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Derrick Gragg, Northwestern AD, discusses continuation of Ryan Field renovation project
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Derrick Gragg is trying to guide Northwestern’s athletic department through some challenging times with a hazing scandal and multiple lawsuits rocking the university.
During the ongoing fallout, the topic of renovation plans for Ryan Field came up. Following the hazing scandal becoming public knowledge, a report surfaced that members of Northwestern’s faculty requested a pause on the renovation plans.
In that report, 6 faculty members requested university leaders to put the Ryan Field rebuild project on hold “until this crisis is satisfactorily resolved.” The project is an $800 million endeavor for the university.
According to Gragg, there are currently no plans to halt the rebuild. Speaking with ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Gragg said there is “a serious intent” to keep the Ryan Field rebuild project moving forward.
This didn’t make the interview but Derrick Gragg told me that the hazing situation hasn’t halted plans for the Ryan Field rebuild.
“We have a serious intent to make sure that that project moves forward,” Gragg said. “So does the [Ryan] family.” https://t.co/JlpDeaAsrF
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 26, 2023
It remains to be seen what a potential timeline for the rebuild will look like. But, at least for now, it sounds like the Wildcats plan on forging a path forward regardless of the circumstances.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.