June 8, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's Wildcats are gearing up for the best ride of the summer with the 2009 'Cats Caravan. Now in its second year, this summer road tour will make stops at fairs, festivals and parades throughout the Chicago area to give fans chances to win tickets to Wildcat Football games, receive free giveaway items, take photos with championship trophies and receive information about football ticket discounts.

Just like last summer, fans can also meet coaches, current and former student-athletes and Willie the Wildcat at select stops on the caravan. One of the highlights last summer was playing bean bags with Coach Fitzgerald and Willie the Wildcat at the Brookfield Zoo, which will be a stop on the tour again this year.

"Last year Coach Fitzgerald and the Wildcats entertained lines of zoo guests with games and awesome giveaways on the North Mall of the zoo. Guests wearing purple shirts, Coach Fitzgerald and Willie the Wildcat were visible throughout Brookfield zoo that day," said Ashley Steinsdoerfer, marketing coordinator for the Chicago Zoological Society -- Brookfield Zoo. "It was clear to us that guests came to the Zoo to see and support their favorite team. Again this summer we look forward to hosting the Wildcats and their fans for round two!"

Another stop on the 'Cats Caravan that will be repeated this summer is the Evanston Fourth of July Parade. In addition to supporting this community event as an official sponsor this year, fans are also invited to the special Kick for Tix event at Ryan Field for a chance to kick field goals to win tickets to Wildcat home football games this season.

"We are excited to be back out in the community this summer to meet fans, give away football tickets and provide information about attending Wildcat home games at an affordable price," said Tracie Hitz, associate athletic director for sales and marketing. "We have several new initiatives this year that will reach out to members of the community to become part of the Wildcat Family."

For more information about these initiatives, as well as updated stops on the 'Cats Caravan this summer, be sure to keep checking the calendar on NUsports.com, e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu or join us on Facebook.

2009 'Cats Caravan Schedule

June
20-21 • Custer's Last Stand -- Evanston
27 • Taste of Chicago Sports Pavilion (2 to 6 p.m.) -- Chicago

July
4 • Evanston Fourth of July Parade -- Evanston
10 and 12 • Brookfield Zoo -- Brookfield
25-26 • Taste of Lincoln Avenue -- Chicago

August
8-9 • Lincoln Park Fest -- Chicago
15-16 • Long Grove Arts Fest -- Long Grove

• More dates to be added!

Tickets/Future Schedules

BOWL CENTRAL

The Team

2011 Ryan Field Fan Guide 

Coaches' Corner

Camps and Clinics

PERSASTRONG.com

Ryan Field

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