Photo by: S. J. Carrera, Inc.
Hanaoka Selected By Teammates To Wear No. 1 Jersey
8/7/2018 12:46:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Senior running back Chad Hanaoka has been selected by his teammates for the honor of wearing the Wildcats No. 1 jersey for the 2018-19 season.
"The No. 1 jersey, in our program, is used to recognize the young man who truly embodies the values and character of the Northwestern football family," said Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald. "It is worn by someone who consistently dedicates himself as a great teammate, an excellent student and an influential member of our community. It is more than a flashy number, here it represents a way of life. Chad started his Wildcats career as an intern in our video office, and is an absolute testament to the power of perseverance. He is beloved by his teammates, and brings a positive attitude every day in everything he does."
The tradition of the No. 1 jersey began in 2011 when Fitzgerald bestowed the honor upon defensive lineman and special teams standout Bo Cisek. Since then, Tim Hanrahan (2013, '14), Max Chapman (2015), Anthony Walker Jr. (2016) and Tyler Lancaster (2017) have been selected for the recognition by their peers.
Hanaoka made his on-field debut in the 2016 Outback Bowl, and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native is majoring in biological sciences, with a concentration in molecular & developmental neurobiology. Among a variety of community initiatives, he is the Vice President of Northwestern's Uplifting Athletes chapter, and the founder and president of NU's Wishmakers, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"The jersey represents so much more than just me, it's the legacy of the incredible players and even better people who wore the jersey before me," said Hanaoka. "It's this team, this family, that embraced a kid from Hawaii and truly became my 'ohana, celebrating with me in times of triumph and laughter and lifting me up in times of hardship. To them, I owe it all."
Northwestern kicks off the 2018 season on Thursday, August 30, with a Big Ten West Division matchup against Purdue in West Lafayette (7 p.m CT, ESPN/WGN720). The home slate opens Saturday, September 8, when the Wildcats host Duke, and begins a hotly-anticipated fall in Evanston where Northwestern will welcome Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Notre Dame to Ryan Field.
"The No. 1 jersey, in our program, is used to recognize the young man who truly embodies the values and character of the Northwestern football family," said Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald. "It is worn by someone who consistently dedicates himself as a great teammate, an excellent student and an influential member of our community. It is more than a flashy number, here it represents a way of life. Chad started his Wildcats career as an intern in our video office, and is an absolute testament to the power of perseverance. He is beloved by his teammates, and brings a positive attitude every day in everything he does."
The tradition of the No. 1 jersey began in 2011 when Fitzgerald bestowed the honor upon defensive lineman and special teams standout Bo Cisek. Since then, Tim Hanrahan (2013, '14), Max Chapman (2015), Anthony Walker Jr. (2016) and Tyler Lancaster (2017) have been selected for the recognition by their peers.
Hanaoka made his on-field debut in the 2016 Outback Bowl, and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native is majoring in biological sciences, with a concentration in molecular & developmental neurobiology. Among a variety of community initiatives, he is the Vice President of Northwestern's Uplifting Athletes chapter, and the founder and president of NU's Wishmakers, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"The jersey represents so much more than just me, it's the legacy of the incredible players and even better people who wore the jersey before me," said Hanaoka. "It's this team, this family, that embraced a kid from Hawaii and truly became my 'ohana, celebrating with me in times of triumph and laughter and lifting me up in times of hardship. To them, I owe it all."
Northwestern kicks off the 2018 season on Thursday, August 30, with a Big Ten West Division matchup against Purdue in West Lafayette (7 p.m CT, ESPN/WGN720). The home slate opens Saturday, September 8, when the Wildcats host Duke, and begins a hotly-anticipated fall in Evanston where Northwestern will welcome Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Notre Dame to Ryan Field.
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