March 25, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill.-Northwestern University and Syracuse University announced today a four-year, home-and-home football series, which will begin in the 2008 season.
The Wildcats host the Orangemen Aug. 30, 2008 in the series' first game before making consecutive trips to Syracuse in 2009 and 2012. The final game of the four-year set takes place at Ryan Field in 2013. Dates are subject to change, however.
"Northwestern is committed to playing a competitive nonconference schedule," said Rick Taylor, Northwestern's director of athletics. "We believe that a strong nonconference season will help prepare our football program for the rigors of the Big Ten."
This will be Northwestern's first scheduled game against a Big East foe since the Wildcats played Boston College in 1992 and '93. Northwestern and Syracuse have met seven times previously (Syracuse leads the series 4-3), with the last game coming in the 1984 season. The two schools first met on the gridiron in 1940.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2003 season. Northwestern has kept season ticket pricing the same as last year and has added three partial season ticket plans. Regular reserved season tickets sell at $170-a $50 savings from single game ticket prices. Additionally, NU will once again offer end zone season tickets at a further discounted price of $120. A season-long family plan of two adult tickets and three youth tickets is available at $360. Season tickets are now on sale, by visiting NUsports.com or calling 847-491-CATS.
Each of the partial season plans or "Three Packs" are priced at $90 and include three games. Three Pack #1 offers Air Force, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Three Pack #2 is Miami, Minnesota and Penn State. The final Three Pack includes Air Force, Miami and Michigan. Three Pack plans go on sale May 5.
Nonconference single game tickets will once again be priced at $30 and go on public sale July 1. Big Ten single game tickets will be priced at $40 with sales to the general public beginning August 25.