff in college football, which could get here in a couple years. I asked Northwestern Athletic Director Jim Phillips what his biggest takeaways were from the meetings. "Couple things – tremendous collaboration between all 12 … [Read more...] about Big Ten conference bigger player in national football power structure
jim phillips
Stanford to Meet Northwestern in 4 game Football Series
Following last week's two-game series announcement with Notre Dame, Northwestern University A.D. Jim Phillips announced today a four-game college football series with Stanford. The Wildcats and Cardinal will play their first game in 2019. Yes, that's how long in advance these things are planned. Northwestern and Stanford have played six times previously, with the last … [Read more...] about Stanford to Meet Northwestern in 4 game Football Series
Former Rush, Wolves President coming to Northwestern
Northwestern University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips announced today that Mike Polisky, most recently the team president of the Chicago Wolves and formerly president and general manager of the Chicago Rush Arena Football organization, has been named Northwestern's senior associate athletic director for external affairs. He begins his duties with the … [Read more...] about Former Rush, Wolves President coming to Northwestern
Northwestern Jumps Wisconsin in Bowl Hierarchy
By Paul M. Banks You could certainly call this year's bowl destination for Northwestern a step up from last season's, and you can say that the selection process gave NU more respect this year than they did last year. In '08 a 8-4 Iowa team jumped a 9-3 NU squad (which beat Iowa) for the Outback Bowl slot. Unless there's a two game gap between teams in the standings … [Read more...] about Northwestern Jumps Wisconsin in Bowl Hierarchy
Jim Phillips, CEO of Northwestern’s Athletic Program Part 2
By Paul M. Banks For part one, click here. As Northwestern Athletic Director Jim Phillips aggressively pursues the idea of joining forces with the Chicago Cubs to stage a football game between his Northwestern Wildcats and their rival, the University of Illinois at Wrigley Field, it reminds me of how I once heard Phillips described. The head coach of NU’s baseball team, … [Read more...] about Jim Phillips, CEO of Northwestern’s Athletic Program Part 2
Jim Phillips, CEO of Northwestern’s Athletic Program Part 1
By Paul M. Banks In 2008-09, Chicagoans became well aware of how Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, along with team Vice President John McDonough re-branded the Blackhawks from red-headed stepchild to main event on the Second City’s sports stage. Forbes named them the biggest turnaround in sports business history. When you’re a university Athletic Director, you have … [Read more...] about Jim Phillips, CEO of Northwestern’s Athletic Program Part 1
AD Jim Phillips Boosting Northwestern’s profile
By Paul M. Banks and Rikki Greenberg These days, anyone who follows Chicago sports is well aware of how Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, with the help of Vice President John McDonough, re-branded the Blackhawks from obscure afterthought into main event of the Second City. Northwestern Athletic Director Jim Phillips could likely be the next executive to accomplish such a feat. … [Read more...] about AD Jim Phillips Boosting Northwestern’s profile
A Wildcat Experience at The Cell
By Rikki Greenberg The environment at U.S. Cellular Field was electric and it wasn’t because the White Sox were in town. This game was all about sporting purple and white or blue and gold while heading to the park to pledge your allegiance to either Northwestern or Notre Dame. Northwestern senior Tony Vercelli’s two home runs in the 5-1 defeat over Notre Dame was the … [Read more...] about A Wildcat Experience at The Cell