Northwestern University
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Don’t let Northwestern’s academic reputation fool you—the school is definitely a Big 10 school. Football and basketball games against major Big 10 teams like Michigan, Purdue, and Iowa (not to mention rival University of Illinois) are well attended. The football team has gone to several bowl games in recent years, and the men’s basketball team has neared a spot in the NCAA tournament. Men’s soccer is one of the best teams in the country, and women’s lacrosse won the Division I championship five straight years from 2004 to 2009, and came back to win in 2011, as well. The football team plays at Ryan Field, and the basketball and volleyball teams play at Welsh-Ryan Arena. On game days, NU provides buses to transport students to and from the field/arena, both of which are north of campus. On-campus lakeside fields are home to soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse, so you don't have to travel far to support your Wildcats!

Most football games are very well attended. The student section is tightly packed with a sea of purple shirts. As for the rest of the stadium, though, it is not uncommon to see more shirts of the opposing team’s colors. Attendance at basketball games is not quite as substantial, but students have been making more of an effort lately. Other than basketball and football, no transportation is provided to the off-campus arena, which makes it harder for students to cheer on women’s basketball and volleyball teams. At NU, sports are what you make of them. If you choose to be a die-hard Wildcat fan, you will find others like you. If not, there will be others in the same boat.

Northwestern University Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Athletics at Northwestern University

moreforthat

English '15

3.8

B+

Personally Am Not Very Involved in Athletics

I've been to two football games, and I guess the school spirit was pretty good. But I'm not very into the athletics scene.

Jan 23, 2012

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Athletics at Northwestern University

WildCat1992

Performing Arts '15

3.5

B

Not a Top School, but Great Big Ten Atmosphere

Northwestern's great in that it combines fantastic academics with a Big Ten atmosphere. While we're by no means the top athletic school (except in girls lacrosse?), people go to the games and there is a good amount of school spirit. Big Ten football games are definitely fun, and home games are an important part of campus life. The SPAC recreation facility is wonderful for both athletes and non-athletes. Northwestern definitely puts a higher focus on academics than sports, but they're a good part of campus culture

Dec 06, 2011

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Athletics at Northwestern University

slane818

Journalism '15

3.8

B+

Athletics

We are in the Big Ten, which is awesome for a school of Northwestern's academic caliber. However, you are never going to mistake us for a Michigan or Ohio State. We aren't big enough to fill a 100,000 person football stadium, nor have we been good enough.

That said, football and men's basketball always draws big crowds for big games and NU football has been on the cusp of national ranking for a few years. Our women's lacrosse team is legit too.

NU athletics are great and if you are huge sports fan like me you will still love it here, but because of our size and academic level, sports aren't as big here as other Big Ten schools

Nov 26, 2011

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