For many people across the country–and the world, for that matter–September 11 is a day of solemnity due to the end of a safety once known, remembrance of those lost, and gratitude for the individuals that risked their lives to help others.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the devastating Tuesday in 2001 on which four coordinated terrorist attacks took place, destroying the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City as well as hitting the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. The fourth hijacked flight, identified as United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania, though it was intended to target a major landmark in Washington D.C. (for more information, education, and commemorations of the event, visit 911memorial.com).
Although not much can be done to resolve the events of that day, the Northwestern Wildcats are doing their part in paying tribute to the lives lost and changed on September 11, 2001 by honoring heroes this Saturday prior to their contest against the Indiana State Sycamores.
“It’s a special week coming up here in Evanston, I think not only for us recognizing our heroes, but more importantly, throughout our country,” Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “It’s unbelievable, but the 20-year, tragic anniversary of 9/11, and playing on that day, we visited with our guys about that this week.”
Fitzgerald recalls the exact moment of when he was informed of the attacks back in 2001, when he served as a defensive backs coach for the Wildcats under former head coach Randy Walker. You can watch Fitzgerald recall this moment in the video at the top of this page.
“It takes me back to that day, as an assistant, when we were back at the Nicolet Football Center,” he said. “What I remember is being in a staff meeting, and our great assistant, Carolyn Fleming, interrupted our meeting, came in and said, ‘There was an accident, a plane accidentally crashed into the Towers.’ And so we adjourned that meeting, or Coach…