I’m sure many on this board got the e-mail below, which seems to have gone out to season ticket holders. Yet another non-update update from Dr. Gragg, who appears pretty dedicated to the whole “positively” bit at the very least.
Embarrassing. Just straight up embarrassing.
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Dear Wildcat Season Ticket Holders –
I would like to begin by thanking you for your incredible support of our football program.
We are close to finalizing and announcing our home venues along with our full schedule for next season’s games.
Finalizing agreements with multiple venues has necessitated evaluating numerous scenarios and collaborating with various entities to create a viable home schedule.
We initially aimed to host a significant portion of our games at Soldier Field, particularly in September and October when baseball stadiums are typically unavailable. Regrettably, our plans for the 2024 season coincide with Major League Baseball games, and often clash with the Major League Soccer schedule as well. Moreover, the release of the NFL schedule taking place in May has posed a considerable challenge in securing Soldier Field and finalizing our competition dates at other venues. Taking these elements into consideration, we decided it was best to finalize dates now instead of waiting until May to release the schedule.
That noted, season ticket holders will receive an official communication when we announce the full schedule, inclusive of venues, in the coming weeks.
What the team was able to accomplish last season – both on the field and equally as impressive in the classroom – shocked the Big Ten and college football.
Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun, the consensus Big Ten Coach of the Year, led the team to one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of the sport. Northwestern is one of only five football teams this century to have improved from a 1-11 record to win six or more games the very next season.
After winning the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl over Utah in December, the program has now won each of its last five bowl games (and six of its last seven), after previously going 64 years between bowl game wins. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and our coaching staff for how they represented our university.
Coach Braun has both added to and promoted within his staff, including Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Tim McGarigle (’06), Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach Zach Lujan, Assistant Head Coach and Safeties Coach Harlon Barnett, Offensive Line Coach Bill O'Boyle, and Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Paul Creighton. The staff is really pleased with the latest recruiting class and look forward to welcoming the incoming Wildcats to Evanston for spring ball.
Change is also happening with Ryan Field as demolition has begun. This stadium will be a best-in-the-nation football experience for our student-athletes and fans. It will be the crown jewel of Evanston.
I would like to thank season ticket holders, fans, student-athletes, students, staff and the entire Northwestern community for their flexibility and patience during the rebuild of Ryan Field. We acknowledge that playing in other venues may be inconvenient for you as a supporter of the program. It means everything to our student-athletes and staff that you are willing to travel to support them.
I would certainly like to thank the Ryan Family for everything they have done to make this project a reality. The stadium is privately funded, with no taxpayer financing and significant public benefits. I encourage you to visit the updated RebuildRyanField.com to learn more.
We thank you for your continued support and patience.
God Bless and Go ‘Cats!
Positively,
Dr. Derrick Gragg
Embarrassing. Just straight up embarrassing.
——————————————————————————-
Dear Wildcat Season Ticket Holders –
I would like to begin by thanking you for your incredible support of our football program.
We are close to finalizing and announcing our home venues along with our full schedule for next season’s games.
Finalizing agreements with multiple venues has necessitated evaluating numerous scenarios and collaborating with various entities to create a viable home schedule.
We initially aimed to host a significant portion of our games at Soldier Field, particularly in September and October when baseball stadiums are typically unavailable. Regrettably, our plans for the 2024 season coincide with Major League Baseball games, and often clash with the Major League Soccer schedule as well. Moreover, the release of the NFL schedule taking place in May has posed a considerable challenge in securing Soldier Field and finalizing our competition dates at other venues. Taking these elements into consideration, we decided it was best to finalize dates now instead of waiting until May to release the schedule.
That noted, season ticket holders will receive an official communication when we announce the full schedule, inclusive of venues, in the coming weeks.
What the team was able to accomplish last season – both on the field and equally as impressive in the classroom – shocked the Big Ten and college football.
Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun, the consensus Big Ten Coach of the Year, led the team to one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of the sport. Northwestern is one of only five football teams this century to have improved from a 1-11 record to win six or more games the very next season.
After winning the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl over Utah in December, the program has now won each of its last five bowl games (and six of its last seven), after previously going 64 years between bowl game wins. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and our coaching staff for how they represented our university.
Coach Braun has both added to and promoted within his staff, including Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Tim McGarigle (’06), Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach Zach Lujan, Assistant Head Coach and Safeties Coach Harlon Barnett, Offensive Line Coach Bill O'Boyle, and Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Paul Creighton. The staff is really pleased with the latest recruiting class and look forward to welcoming the incoming Wildcats to Evanston for spring ball.
Change is also happening with Ryan Field as demolition has begun. This stadium will be a best-in-the-nation football experience for our student-athletes and fans. It will be the crown jewel of Evanston.
I would like to thank season ticket holders, fans, student-athletes, students, staff and the entire Northwestern community for their flexibility and patience during the rebuild of Ryan Field. We acknowledge that playing in other venues may be inconvenient for you as a supporter of the program. It means everything to our student-athletes and staff that you are willing to travel to support them.
I would certainly like to thank the Ryan Family for everything they have done to make this project a reality. The stadium is privately funded, with no taxpayer financing and significant public benefits. I encourage you to visit the updated RebuildRyanField.com to learn more.
We thank you for your continued support and patience.
God Bless and Go ‘Cats!
Positively,
Dr. Derrick Gragg
