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Come to the Chicago suburb of Evanston, and you will find a really nice community of
well groomed houses, leafy tree-lined streets, and a bustling "downtown" brimming
with newly built condos and loft apartments. Architecture buffs should really love this
place, for the mix of housing styles make exploring the neighborhoods here a lot of
fun. In the center of all this is Northwestern University, hugging the Lake Michigan
shoreline and a college which truly defines this community. And best of all, the world
class cultural facilities, theatres, shopping and sports of Chicago are all just a 35
minute train ride away.
Northwestern University opened in 1851, and today boasts over 1800 undergraduate
students. One walk throught the campus and the streets of Evanston and you can feel
a sense of tradition and a bridge to its storied past.
And then there's Ryan Field, the University's football stadium which is your
quintessential neighborhood venue. In fact, the stadium isn't even located on the
campus proper, but is tucked into a residential community about 1 1/2 miles north of
downtown Evanston. Adjoining the stadium is their basketball venue, the Welsh-Ryan
Arena.
The stadium was built in 1926, and like many of its peer facilities, underwent
numerous renovations and expansions. The most recent facelift took place in 1997, a
$20 MM project which included installation of natural grass turf, an enclosed three
tiered structure high above the stadium's west side for press facilities and an indoor
club seating configuration, and new end zone locker rooms, training and sports
medicine facilities.
Parking at the stadium is really limited, so they have made available an entire network
of satellite parking lots scattered throughout downtown Evanston and on campus.
Shuttle busses run throughout town to pick up fans and deposit them outside the
stadium gates. Nevertheless, on game days the streets are bustling with fans, and
there is a bit of tailgate scene not only outside the venue, but even far away in the
remote parking facilities. Souvenir vendors and hot dog stands are in abundance on
the plazas near Ryan Field.
Unfortunately on this day, the ferocious animal had to be somewhat upset with what
happened on the field, as the 'Cats committed some critical turnovers in the first half
and it eventually led to Northwestern's demise by a 41-10 count. However, for a
program long known for its ineptitude, (it used to own the record for longest losing
streak in Division 1 history) he has to be somewhat satisfied with the team's 5-6
record at that point in the season.
All in all a great day for football in classic football weather....overcast, damp, and
chilly.....as it should be!
well groomed houses, leafy tree-lined streets, and a bustling "downtown" brimming
with newly built condos and loft apartments. Architecture buffs should really love this
place, for the mix of housing styles make exploring the neighborhoods here a lot of
fun. In the center of all this is Northwestern University, hugging the Lake Michigan
shoreline and a college which truly defines this community. And best of all, the world
class cultural facilities, theatres, shopping and sports of Chicago are all just a 35
minute train ride away.
Northwestern University opened in 1851, and today boasts over 1800 undergraduate
students. One walk throught the campus and the streets of Evanston and you can feel
a sense of tradition and a bridge to its storied past.
And then there's Ryan Field, the University's football stadium which is your
quintessential neighborhood venue. In fact, the stadium isn't even located on the
campus proper, but is tucked into a residential community about 1 1/2 miles north of
downtown Evanston. Adjoining the stadium is their basketball venue, the Welsh-Ryan
Arena.
The stadium was built in 1926, and like many of its peer facilities, underwent
numerous renovations and expansions. The most recent facelift took place in 1997, a
$20 MM project which included installation of natural grass turf, an enclosed three
tiered structure high above the stadium's west side for press facilities and an indoor
club seating configuration, and new end zone locker rooms, training and sports
medicine facilities.
Parking at the stadium is really limited, so they have made available an entire network
of satellite parking lots scattered throughout downtown Evanston and on campus.
Shuttle busses run throughout town to pick up fans and deposit them outside the
stadium gates. Nevertheless, on game days the streets are bustling with fans, and
there is a bit of tailgate scene not only outside the venue, but even far away in the
remote parking facilities. Souvenir vendors and hot dog stands are in abundance on
the plazas near Ryan Field.
Unfortunately on this day, the ferocious animal had to be somewhat upset with what
happened on the field, as the 'Cats committed some critical turnovers in the first half
and it eventually led to Northwestern's demise by a 41-10 count. However, for a
program long known for its ineptitude, (it used to own the record for longest losing
streak in Division 1 history) he has to be somewhat satisfied with the team's 5-6
record at that point in the season.
All in all a great day for football in classic football weather....overcast, damp, and
chilly.....as it should be!
RYAN FIELD
EVANSTON,
ILLINOIS
NORTHWESTERN
UNIVERSITY
WILDCATS
November 15,
2003
Ryan Field