2003 - The Good, the Bad, The Ugly

NU Wildcat fans had a whole bunch of ups and downs this year- Here are Coach Roy's Highlights and Lowlights of 2003...

All of the Wildcat Athletic teams went through a lot this year, but here are the things that stick out.

First: we lost two of our Football Alumni this year:

• Former Running back, Ron Burton
• Former QB, etc, Otto Graham

They accomplished much at NU, and went on to accomplish much, much more after their time playing Northwestern Football.

You can put the rest of the year in 3 categories:

The Good

• Basketball beats Indiana on Football Signing day.
• Jason Wright gets another 1,000 yard rushing
  
• Cristell Grier's play through the year, and then up through the quarter finals at the NCAA's.
• The excellent play of Basketball' Jitim Young
  
• While we're at it, how about Vedran Vukusic's comback from surgery, and Evan Seacat's filling the mad bomber role this year.
• Football goes 6-6 but still gets a Motor City Bowl Bid.
• Kunle Patrick ties the pass reception record
  
• Football's Homecoming Win over Wisconsin
• Football's running game against Illinois
• Football's Offensive Line, that clicked once a Frosh - Trevor Rees - took over in the middle. He was recognized by being named as a Freshman All American.
  
• Women's Volleyball makes it to the NCAA's again
• Softball wins the Big 10 tournament with two extra long games and despite the worse Iowa weather in years - qualifying for the NCAA Softball World Series tournament.
  
• The Play of Torri Stuckey, Louis Ayeni, Pat Durr, Colby Clark, Luis Castillo, Tim McGarigle gives Football some defense.
• Men's Soccer finds some top players, even a Frosh All-American - Gerardo Alvarez - and wins some games.
  
• Fencing sends 4 to the Junior Olympics.
• The rise of the Swimming Teams.
  
• NU Brings in a new AD, Mark Murphy who promptly brings stability back to NU Sports.
• The quality of our radio Play by Play on WGN - Dave, Ted, Shon [and even Kaplan at times] bring a professionalism you don't hear on some of the other team's stations.
  
• Chris Pool's recruiting coverage - also SjT's timely commentary on football, and Greg Kane, Michael Jackson, and all those who have contributed stories this year. Its given us good insight into our favorite teams. Thanks.

The Bad

• Vedran Vukusic wrecks his shoulder and can't play the 2002-2003 season [OK it happened in 2002 but its impact was in 2003]
• Softball gets knocked out of the NCAA tournament, having to play 2 games, almost without a break in 100+ degree heat.
• Football's loss to Bowling Green after leading most of the game.
• Big 10 Football Officials [too often again this year]
• The little game one of our Women's Tennis opponents played to get Cristelle Grier out of the NCAA Regional tournament. [They couldn't beat us any other way.]
• What happened to the Women's Cross Country team?
• The loss of Jeff Genyk, Howard Feggins and Jay Peterson to Eastern Michigan - Good for them, but a big hole to fill in recruiting.
• The attempt to blame Jay Peterson for hitting that Air Force QB who then threw a punch at one of our guys. Hot Heads don't make good officers.
• The music WGN uses to cover up the commercials on the internet broadcast.
  

The Ugly

• Football's loss to Miami of Ohio
• The play in the Motor City Bowl where Kunle Patrick tied the reception record.
• Basketball's eratic play - at times we look like the Cats of old - no D and can't make a shot.
• Some of the fan reaction to Torri Stuckey being suspended for the bowl game - if what I've heard happened actually happened, well -- some guys need to learn the facts before sounding off.
• Brett Basanez' 3 interceptions against Air Force.
• Some of Football's offensive play calling in the 4th quarter.
• Some of the off field shenanigans of various NU Players -- most were addressed quickly and judiciously.
• Dave Eanet -- "Mr Wildcat's" travel schedule last weekend - a Bowl Game, and two Basketball games in two cities about 1500 miles apart.
• The "WGN Song" - the internet listeners know what I'm talking about.
• And for Termy - the last 3 games the Cubbies played in 2003.
  

I'm sure you all can think of some more, but these stick out in my mind. Have a Happy New Year - expect to see you all back on Friday...

-- da Coach

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