Northwestern University Athletics
Spotlight Shines on #B1GCats at Big Ten Media Day
7/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 28, 2014
WATCH: Behind the Scenes at Big Ten Media Day | |
P. Fitzgerald Media Day News Conference -- Full Transcript 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Football's back.
There was no doubting that certainty after Day One of the 2014 Big Ten Football Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon events, held for the second year in a row at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue. Now in its 43rd year, this season's festivities are the first for the Conference since it officially grew to 14 teams with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, and Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, Ibraheim Campbell, Collin Ellis and Trevor Siemian were there to welcome the newcomers and share their thoughts on the upcoming year.
These 3 are ready to step into the spotlight today. #B1GMediaDay @NUFBFamily pic.twitter.com/mbaOgvkUBC
-- Northwestern Sports (@NU_Sports) July 28, 2014
Fitzgerald had the honor of leading off the general coaches media sessions, accompanied by his Northwestern colleague and Director of Digital and Social Communications Doug Meffley. Fitzgerald hit on numerous topics during his address, including the cohesiveness of his team entering fall camp, the leadership of senior quarterback Trevor Siemian and the impressive academic achievements of his program in recent seasons.
Fitzgerald: "We will get back to what we do." BTN.com
Tune in to @BigTenNetwork right NOW to hear from @coachfitz51 at #B1GMediaDay! pic.twitter.com/ilWmfJ8BF6
-- Northwestern Sports (@NU_Sports) July 28, 2014
Don't have time to watch or read all of Coach Fitz' address? Get the gist of the conversation with this word cloud created from the text of his opening statement and Q&A responses:
In between being put through the car wash at the Hilton Chicago, Fitzgerald managed to briefly escape around lunch to spend some time in the studio with The Game 87.7's David Kaplan and David Haugh on the Kap & Haugh show. With 'talking' being the theme of the day, Coach Fitz admitted he's not opposed to some friendly banter among fanbases this time of year, explaining that he remains "a fan first and a coach second." Hear what else was discussed by listening to the segment here:
LISTEN: Coach Fitz with Kap & Haugh
Meanwhile, NU's trio of seniors in attendance were enjoying their time spent in downtown Chicago and looking ahead to a football season that begins in less than one week, with their first practice scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4.
But don't just take our word for it. Check out the behind-the-scenes video below to see firsthand the Wildcats being put through the ringer and to hear what they thought of the experience.
The festivities resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday with a two-hour roundtable media session followed by the 43rd annual Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tune into the Big Ten Network for continued coverage of all the events and conversation ongoing at the Hilton Chicago.
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