Northwestern football may not be at the top of the radar for most college football fans, but something unique is happening with its field at the Illinois-based school.
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The University is without a football field for this season and next, leaving the school to have to get creative to host its games the next two seasons. What transpired is the football team overtaking the lacrosse venue, Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium.
Normally, this wouldn't be headline news but after seeing the scene on Saturday, this new 12,000-seat field is as breathtaking as it is quaint. The Northwestern football field has Lake Michigan as its backdrop. In a world where there are colossal venues like Michigan Stadium and Beaver Stadium that seat 100,000-plus, the new setup at Northwestern is a refreshing endeavor.
Head coach David Braun suspected this could be the case when the move was announced in April.
"I think it really creates a unique opportunity for us as a university to create an atmosphere and an environment on campus that will be remembered for a long, long time," he said to USA Today.
Braun also told ESPN a similar thought about the advantages it brings.
"It's going to be unique, it's going to be imperfect, but it's ours," Braun said. "It prioritizes our student-athletes and our students and our campus community. That's what's most important."
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The photos that went viral across social media support his thinking. The lakeside view from the seats is something you'd see from a Backyard Sports football field and not one you'd imagine at a scale like this.
When the school was originally figuring out where to play its home games, the iconic fields in Chicago were the favorites, be it Wrigley Field or Soldier Field. Those, however, would pale in comparison to this unique setting.
The Wildcats ushered in their temporary football field with a 13-6 victory over Miami (OH).
