Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Honoring Excellence: Letterwinners Awarded Iconic Letter Jackets
11/13/2024 2:45:00 PM | General
By Sean Dennison
With homecoming taking place this weekend, there's no better time to focus in on the letter jacket.
Letter jackets – aka varsity jackets – are iconic symbols of achievement, dedication and school pride. Their classic design – a wool body with leather or leather-like sleeves, a bold chenille letter, and, sometimes, patches celebrating accomplishments – stands out as a badge of honor for student-athletes. When you wear a letter jacket, you're not only displaying your hard work but also sharing in the legacy of those who came before you – think Otto Graham, Luke Donald, Izzy Scane and Boo Buie – adding your name to a long-standing tradition.
Beyond their symbolism, letter jackets – whose origin dates to Harvard's baseball team in the 1860s – are stylish and versatile pieces that look great with almost any outfit. We think of the varsity jacket Axel Foley sported in Beverly Hills Cop. Sprinkle in some Zack Morris and A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell and you know what we are talking about. They carry a retro charm that never fades, embodying a perfect mix of pride and fashion. Many people cherish their jackets long after graduation, treasuring them as mementos of the good 'ol days.
Northwestern Athletics has created a new event to celebrate letterwinners, the first of which took place on Monday night at Walter Athletics Center. Coaches, staff and student-athletes from all 19 varsity programs were in attendance.
Letter awards for non-first-years were distributed to student-athletes throughout the day at Nona Jo's.
Gallery: (11-13-2024) Letter Jacket Ceremony
"It's a huge accomplishment to receive my letter jacket," said A.J. Henning of the football team. "Being able to represent the 'N' both on and off the field is a huge honor."
The current letter award process looks like this: First year receives a jacket, second year receives a watch, third year receives a blanket, fourth year receives a plaque and participation year receives a pen.
"Today we started a new ceremony – something we are going to lean in to and embrace – where we presented first-year letterwinners with their letter jacket at a special event, commemorating their dedication to being a Northwestern student-athlete," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "Our 'Cats do exceptionally well in the classroom, and they make us proud in how they compete in their respective sports. We wanted to create a unique event where we can let them know how invested we are in their future and how grateful we are for their commitment."
"It's great to know I will always be a part of the Northwestern community, that I get to be one of the few people able to wear this jacket," said softball's Isabel Cunnea.
Keep an eye open for letter jackets from years past on campus this weekend. We have added to the club.
With homecoming taking place this weekend, there's no better time to focus in on the letter jacket.
Letter jackets – aka varsity jackets – are iconic symbols of achievement, dedication and school pride. Their classic design – a wool body with leather or leather-like sleeves, a bold chenille letter, and, sometimes, patches celebrating accomplishments – stands out as a badge of honor for student-athletes. When you wear a letter jacket, you're not only displaying your hard work but also sharing in the legacy of those who came before you – think Otto Graham, Luke Donald, Izzy Scane and Boo Buie – adding your name to a long-standing tradition.
Beyond their symbolism, letter jackets – whose origin dates to Harvard's baseball team in the 1860s – are stylish and versatile pieces that look great with almost any outfit. We think of the varsity jacket Axel Foley sported in Beverly Hills Cop. Sprinkle in some Zack Morris and A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell and you know what we are talking about. They carry a retro charm that never fades, embodying a perfect mix of pride and fashion. Many people cherish their jackets long after graduation, treasuring them as mementos of the good 'ol days.
Northwestern Athletics has created a new event to celebrate letterwinners, the first of which took place on Monday night at Walter Athletics Center. Coaches, staff and student-athletes from all 19 varsity programs were in attendance.
Letter awards for non-first-years were distributed to student-athletes throughout the day at Nona Jo's.
The current letter award process looks like this: First year receives a jacket, second year receives a watch, third year receives a blanket, fourth year receives a plaque and participation year receives a pen.
"Today we started a new ceremony – something we are going to lean in to and embrace – where we presented first-year letterwinners with their letter jacket at a special event, commemorating their dedication to being a Northwestern student-athlete," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "Our 'Cats do exceptionally well in the classroom, and they make us proud in how they compete in their respective sports. We wanted to create a unique event where we can let them know how invested we are in their future and how grateful we are for their commitment."
"It's great to know I will always be a part of the Northwestern community, that I get to be one of the few people able to wear this jacket," said softball's Isabel Cunnea.
Keep an eye open for letter jackets from years past on campus this weekend. We have added to the club.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
WR
/ Football
A
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