Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Announce Ryan Field Experience Enhancements
8/28/2018 9:51:00 AM | Football, General
EVANSTON, Ill. – With fewer than two weeks remaining before the home opener on September 8 (vs. Duke; 11 a.m. CT,) Northwestern Athletics today announced a series of family-friendly enhancements to historic Ryan Field in 2018.
"Coming off a 10-win campaign and back-to-back bowl championships, and preparing for the best home schedule in college football, we will welcome more fans than ever before to Ryan Field this fall," said Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Polisky. "This offseason we assessed every element of our gameday environment, from transportation to concessions to music and more, and we intend to make the 2018 season the best our fans have ever experienced at Northwestern."
One of the most visible changes will be new concessionaire Levy Restaurants, the industry leader in sports entertainment. In addition to the food and beverage options available throughout the stadium, Levy has made changes to increase speed of service and minimize congestion.
Along with the Northwestern University Marching Band, music at Ryan Field will be provided by the locally renowned DJ Commando from Power92. He will be stationed in the Northwestern Wildside student section in Ryan Field's southeast corner, creating energy from Wildcats pregame warmups on the field throughout the entire gameday.
Guests will find additional fan services locations throughout the venue and beyond, including one at the CTA Central Street station to accommodate fans using public transportation. Staff also will be available outside Ryan Field until kickoff to answer questions and provide assistance to guests.
Visitors driving to Evanston and parking on campus will be serviced by a new shuttle provider, SP+, making pickups and dropoffs at more easily accessible gameday parking lots. Additional signage will be present at the most-utilized campus lots, and a new gameday transportation hub can be found at NUSports.com. A new, dedicated rideshare pickup/dropoff location will be located near St. Athanasius Church on Lincoln Street one block south of Ryan Field.
Ryan Field itself also will feature improved wayfinding signage throughout the venue, directing fans to concession stands, restrooms and more, including a new nursing room under the south stands for families.
Wildcat Alley, and the new N Zone located at Ashland Ave. and Central St. on Ryan Field's southwest side, will house food trucks from throughout Chicagoland, a DJ, and more opportunities for families and friends to congregate pregame. Wildcat Alley will feature new, interactive activities, including a photo booth, game truck and more.
Northwestern will open the 2018 season with the longest active win streak in Power-5 college football after finishing the 2017 campaign with eight straight victories, including a Music City Bowl championship. This year's home slate that kicks off against Duke on Saturday, September 8 (11 a.m. CT) also includes visits from Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Notre Dame. A limited number of season tickets are still available by visiting NUSports.com or calling 888-GO-PURPLE. Single-game tickets for both the Notre Dame and Michigan games are sold out.
The Wildcats begin the 2018 season on Thursday, August 30, at Big Ten West Division foe Purdue. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast on ESPN and WGN Radio AM-720.
"Coming off a 10-win campaign and back-to-back bowl championships, and preparing for the best home schedule in college football, we will welcome more fans than ever before to Ryan Field this fall," said Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Polisky. "This offseason we assessed every element of our gameday environment, from transportation to concessions to music and more, and we intend to make the 2018 season the best our fans have ever experienced at Northwestern."
One of the most visible changes will be new concessionaire Levy Restaurants, the industry leader in sports entertainment. In addition to the food and beverage options available throughout the stadium, Levy has made changes to increase speed of service and minimize congestion.
Along with the Northwestern University Marching Band, music at Ryan Field will be provided by the locally renowned DJ Commando from Power92. He will be stationed in the Northwestern Wildside student section in Ryan Field's southeast corner, creating energy from Wildcats pregame warmups on the field throughout the entire gameday.
Guests will find additional fan services locations throughout the venue and beyond, including one at the CTA Central Street station to accommodate fans using public transportation. Staff also will be available outside Ryan Field until kickoff to answer questions and provide assistance to guests.
Visitors driving to Evanston and parking on campus will be serviced by a new shuttle provider, SP+, making pickups and dropoffs at more easily accessible gameday parking lots. Additional signage will be present at the most-utilized campus lots, and a new gameday transportation hub can be found at NUSports.com. A new, dedicated rideshare pickup/dropoff location will be located near St. Athanasius Church on Lincoln Street one block south of Ryan Field.
Ryan Field itself also will feature improved wayfinding signage throughout the venue, directing fans to concession stands, restrooms and more, including a new nursing room under the south stands for families.
Wildcat Alley, and the new N Zone located at Ashland Ave. and Central St. on Ryan Field's southwest side, will house food trucks from throughout Chicagoland, a DJ, and more opportunities for families and friends to congregate pregame. Wildcat Alley will feature new, interactive activities, including a photo booth, game truck and more.
Northwestern will open the 2018 season with the longest active win streak in Power-5 college football after finishing the 2017 campaign with eight straight victories, including a Music City Bowl championship. This year's home slate that kicks off against Duke on Saturday, September 8 (11 a.m. CT) also includes visits from Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Notre Dame. A limited number of season tickets are still available by visiting NUSports.com or calling 888-GO-PURPLE. Single-game tickets for both the Notre Dame and Michigan games are sold out.
The Wildcats begin the 2018 season on Thursday, August 30, at Big Ten West Division foe Purdue. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast on ESPN and WGN Radio AM-720.
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