Aug. 3, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's 2009 football season gets underway in earnest in less than one week.
This Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 8-9), the Wildcats report to Evanston and begin their first official workout at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 in Evanston. Five days later, Northwestern moves its preseason football camp to Kenosha, Wis., for eight full days of practice, starting Aug. 17. This is the 18th straight year the Wildcats have held part of their preseason camp at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus.
"I'm excited to have our freshmen report on Saturday and the veterans on Sunday," says fourth-year coach Pat Fitzgerald. "Everyone on our staff is ready to get the season underway.
"Having experienced Camp Kenosha as both a player and as a coach, I can tell you the time spent away from everyday distractions and the ability to concentrate just on football is invaluable. The accommodations, hospitality and the facilities provided by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside are second to none, which allows us to focus on becoming the best football team we can be for the upcoming season."
Northwestern will hold its annual preseason scrimmage, set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at a new location this year -- George Nelson Tremper High School in Kenosha (see directions and address below).
Northwestern then returns to Evanston on Aug. 25 to prepare for its Sept. 5 opener vs. Towson (11 a.m. CT, Big Ten Network).
The following is Northwestern's Kenosha practice schedule. (All practices take place at UW-Parkside, unless otherwise noted. Closed practices -- to both media and the public -- are also noted.)
NOTE: All practices, other than the Aug. 22 scrimmage, are CLOSED to the general public. For high school coaches, scouts, friends of the program, etc., wishing to attend practice, please contact David Reitz (Email: davidreitz2010@u.northwestern.edu) in the NU football office (847-467-3708) for a practice credential.
The Wildcats will hold their first seven practices in Evanston (starting at 4 p.m. on Aug. 10) before heading north.
| Aug. 17 | 8:50 to 11 a.m. & 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. | Recap | Photo Gallery |
| Aug. 18 | 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. | Recap | Photo Gallery |
| Aug. 19 | 8:50 to 11 a.m. & 6 to 8 p.m. (evening closed) | Recap | Photo Gallery |
| Aug. 20 | 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (Big Ten Network Tour) | Recap | Photo Gallery |
| Aug. 21 | 8:50 to 11 a.m. | Recap | |
| Aug. 22 | Scrimmage - 3 p.m. (at Tremper High School) | Recap | Photo Gallery |
| Aug. 23 | No Practice | ||
| Aug. 24 | 8:50 to 11 a.m. & 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. (afternoon closed) | Recap | Photo Gallery |
All practice times and location subject to change
Directions to UW-Parkside: Take I-94 WEST to State Highway 142 (The usual Highway E exit is closed due to construction). Go east on Highway 142 to Highway 31, then north on Highway 31 to Highway E. Go east on Highway E to County Highway JR (Petrifying Springs Road). Go left on County Highway JR (Petrifying Springs Road), approximately 200 yards, to the UW-Parkside athletic department. Football fields are located approximately 300 yards east of the athletic department.
Directions to Tremper High School: Take I-94 West into Wisconsin and exit at 104th Street (Highway 165). Turn right (going east) and continue on 104th Street for approximately five miles then turn left (north) on 39th Street. Continue 2.0 miles to 85th Street and turn right. Continue east on 85th Street 30th Ave. (the original directions said to turn on 26th Ave. but during the week the street was re-painted as one-way in the other direction). Tremper High School (8560 26th Avenue, Kenosha) is on the left.