Wrigley Game For Northwestern Back On?

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jan 14, 2010 4:20PM

The idea has been bounced around for a while but with a major hurdle cleared, a Northwestern football game at Wrigley Field could become a reality as soon as this fall. The hurdle? The size of the field's "footprint" has been ruled big enough to safely accommodate the field plus the two sidelines. It'll be a tight fit, but there's room. What other obstacles remain? According to the Tribune:

Are the locker rooms large enough? Where would the team's coordinators sit during the game? Would alcohol be served? Would the ESPN family or the Big Ten Network get the TV rights?

The game would happen during the day - either an 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. kickoff. As for an opponent? Possibilities for a 2010 game are Iowa on November 13 and Illinois (viewed as the ideal opponent) on November 20. Why November? Because, according to ESPN, Northwestern AD Jim Phillips needs time to promote the game and - no giggling - to ensure the game wouldn't interfere with a Cubs playoff run. If neither 2010 date worked, potential games for 2011 would be Michigan (Nov. 19, 2011) or - meh - Rice (Nov. 26, 2011).

It's been 40 years since Wrigley saw a football game (when the Bears moved to Soldier Field). So the time seems right. Can you imagine the neighborhood kids positioning themselves on Waveland to catch an extra point kick that clears the stands? [Insert "watching a winning team at Wrigley Field" or "watching a winning football team in the City of Chicago" joke here.]