Tim Chapman - Champion Underdog: The Improbable Success of the 1995 Northwestern Football Team

By Quarterback Steve Schnur

Cinderella season.

I cringed at that term 25 years ago, and still do today.

As the quarterback of one of the greatest program turnarounds in the history of college football, the term always seemed to lessen the achievement of what truly transpired nearly two-and-a-half decades ago in Evanston, Illinois. I personally know the blood, sweat, tears, and years of hard work that went into the Davids becoming the Goliaths.

In ChampioN Underdog, Tim Chapman vividly relives the 1995 season for the Northwestern University football program that captured the hearts and souls of everyone who enjoyed underdog success stories. To truly understand what led up to that season and the success of the program since that time, one needs to examine the events, the people, and the relentless pursuit of a goal that led up to the magic.

As a member of that team, I am honored by the essence that Tim Chapman has captured in his telling of the story of the 1995 Northwestern Wildcat football season and the people that willed this unthinkable accomplishment to happen.

Chapman takes a unique approach to telling the story of that championship season. He reveals not only the background and details of the buildup that occurred in 1992, but also allows readers to better understand the players and their personal stories.

When the new coach Gary Barnett arrived in Evanston, he had what most considered an insurmountable task in front of him: to bring Northwestern foot ball back to a level of respectability and competitiveness. Twenty consecutive losing seasons and forty-two years removed from being invited to a bowl game were representative of the odds that he faced.

However, respectability and competitiveness were not the goals Barnett would set for himself or his team. Barnett wanted to win championships. And to accomplish this high hope, Barnett needed two things: winners and culture change.

As Chapman vividly illustrates in his book, Barnett was a relentless recruiter that could find talent. Finding winners would be the least of his challenges. Northwestern had a long list of positives to sell to top student-athletes: a world-renowned academic institution, a chance to play against the best programs in college football, living in one of the worlds greatest cities, and success after football within an accomplished list of prominent alumni. Barnett and his assembled staff would out-work anyone to find players; that was going to be the easy part.

The challenge would be to change a culture of accepting losing results, a culture that was not just in the football team either. The culture was the university, the alumni, the city of Chicago, the Big Ten conference, and the entirety of college football. Barnett knew his challenge was changing expectations. He began with a simple phrase that has become symbolic and historical in North westerns proud history: Expect Victory. As Chapman recreates the early years of suffering in Barnetts tenure, he details how the seeds of change began to be planted. Barnett would refuse to alter his expectations for what this pro gram and team should achieve.

ChampioN Underdog highlights the grind of the hard work and underdog spirit that was a trademark of this team. In many ways, the book embodies the great American spirit of hard work and determination leading to success. The book is a testament to the power of the human mind, the lengths that people will go to when they fixate on a cause, and the sacrifices they will make to accomplish goals many never thought possible.

I am honored that Chapman is telling the story of the 1995 Big 10 Championship season for Northwestern. The story is one of hope, and the possibilities that can be realized when a plan is thoughtfully created and relentlessly pursued. I hope the story of my great teammates and coaches inspires you to know that you are only bound by the limits of your imagination and determination. Expect Victory!

Steve Schnur