Northwestern University Athletics
Outback Bowl Report: Wednesday, Dec. 30
12/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 30, 2009
TAMPA, Fla. -- The final practice of the 2009 season, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) breakfast and Beach Day in Clearwater highlighted Northwestern's Wednesday at the Outback Bowl.
The day began with an FCA breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Downtown with featured speaker Tony Dungy, former Indianapolis Colts head coach and Super Bowl champion. Dungy gave a shoutout to Northwestern graduate assistant Louis Ayeni who played for Dungy in Indianapolis, and also thanked Pat Fitzgerald for not injuring Peyton Manning at the 1997 Citrus Bowl and preventing the Colts from drafting the future Hall of Famer.
Senior Andrew Brewer gave a few remarks in addition to Fitzgerald at the event. View a very brief photo gallery here.
Northwestern then took the field at Tampa Jesuit for its final Outback bowl practice of the week and final practice of 2009, period. The Wildcats will have a brief walk through at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday.
While Wednesday's helmet-only workout was closed to everyone, several special guests were in attendance including University President Morton Schapiro, Dan and Susan Jones (who endowed the head coaching position at Northwestern) and Steve Erickson, Senior Vice President of Operations at Outback Steakhouse. Northwestern alums David Wasielewski and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Austin King also were on hand.
Select players then joined Northwestern's spirit squads and band members in Clearwater at Outback Bowl Beach Day. Spirit squads competed against each other in various events and head coach Pat Fitzgerald spoke to the crowd, which was very heavily tilted toward the Purple and White.
View a photo gallery of Beach Day by clicking here.
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM PREPPED FOR BOWL
 Northwestern's end zone and the Outback Bowl logos have been painted on the Raymond James Stadium field.  |
|
Eric Peterman SIGNED TO BEARS PRACTICE SQUAD
In other Northwestern news, Wildcat alumnus Eric Peterman was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad today. Peterman spent the entire preseason with the organization, making three catches for 39 yards.
