|
|
Football Team
The football team didn't become the Wildcats until the 1930s, when
they adopted that name from a newspaper article that ran a decade earlier. A Chicago Tribune
reporter had written in 1924 that even in a loss to the University of Chicago Maroons, the
Northwestern football players looked like "Wildcats [that] had come down from Evanston."
Northwestern University Traditions:
The color purple (with white) was selected by a special committee in 1894 as the official school
color, not only for the athletic teams, but for the entire university.
The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk goes annually to the winner of the Northwestern-Illinois football game.
The Sweet Sioux initially was designed as an authentic wooden Indian, like those that used to stand in
front of cigar stores throughout the nation. It eventually posed a transportation problem and was
replaced by the current Tomahawk. Northwestern and Illinois met for the 100th time on Nov. 18, 2006 in Evanston. Since 1945, the two
teams have played for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy. Illinois leads the overall series 51-44-5,
although the Wildcats have won the last four games (2003-06). Since the two teams began playing
for the Sweet Sioux, Illinois holds a 31-27-2 series advantage. Northwestern gained possession of the
first trophy with a 13-7 victory over Illinois in 1945.
Willie the Wildcat:
Willie the Wildcat is a very busy mascot. He spends much of his time cheering on his fellow
Wildcats at athletic events throughout the year. You may also catch Willie around Northwestern's campus as he promotes
events, interacts with students, or even goes to class! Although Willie keeps busy at Northwestern, he enjoys making
special appearances at other events such as birthday parties, reunions, weddings, corporate events, charity events,
etc.
|
|
|
