With temperatures in the 30s, the Northwestern Wildcats took the field for their season opener Saturday night. There were no fans in the stands of Ryan Field and no tailgating outside, but Purple Nation was happy to have football back.
© Northwestern – NUSports.com
As part of the media contingent, I arrived early, not knowing what to expect but wanting to check out all aspects of game day. The empty parking lots were a strange and sad sight. Usually they are a sea of purple, as fans tailgate all day. Some fans come just to tailgate, watching the game on their own televisions in the lot. While there was no such activity at Ryan Field, there were plenty of neighborhood outdoor watch parties.
I am usually the first media member to arrive. I enjoy being in the empty stadium, soaking in the serenity. Then I watch as the stadium comes alive with players, workers and other media members.
Everyone in the stadium wore masks and maintained a social distance. Even when interacting with the team, the press members kept a distance. Other than that, it was business and fun as usual. Everything went smoothly, especially for the Wildcats.
© Northwestern – NUSports.com
The University of Maryland Terrapins struck first with a field goal, but it was all Northwestern after that, as the Wildcats rolled to a 43–3 win. In his 15th season at Northwestern, coach Pat Fitzgerald earned his 100th win.
I drove home tired and a bit chilled but was happy at the return of Northwestern football. Northwestern has seven more games in this slightly abbreviated season, three of which I will see in person and four I will watch on television. Either way is a great way to spend a fall Saturday.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
© Northwestern – NUSports.com
© Northwestern – NUSports.com
© Northwestern – NUSports.com
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jun 3, 2025Pan Pacific London Unveils Newly Renovated Suites
Pan Pacific London recently unveiled a new standard of luxury across its 42 suites, boasting a tapestry of textures, colors and botanical motifs, designed by Singapore-based FDAT.
Sponsored Content
Lech Walesa on Tour: A Conversation with a Man Who Changed the World
Some events change a nation. Some change the world.
Daily
Jun 3, 2025Prospect, A New Mountain Lake Resort, Opens in the Berkshires
Prospect, a new year-round retreat on the shores of Prospect Lake in Western Massachusetts, recently opened. What started as a picnic area for families in the late 1800s eventually turned into a camping ground. The site is now reimagined as a peaceful hotel. Prospect provides a new era of lakeside recreation and reconnection for travelers.
June 2025
Jun 3, 2025Now’s the Time to See Giza, the Nile and Beyond
All archaeology-obsessed eyes turned hopefully toward Egypt earlier this year when the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum outside Cairo finally began welcoming visitors after construction delays, funding roadblocks and political upheaval in the region (among other factors) conspired to keep things delayed for many long years. The museum’s cherry on the top is slated to open this summer, with the July opening of the museum’s 20-plus-years-in-the-making Tutankhamen galleries and accompanying cache of some 5,000 artifacts and treasures from the boy king’s tomb.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Next MICE Destination
Seoul has rapidly become a leading global MICE hub, known for its rich culture, advanced technology and strong economy. As the capital of South Korea, it offers a strategic location in East Asia and a booming cultural influence through K-pop, K-movies, Korean cuisine and K-dramas. With its vibrant atmosphere and business-friendly environment, Seoul is increasingly the top choice for MICE organizers and corporate travelers seeking connection and collaboration.
Daily
Jun 3, 2025Yale Center for British Art Reopens in New Haven, Connecticut
Yale Center for British Art reopened to the public this spring with a special exhibition of work by Tracey Emin, one of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists. Tracey Emin’s I Loved You Until The Morning collection is the first presentation of Emin’s work in a North American museum.
Cigar & Fire Evening in Mohegan, Pennsylvania
Daily
Jun 2, 2025On the Road
June 2025
Jun 1, 2025Sponsored Content
Lech Walesa on Tour: A Conversation with a Man Who Changed the World
Some events change a nation. Some change the world.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
Daily
May 30, 2025Grupo Brisas Opens New Las Brisas Mérida Boutique Hotel
Grupo Brisas opened its newest property in Mexico. Las Brisas Mérida, an exclusive boutique hotel strategically located in the heart of the interesting Mexican town of Mérida within the Yucatan Peninsula, marks the brand’s 13th property in Mexico. Grupo Brisas reaffirms its leadership as one of the fastest-growing Mexican hotel chains in the country.
ShareThis