Northwestern and Wrigley to Join Forces

The Chicago Cubs have announced that they will establish a partnership with Northwestern University in order to host numerous sporting events for the Wildcats. Many will remember just a few years back in 2010 when Illinois and Northwestern played a football game in the Friendly Confines. It was the first football game played in Wrigley since 1970 and it was quite a sight to see for baseball and football fans alike. Though it may take some serious reconfiguring, I believe this move will greatly benefit Northwestern in the long run.

Think about it, Northwestern is now an above average football team; they have played in a bowl game each of the last five years. What Pat Fitzgerald has done with the Wildcats is exciting and the fact that he will now be coaching in Wrigley Field can only enhance Northwestern's image. Think of the possibilities not only for football but for the university. People may not necessarily be Northwestern fans but the chance to see a football game in one of the most historic ball parks ever presents quite an opportunity. With a likelihood that ticket sales will go up, money for the university will also rise. Obviously the money will be split between the Cubs' organization and the Wildcats but, be that as it may, Northwestern will benefit because they will also have the cost in appliances cut in half as I'm sure the Cubs will meet them half way when it comes to the expenses of concessions and lighting.

However, football is not the only Northwestern team that will call Wrigley Field home as the soccer and softball programs will also play their games inside the ball park. For soccer, Wrigley hosted a friendly this past summer but it was the first soccer game played in the park since the early '80s. This will only cause more consumer attraction not only because of the park and the layout but because the B1G boasts some of the best talent in the nation including reigning national champion Indiana.

All in all, if you throw in the fact that Wrigley Field will be undergoing a $300 million renovation over the next five years and it's safe to say that the North Side could be a pretty exciting spot in the forseeable future. I like the move that has been made by both the Cubs and Northwestern. I think it will ultimately benefit both parties and I'm anxious to see how this works out. One thing is forsure, this will make the underdog Wildcats even more fun to watch.