Oct. 27--Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald says he is not a "bandwagon" fan of the Blackhawks, and he tries to apply some of the principles of success that have worked so well for his favorite NHL team.
"I am a big fan," Fitzgerald said Tuesday on the weekly Big Ten teleconference. "I am not a bandwagon guy. My first date (with now wife Stacy) back in high school was an exhibition game. We're sitting there in the stands and making sure we got there on time. A fight breaks out and she starts cheering and the guy behind me says: 'You better marry this young lady!'
"So I am not a bandwagon guy in terms of their recent success. But I think any athlete can take something based on what they've done. It's the level of consistency that you see, and their organization from top to bottom, from the ownership team- John McDonough and Jay Blunk- with the one-goal vision. And what Coach (Joel Quenneville) has done...and the unbelievable talent and leadership that starts with the captain."
Fitzgerald, whose Wildcats (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) are off this weekend and host Penn State on Nov. 7, continued to gush about the Blackhawks after being asked about learning from their recent dynasty.
"They have had a lot of turnover now because of free agency. But I think it starts and ends with Jonathan Toews," Fitzgerald said. "You read all the articles about his sport...very focused, very disciplined, a terrific leader. He backs that leadership up with great performance."
fmitchell@tribpub.com
Twitter@kicker34
