Welcome Wildcats,

In the fall of 2018, Northwestern Athletics will forever change with the dedication of one of the most spectacular competition venues in the country. The new Welsh-Ryan Arena will provide our student-athletes with a truly world-class experience while offering our loyal supporters a state-of-the-art arena to call home.

Over the past year we worked diligently to construct the best possible seating program for the new arena. Through fan surveys and focus groups, we communicated directly with hundreds of Wildcats, ensuring your voices were heard in every step of the process. The result is a program that reflects your insights and Northwestern’s values. In the end, three primary objectives became clear:

1. Reward our longtime season ticket holders who have been the base of our program. You’ve stood with us in the past and we look forward to standing with you in the future.
2. Continue to establish an intimate home court advantage. Our student-athletes are inspired by a loud, passionate and purple crowd.
3. Recognize and reward supporters of the Wildcat Excellence Fund. This vital area of our department helps five core needs: Academic Services, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Summer School and Sports Performance. Each of these areas is key not only to the success of our men’s basketball program, but to all of our nearly 500 student-athletes.

We are thrilled about the new Welsh-Ryan Arena and the opportunities it provides for our dedicated fans. We know you may have questions about how these changes directly impact you and we encourage you to visit with your personal account executive.

There is a better destination ahead for Northwestern athletics and the new Welsh-Ryan Arena is a transformational step in our journey.

Go ‘Cats!

Jim Phillips
Vice President for Athletics and Recreation