MUSIC - Take me back to Chicago by Chicago

Ryan Field - still standing Welsh Ryan Arena - still standing

Ryan field is the home stadium for the Northwestern University Wildcats. Located about 15 miles north of downtown Chicago in Evanston, Northwestern is just off the shores of Lake Michigan. Dyche stadium opened in 1926 and has been the primary home for Wildcats football ever since. It was named after William Dyche (class of 1882) the former mayor of Evanston and the overseer of the construction of the stadium. In 1997 the stadium was renamed Ryan field after Patrick Ryan who donated 8 million dollars to the stadiums renovation.

In 1970 the Chicago Bears played their first home game of the season at Dyche stadium. The NFL was pressuring the Bears to move out of Wrigley field due to the fact it seated less than 50,000. So, on September 27th 1970, the Bears played the Philadelphia Eagles at Dyche. The final was Chicago 20 and Philadelphia 16. The Bears moved back to Wrigley after that game, then to Soldier field the following season.

The university took on a 28 million dollar renovation of the facility in 1996. A new pressbox, concession stands, wider seating, and media center were among the projects that were remodeled. The stadium had plastic grass (AKA artificial turf) from 1973 thru the 1996 season. The real stuff (grass that is) took over for the 1997 season.

Welsh-Ryan arena is located just in back of the North end zone of Ryan field. It has been home to Wildcat basketball, volleyball and wrestling since 1952. Originally, it was known as McGaw Memorial Hall. The building was named by benefactor Foster McGaw for his father Francis McGaw who was a Presbyterian minister. In 1983 the arena was renamed in honor of Patrick Ryan, president of the board of trustees and his wife's parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Welsh, Sr.

Prior to Ryan arena, the Wildcats played in old Patten Gymnasium. The original Patten gym was built in 1910 and hosted the men's NCAA final four basketball tournament in 1939. In that tournament, the University of Oregon beat Ohio State 46-33 to win the NCAA title. The gym was demolished in 1940 and rebuilt farther north of the original site. The Technological Institute now sits on the site of the original gym. Patten Gym circa 1940 is still in use today. It now houses intramural sports as well as the women's fencing team.

The "new" arena has a very cozy seating capacity of 8,117. It can get loud under the roof. The arena held its second men's final four tournament in 1956. The University of San Francisco led by future hall of famer Bill Russell captured it's second straight NCAA title. They defeated the University of Iowa 83-71.

Both the football stadium and arena work for Northwestern. They have that closeness that a lot of stadiums and arenas don't have anymore in college. Being in the Big 10, Northwestern gets to see its share of great collegiate talent. Not to mention the talented players the Wildcats have. There is nothing like sitting in the stands of the football stadium on a crisp cold fall afternoon. Americana at it's best.