Redevelopment of Norris University Center’s East Lawn to begin this summer
April 5, 2024
Watch the playlist to view our contest video and the 20 entries we received:
Contest Details
One hundred years ago, Theodore Van Etten, a senior in the School of Pharmacy, watched the Northwestern football team defeat Indiana. Infused with Purple Pride by the unexpected victory, Van Etten was inspired to write a song.
On Nov. 23, 1912, Northwestern’s fight song -- “Go U! Northwestern” -- premiered at a game against Illinois and has been sung by generations of fans ever since. When the Wildcats take on Illinois at Ryan Field Nov. 24, Northwestern will celebrate the song’s centennial.
To honor the song’s place in school history, we’re inviting students, student groups, alumni, faculty, staff and fans to submit their own video version of the song for “Go U 100: The Northwestern Fight Song Centennial Contest.”
Sing it, play it on an instrument, record a dramatic spoken-word performance--just be as creative as you can and show us your Purple Pride!
To enter, send a link to your video to socialmedia@northwestern.edu or post your entry as a response video on YouTube. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, Nov. 18. Please include name and contact information along with your submission.
Submissions will be judged by three members of the Northwestern athletics staff who know a thing or two about our fight song: director of athletic bands Dan Farris, WildPride spirit squad coordinator Pam Bonnevier and head football coach Pat Fitzgerald.
The winning entry will be played during the Illinois game on Ryan Field’s CatVision screen and featured on Northwestern and Northwestern Athletics social media and websites. The winners will also receive a Northwestern Athletics prize pack that includes an autographed Pat Fitzgerald replica Under Armour jersey and more.
A 100th anniversary version of the fight song also will be produced, incorporating all of the received entries.
Contest entries become the property of Northwestern University and may be used by the University for promotional purposes.
