[NU Sports] 4-0 start this year

[NEONRye at aol.com]

Got to see and hear Fitz, our new AD ("Dr." Jim Phillips) and our amazing  
Kelly Amonte Hiller last night at annual Sports Night hosted by NU Club of  NY.  
Fitz and Phillips were both impressive and confident.  I didn't  know whether 
(and how) we could replace the redoubtable Mark Murphy, but  Phillips struck 
me (and others) as thoughtful, energetic and focused on building  the program 
the right way.  He "gets it" when it comes to fact that NU has  done a lousy 
job of marketing, and even conceded (in response to a question from  me) that 
the University (and he) may need to look for "outside help" in this  area.  The 
question followed up on a comment he made about wanting NU to  become "the 
team" for the Chicagoland area.
 
Fitz is excited about the experience that is returning on both sides of the  
ball, and about his new Coordinators--especially Hankwitz.  If we can get  off 
and running in the NC schedule, .... I am actually optimistic that if we  
avoid key injuries, this is a team that can really make its mark.  Fitz now  
seems comfortable in the role of HC.  He was gracious, witty, confident and  yet 
humble all at the same time.  He seems to combine GB's charisma  (although with 
less wattage) and RW's grind it out work ethic.  I really  loved his 
explanation of why we are going back to the "No Huddle" (primarily  'cause of the 
running clock this year in College FB).  
 
And what can I say about KAH that hasn't already been said or written--our  
Womens' Lax team is the absolute zenith of what NU sports ever was or ever will 
 be.  Champions on and off the field--4 years running.
 
Wish all of you could have been there.  Kudos to Sandy Sacks (the  
"Godfather" of the Northwestern community in NY) and Chris Combe (University  Trustee 
and great friend to the athletic program) and others for a terrific  evening.
 
Paul Levinson



**************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for 
FanHouse Fantasy Football today.      
(http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)