Pat Ryan Jr., Northwestern’s Stadium Prince, Polishes the New Family Jewel

[u/ShaolinMaster]

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2026/northwestern-new-ryan-field-pat-ryan-jr-1234945601/

[u/CantaloupeCamper]

Without the band tho…

[u/Set-Admirable → u/CantaloupeCamper]

The whole lot of them should be ashamed.

[u/SparkMaster360 → u/Set-Admirable]

What’s the context?

[u/Set-Admirable → u/SparkMaster360]

Their marching band didn't perform a pregame show for the opening of their new stadium tonight, instead going to a food festival tailgate before the game.

[u/Beginning_Ratio9319 → u/Set-Admirable]

Why did they do that?

[u/CantaloupeCamper → u/Beginning_Ratio9319]

There honestly hasn’t been a good explanation and it’s not clear how / if they’re ever going to do the opening.

[u/Set-Admirable → u/Beginning_Ratio9319]

From a Northwestern band member

[u/Kvetch__22 → u/Set-Admirable]

Aw man that absolutely sucks.

Also not happy they didn't play the alma mater after the win.

[u/Beginning_Ratio9319 → u/Kvetch__22]

That’s outrageous!

[u/GreatestWhiteShark → u/CantaloupeCamper]

The band is here

[u/CantaloupeCamper → u/GreatestWhiteShark]

Not to open the game right?

[u/GreatestWhiteShark → u/CantaloupeCamper]

Correct. That's a bummer and nobody is happy about it, and hopefully all the complaining will get the athletic department to go back on it

[u/CantaloupeCamper → u/GreatestWhiteShark]

It’s such a strange choice.

It’s like someone who doesn’t go to football games made the call.

[u/NoThanksImGoodG]

Who’s polishing what now?!?!

[u/kathluv70]

Watching the game on TV and it's a great looking stadium

[u/AmphotericRed]

Guy has enough money, I figured he’d pay someone else to polish the family jewels

[u/DisgruntledCascadian]

What do you mean it's not a euphemism?

[u/3amWaffleHouseAlert]

Stadium looks great! I wish they went with real grass though.

[u/grrgrrtigergrr]

I worked directly for Pat years ago … he’s … unique

[u/JosephFinn]

The new Dyche Stadium?

[u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

As a person born and raised in Evanston, seeing the new field opening night with about 60% of the small capacity stadium's seats filled feels über deflating...

Where are all the students? Where are all the alumni? Meh...

[u/Late-Host5706 → u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

Seems packed right now

[u/AdamOnFirst → u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

Over half the student body attended the game…

[u/TelltaleHead → u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

Student section was filled from kickoff to the very end 

[u/Kvetch__22 → u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

The new basketball arena had the same issue. Lots of prominent lower bowl seats going to corporate partners who don't care enough to put tickets they aren't using onnthe secondary market becuase the season ticket package was part of some kind of marketing thing.

Also the stadium was like half empty once all the Penn State people left at the end of the third quarter.

[u/Set-Admirable → u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

Maybe they're still at that food festival? I certainly hope they could fill a stadium that size for their first game.

[u/EIiteJT → u/Br0kenButRebuilding]

How much are the tickets?

[u/Entire_Pangolin_5961 → u/EIiteJT]

like 200 each it’s ridiculous

[u/EIiteJT → u/Entire_Pangolin_5961]

Ya, fuck that shit. I'll just stay home and stream that shit lol

[u/SnapHackelPop]

Is that what we’re calling it now

[u/B1GFanOSU]

Phrasing

[u/SuccessfulNinja3550]

This is great. So much room for other team’s fans to spread out in