Local news arrives on campus to capture excitement of North Central College football's run to the Stagg Bowl

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The North Central College Cardinal football team is making headlines and top stories all over the Chicagoland area.

Crews from WMAQ-TV, Chicago's NBC affiliate, were on campus to cover the buzz surrounding the Cardinals' Friday, December 20 matchup with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Stagg Bowl XLVII, North Central's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III football national championship. Students and staff participated in interviews at Merner Field House to show their enthusiasm for the football program as the historic game approaches.

"It's great to be able to show what we've been doing and building around here," said quarterback Broc Rutter '20, who is a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy for the best player in Division III college football.

"This is about in the classroom and in life," North Central College President Troy Hammond said. "We help students exceed their personal best."

The football team will depart for Shenandoah, Texas, the site of the Stagg Bowl, on December 17, and plans are already underway for groups of fans to follow close behind, including on a College-sponsored student fan bus. The College is holding watch parties at Naperville establishments The Lantern and Empire Burgers & Brew so local fans can enjoy the game together.

You can watch the full NBC story above.