We put Northwestern's new $870 million Ryan Field to the test

Northwestern spent $870 million building a football stadium with luxury amenities, gourmet food, spectacular views and a design intended to keep the noise inside. But does it all live up to the hype? The big picture: We headed to Evanston Saturday night for the Wildcats' game against Iowa to put the new Ryan Field through a stress test. The verdict: Pretty tremendous. The stadium is a winner, even without a luxury ticket. But the high-tech concessions and neighborhood noise controls still have some kinks to work out. What they're saying: Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, compares opening the stadium to watching a dog learn to swim — lots of splashing before finding its rhythm. "We're not at cruising speed yet, but we're not splashing around as much," Ryan says. The view from the endzone while the Wildcats warm up before the game. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios 🏈 The view Northwestern has gone to great lengths to ensure fans sitting in the upper deck have an experience comparable to those in the luxurious "Living Room" section at the 50-yard line. Zoom in: Entering Ryan Field was a fairly standard experience, but once inside, you're immediately greeted with a view

Can Springfield get to the end zone?

Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. The election is over. The politics, not so much. TOP TALKER BEARS BEAT : The Chicago Bears are heading back to the negotiating table in Springfield, and lawmakers say they want to get a stadium deal done before the end of the year — even as the battle to replace House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch begins to take shape. Agenda item: The Bears legislation is expected to be a major focus when lawmakers return to Springfield for veto session next week. The challenge will be finding a compromise that keeps the team in Illinois without putting taxpayers on the hook, while navigating competing interests between Chicago and the suburbs. State Sen. Bill Cunningham , the Democrat who has been central to the stadium negotiations, said discussions during the legislative break have increasingly centered on a stadium-authority model that would allow a municipality to build a privately financed, publicly owned stadium. “There seems to be a settling on this , trying to move forward with the stadium authority model,” Cunningham said during a legislative briefing with your Playbook host, and presented by Lincoln Forum and the Union League Club of Chicago State and Local Government Subcommittee. Some

16-inch softball Hall of Fame celebrates 30 years

Every year, about 2,000 visitors come to see the 16-inch softball Hall of Fame museum in Forest Park. Many journey to the Hall of Fame at 7501 W. Harrison St. during the annual No Gloves National tournament in the summer or the Hall of Fame gala recognizing new inductees into the museum every fall. This year was no different, as hundreds of people attended the awards dinner celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Hall of Fame in October.

Braeden Jackson Returns 96-yard TD, extending Iowa's Lead Over Northwestern

Duke's Big Man Advantage Is Here, And No. 5 Michigan State Isn't Ready For What's Coming

Ncaab on gradient background - Created by the Sports On Tap desk | Source : Sports On Tap (team logos property of their respective owners) Number two Duke rolls into Chicago to face number five Michigan State in what’s shaping up to be one of the absolute must-watch nonconference matchups of the entire 2026-27 college […]

Investigation finds evidence of racist, homophobic slurs at Illinois rivalry football game

The allegations of homophobic and racial slurs during a rivalry football game between New Trier (Winnetka, IL) and Evanston Township (IL) on Oct. 16 at Northwestern's brand-new $862 million stadium have been supported by evidence. New Trier Superintendent Dr. Peter W. Tragos said in a statement on Monday, Nov. 9 , that a joint investigation between the two schools found evidence supporting the alleged hateful slurs New Trier students directed at Evanston band members. "Since the game, we have conducted more than 40 interviews with students and staff," Tragos said in the statement. "We have also followed up on reports submitted through TrevTips and email, reviewed available videos, photographs, and social media material, and conducted additional interviews as new information emerged. This work has continued in collaboration with Evanston Township High School. "I want to make clear that the investigation supports accounts of hateful language and actions directed toward the Evanston marching band from individuals in the New Trier student section. We take these accounts seriously and recognize the hurt this incident has caused." Evanston Director of Communications Reine Hanna confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Evanston worked with New Trier to investigate the claims. "We have been working closely

Kentucky vs. Kansas Basketball preview: The Tyran Stokes matchup, game info, and predictions

Kentucky Basketball has the game Big Blue Nation has been looking forward to all offseason. The Wildcats head to Chicago to face the Kansas Jayhawks Tuesday in the Champions Classic. With two early-season tune-ups out of the way, Mark Pope and his squad will face their first true test of...

Iowa football to gift Northwestern game ball to Jack Campbell

Following No. 15 Iowa 's (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) 24-10 road win over Northwestern (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) at the new Ryan Field on Saturday, head coach Kirk Ferentz said former Hawkeyes and current Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell would be getting a game ball. Campbell was carted off the field with a neck injury in the Lions ' Week 8 win over the Vikings after making a tackle against another former Hawkeye and current Minnesota tight end, T.J. Hockenson, on Nov. 1. The Hawkeye great has been on Iowa fans' hearts and minds since. "All the feedback has been really positive," Ferentz said in his postgame media availability. "Hearing some encouraging news, it's going to be an – I don't know how long road – but it's moving in the right direction. Thought that was really fitting certainly to give him a ball and we'll get that to him." Kirk Ferentz said Jack Campbell will be getting a game ball from the #Hawkeyes win over Northwestern. Class. pic.twitter.com/c2RbTAfSnM — Joel Kellar (@KellarJoel) November 8, 2026 Campbell has been hospitalized with his neck injury, but released a statement last week saying that he has "full movement" in his lower body

Arizona Fall League Update: November 3-8, 2026

The Arizona Fall League is underway, and Chicago has seven prospects in the Grand Canyon State. The crew includes Mathias LaCombe, RHP (No. 17); Colby Shelton, INF (No. 23); Nick Altermatt, RHP; Jonathan Clark, RHP; Grant Magill, C; Tommy Vail, LHP and Garrett Wright, RHP. The team added Vail after...

Jayce Prohaska, Mother McAuley rally to win supersectional, advance to state

With a berth in the state semifinals at stake, Mother McAuley senior outside hitter Jayce Prohaska left no doubt. Swinging away from the back row, she’d seen Downers Grove North make some impressive digs on her two previous hits. Game on the line, though, she wanted it. She was...

Chicago State Men's Basketball Ready for Home Opener Against South Carolina State Monday

CHICAGO – The Chicago State men's basketball team looks to carry momentum from last week as the Cougars host the 2-0 South Carolina State Bulldogs in their home opener Monday (November 9). LAST TIME OUT. Chicago State is coming off a 66-54 victory against Incarnate Word on November 5....

Bulldogs Beat Cougars 82-67 as Treadwell Scores 22

The South Carolina State Bulldogs beat the Chicago State Cougars 82-67 at Jones Convocation Center. The post Bulldogs Beat Cougars 82-67 as Treadwell Scores 22 appeared first on Ball Exclusives .

Cal's Angels: Granting wishes for pediatric cancer patients

A Difference Maker

Northwestern Volleyball Takes Set Three but Falls to No. 12 Oregon

Northwestern’s volleyball team took a set from No. 12 Oregon but fell 3-1 in Eugene. Bella Bullington led the match with 20 kills, while Ellie Stiernagle moved into seventh place among Northwestern first-years in career assists. Oregon won 25-20, 26-24, 18-25, 25-11. Bella Bullington: 20 kills on .326 hitting,...

IL lawmakers look to fall session for stadium framework aimed at keeping Chicago Bears in state

Illinois lawmakers returning to Springfield for the fall veto session next week are expected to take up a range of issues, including efforts to reach a deal that could help keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

ETHS chess: Kits tie for first at Highland Park Tournament

After trading wins in October at their respective home tournaments, Evanston Township High School and Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, both played at the Nov. 7 Highland Park chess tournament but did not face one another. Instead, each team won all four of its matches against other teams to finish ahead of the other 22 teams. Stevenson took first place on tiebreaks because of its larger winning margins, and ETHS was awarded the team plaque for second place.

No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats and the No. 17 Kansas Jayhawks meet

Kansas Jayhawks (2-0) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) BOTTOM LINE: No. 23 Kentucky plays No. 17 Kansas in Chicago, Illinois. Kentucky finished 22-14 overall with a 10-5 record against non-conference opponents in the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats allowed opponents to score 74.3 points per game and shoot 42.6% from the field last season.

Mike Clark’s football Top 10

With records in parentheses and last week’s rankings. Sam Holcomb threw for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Crusaders coasted past Batavia 49-6 in the Class 7A second round. 2. Mount Carmel (9-2) 2. Brady Cloherty passed for six touchdowns to six different receivers in the...

Reavis’ Santiago Chavez makes history, wins cross country state title

After a mile through the Class 3A state championship race, Reavis senior cross country star Santiago Chavez realized things were not going according to plan. “I was supposed to lead the pack at 1.2 miles,” Chavez said. “At 1.8, I was making my move but they (other competitors) covered it pretty well.

Water bottle strikes high school soccer official after upset win, sparking IHSA probe

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3, that it is investigating "disturbing actions" directed toward an official on Friday, Oct. 30. The incident followed an IHSA Boys Soccer State Series contest at Glenbard South High School (Glen Ellyn, IL). According to the Daily Herald, official Hanah...