#ThinkB1G In-Foe-Graphic Series: Northwestern
6/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
In conjunction with Maryland's historic move to the Big Ten Conference on July 1, Maryland athletics will be taking an in-depth look at its future Big Ten foes. Today we continue the series by profiling Northwestern University.
June 2: Illinois; June 4: Indiana; June 6: Iowa; June 9: Michigan; June 11: Michigan State; June 13: Minnesota; June 16: Nebraska; June 18: Northwestern; June 20: Ohio State; June 23: Penn State; June 25: Purdue; June 27: Rutgers; June 30: Wisconsin
About Northwestern
• Location: Evanston, Illinois
• Founded: 1851
• Enrollment: 20,439
• President: Morton Schapiro
• Athletic Director: Jim Phillips
Northwestern Athletics
• School Colors: Purple
• Nickname: Wildcats
• Joined Big Ten Conference: 1896
• Football Stadium (capacity): Ryan Field (47,130)
• Basketball Arena (capacity): Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117)
• Varsity Teams: 19
• Most Successful Sport: Women's lacrosse - 7 national titles
• First B1G event at Maryland: October 17, 2014 - Volleyball
History
Basketball
• All-time basketball record: 974-1143 (.403)
• Conference Championships: 2
• Head Coach: Chris Collins
Football
• All-time football record: 489-645-42 (.434)
• Conference/National Championships: 8/0
• Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Notable Former Athletes
• Basketball: Billy McKinney, Evan Eschmeyer, Don Adams
• Football: Marquice Cole, Brian Arnfelt, Mike Kafka
Notable Alumni
• Cindy Crawford: model
• Stephen Colbert: television host
• Seth Meyers: comedian, late night television host
• Joe Girardi: manager of New York Yankees
Fun Fact: "Painting the Rock"
The Rock is a purple and white quartzite boulder located on Northwestern University's campus that dates from hundreds of years ago. A gift of the class of 1902, The Rock was transplanted from Devil's Lake, Wisconsin and once contained a fountain in the middle.
In the 1940s, students began painting The Rock as a means of expression – anti-war slogans, team support, advertisements, birthday wishes and even a marriage proposal. In 1957, the first permanent coat of pigment was applied to The Rock, giving it a blank canvas.
In order to gain the privilege of painting The Rock, students must “guard” The Rock for a full 24 hours — sun-up to sun-up — before they may begin.
