[NU Sports] Only One End Zone to be used at Wrigley

[Beamsley, Jeff]

I think this is a wise choice.  Kids should not be put at risk just
because everyone is used to playing football a particular way.  We are
already dealing with both teams being on the same sideline which
introduces a whole set of complications around territory,
communications, and substitutions.  This is just another interesting
quirk.

It does disadvantage the fans who are closer to the east end zone, but
only if you assume that fans just want to see their team score.  If you
are a fan who likes to see punt and kick returns, it's a bonus. 

The forecast is for NE winds 10-20 which means that each offense will
have the wind at their back and each kickoff/punt will be into the wind.
This will bias the game to the benefit of the offense, but not to the
benefit of either team.

Baseball deals with these sorts of things all the time.  Old ball parks
are notorious for seats with obstructed views and all sorts of "local"
rules.  One of my favorites at Wrigley is the rule covering baseballs
"lost" in the ivy.

The best part of this is the reminder that at the end of the day, it's a
game.  It's not supposed to be perfect.  It's only supposed to be fun.

Jeff





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From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of Jonathan Hodges
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 11:35 AM
To: NU Sports Listserv
Subject: [NU Sports] Only One End Zone to be used at Wrigley

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=5824661

Big Ten Press Release:

* All offensive plays will head toward the west end zone, including all
extra points and all overtime possessions.
* All kickoffs will be kicked toward the east end zone.
* After every change of possession, the ball will be repositioned for
the
offense to head toward the west end zone.
* As a result of a coin toss held by the conference office Friday
morning,
Illinois will occupy the west team bench in the first half and
Northwestern
will occupy the west team bench in the second half and for all overtime
periods.

"The health and safety of our student-athletes is of the utmost
importance,"
Big Ten commissioner James E. Delany said in the statement. "Both
Illinois
and Northwestern did significant due diligence over the past 18 months,
but
after seeing the actual layout of the field, all parties felt that it
was
appropriate to adjust the rules to further enhance the safety of our
student-athletes. Wrigley Field is one of the most historic venues in
the
country, and playing the Illinois-Northwestern game at this facility
will
provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for student-athletes, coaches
and
fans."

--

It sounds like Illinois was the one that called for the change - their
practice on the field was slated for today (NU practiced there
yesterday).
The Illinois SID was the one that broke the news on Chicago sports radio
this morning.

Jonathan
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