We're #1
On Friday, the beloved Northwestern football team was in town to play USC. Going to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum to see a USC game is always a lousy experience. (Too many reasons to go into, but near the top is that their band plays the school's ponderous, pretentious Roman Marching Theme throughout the entire game, and Really Loudly which is pretty much their brand. Volumen super qualitas. Volume Over Quality.)
But that's not the point here.
What I learned after the fact is that I was there for history! Northwestern was defeated 38-17, and it was the school's 716th football loss – the most ever by any team in college football history!
Now, mind you, it is, of course, conceivable that they could have that record reversed as soon as this year if the team whose record they beat loses more games than NU the rest of the year. But that improbable, since that other team is Indiana, which has 715 loses, is currently ranked the #2 best team in the country…
I should note that this record does not come as a total shock. That's because Northwestern currently holds the FBS Division 1 record for "longest losing streak" of 34 consecutive loses, which occurred from 1979 to 1982.
And note, as well, that my dad -- who loved football, especially college football, and also taught in the Medical School at Northwestern -- has season tickets for Northwestern football for 51 years. Including during this 34 games losing streak. That's the definition of a true football fan.
Two of my favorite sports quotes from from the team's coach during that losing streak, Rick Venturi (who had played at Northwestern, and also in the pros). The first quote is --- "The only difference between me and Custer is that Custer didn't have to look at game films on Monday."
And the other quote came after the game when Northwestern finally won. They had had a solid lead during the game, and played very defensively at that point -- and little by little their opponents chipped away at the lead...and were driving for a game-winning touchdown when the clock ran out. And so, Northwestern won, breaking the losing streak. After the game, coach Venturi was asked if he thinks he used the right strategy at the end. His reply was: "You have to understand -- I never had a lead before."
In fairness, Northwestern football has been pretty respectable in more recent years. They are 5-4 this season. Their head coach was named Big Ten Coach of the Year two years ago. And they even went to the Rose Bowl in 1996. (And yes, I was there, with my Mom and Dad who flew out for it.)
But history is no small thing. And happily, it's what the present has built upon.
Break right through that line.
With our colors flying,
We will cheer you all the time.
U! Rah! Rah!
Go! U Northwestern!
Fight for victory.
Spread far the fame of our fair name.
Go! Northwestern Go!
Go! Northwestern Go!
Hit 'em hard! Hit 'em low!
Go, Northwestern Go!
Go! U Northwestern!
Break right through that line.
With our colors flying,
We will cheer you all the time.
U! Rah! Rah!
Go! U Northwestern!
Fight for victory.
Spread far the fame of our fair name.
Comments