Sept. 15, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Wildcats are proud of the success New York Giant Barry Cofield and San Diego Charger Luis Castillo have achieved at NU and in the NFL, but the 'Cats are even more impressed with what they continue to do off the field. As student-athletes, Cofield and Castillo contributed to the thousands of hours the Wildcats volunteer in the community each year. After graduation, the duo continued to give back to communities across the country and beyond, including Castillo who runs football camps in Mexico each year.
For the last two years, these former 'Cats have donated NU football tickets, transportation and souvenirs to Family Focus and Y.O.U. in Evanston, which are two groups they were involved in as student-athletes. These kids were also able to take the field to form the team tunnel before the football game in 2007 and were surprised with a video message from Castillo that ran on the videoboard that day.
"The kids were excited to be at a Big Ten Football game, but when we took them on the field for the team tunnel that excitement went to a whole new level," said Tracie Hitz, associate athletic director for sales and marketing. "Barry and Luis gave these kids a special memory they will never forget."
Last year, Cofield extended his donation to include 200 tickets for kids in the community for the Wildcats' exciting men's basketball victory over Iowa at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 2008 Super Bowl champion was planning to surprise his guests by flying in to Evanston to watch the game, but an injury kept him back in New York.
When we checked in with them this summer, we talked about the hard economic times that people everywhere are facing. We wanted to address this, as well as find a way to reach more members of the community. The new Fan It Forward program will do just that. This program allows Wildcat fans to nominate someone who can't afford to attend a Wildcat Football game to receive tickets to a game of their choice this season. Nominations will be accepted until November 1 so please send their stories to wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu to be considered for these complimentary tickets.
You don't have to be an NFL player to make a difference in the community. Wildcat fans can also pay it forward by being part of the Ticket Turnaround Program that was created in 2006. This program encourages season ticket holders to donate their unused tickets to deserving members of the community. Fans can purchase tickets to donate back through this program as well. Please mail your unused tickets at least one week prior to the scheduled athletic event to the address below. (Be sure to include a separate piece of paper with your name, address, and the number of tickets you donated to which game(s).)
Mary Jon Girard
Youth & Family Director
McGaw YMCA
1000 Grove Street
Evanston, IL 60201
These deserving fans will also enjoy the pageantry of college football with NU's Marching Band performing throughout the day beginning at Walk With Us and Wildcat Alley, the free pregame fan fest area.To see some of the incredible community service the Wildcat student-athletes have been a part of through the years please click here. Plus, hear straight from the 'Cats by joining us on Facebook or by following us on Twitter.