June 10, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Wildcat fans are hitting the road this summer as part of a special `Cats Caravan to South Bend for the College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival honoring Coach Fitzgerald. The three-day festival will wrap up with a fun-filled day on Saturday, July 18, including the parade, fan fest, Hall of Famer Pep Rally, Youth Football Clinic and meet-and-greet with Coach Fitzgerald.
The Wildcats have selected 51 winners, in honor of #51 Pat Fitzgerald, to win two spots on this special Caravan this summer. The winners were randomly selected from all of the football season ticket holders who purchased their tickets before April 26. Congratulations to all of these loyal Wildcat fans who will enjoy a trip down memory lane with Coach Fitzgerald and members of the 1995 and 1996 Big Ten Champion teams.
"I am honored to be a member of the College Football Hall of Fame," Fitzgerald said. "The support I have received from our incredible fans has been overwhelming and very humbling. I look forward to seeing the Wildcat faithful in South Bend next month."
If you weren't one of the lucky winners, you can still be part of the road trip by purchasing your spot on the bus on Saturday, July 18. For only $75 per person, you will receive:
Transportation to South Bend from Ryan Field (Buses will leave at 6 a.m.)
Each bus will feature one of Coach Fitz's teammates reliving the memories of the run to the Rose Bowl and Citrus Bowl
Breakfast and snacks on the bus compliments of Great Harvest Bread, Pepsi, Kehe Foods and Entenmann's
Coach Fitz gift pack
A seat at the parade (9:30 to 11 a.m.)
A ticket to the Fan Fest Area (10 a.m to 4 p.m.), which includes the Hall of Fame Pep Rally (1:30 to 2 p.m.) and the Youth Football Clinic for fans 12 and under (2 to 3:30 p.m.)
A Meet-N-Greet with Coach Fitz
Transportation back to Evanston (Bus will leave South Bend at 5 p.m.)
Snacks will be provided on the bus and Hecky's Barbecue will be available to fans when they arrive back at Ryan Field.
If you don't live in Chicago but are planning to make the trip to South Bend on your own, please contact John Mack in the Wildcat Marketing Department at 847.491.7504 or wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu before July 1 to meet up with the 'Cats Caravan and secure your tickets to the parade and fan fest for only $15. This three-day celebration includes concerts, a Rib Cookoff, parade, fan fest and much more so if you are planning to take in all three days, please visit www.collegefootball.org for more information.
No matter which road you take to South Bend, you can let everyone know you are supporting Coach Fitzgerald by wearing the commemorative Fitz T-Shirt. You can purchase this t-shirt for only $21.99 by clicking .