Football Game With Navy Canceled
9/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 12, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - By mutual agreement, Northwestern University and the U.S. Naval Academy will cancel their football game scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 15 at Ryan Field. The game will not be re-scheduled.
"Out of respect for our country and concern for the safety of our student-athletes, it is in the best interest of both schools to cancel this game," said Rick Taylor, Northwestern's director of athletics. "We understand that other schools may be able to go ahead with their games, but given the unique circumstance of playing one of our U.S. military academies, we felt it was best not to play on Saturday.
"Unfortunately, we have no common open dates to make up the game this season. We were looking forward to starting our series with Navy, but we will have to wait until next season. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Northwestern University community are with the victims of yesterday's tragedy and their families."
Northwestern will establish a refund policy for all ticket holders, which will be posted on the website in the near future.
"The country has been attacked and there have been fatalities in three states," said Naval Academy Interim Director of Athletics Capt. Kevin Sinnett, USNR. "Both schools felt like it was inappropriate to play this weekend."
Northwestern also has canceled all other athletic events scheduled through Sunday, Sept. 16. The Wildcats expect to resume intercollegiate competition on Friday, Sept. 21 with matches for men's soccer, women's soccer and women's volleyball.
Northwestern's football team will now play its first home game vs. Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 29. The Wildcats play their final non-conference game at Duke on Sept. 22.
