CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — As Monday night’s College Football National Championship Game pits the University of Michigan against the University of Washington, fans and alumni of both universities will be piling into local bars to cheer on their squad.
“Very excited to just be surrounded by fellow ‘Dog’ fans and to be watching the biggest game of the season together,” said Jack Kelly, the Chicago Alumni Relations Chair for the University of Washington.
He said that for about six to seven years, Wrigleyville’s Graystone Tavern has been home for Huskies fans, with crowds of about 80 to 100 gathering to watch games.
Kelly expects tonight's crowd will be massive.
“Been awhile since we've been in a championship, and it's very exciting to be in a high profile matchup, playing for the championship,” he said. “It's a very nice sneak preview to joining the Big 10, as we will be next season.”
As for which team will take home the title, Kelly predicted a 31-28 victory for the Huskies.
Of course, Michigan’s massive alumni base in Chicago will be showing out to root on their Wolverines. The UM Club of Chicago estimates that 25,000 Michigan alumni call the Chicago area home.
Over the weekend, WBBM caught up with Jan Schenk as she passed through Chicago’s Union Station after attending Michigan’s Rose Bowl win over Alabama with her husband.
“We’ve been to Chicago, to Northwestern … we’ve been to a number of places [as] 50-year season ticket holders,” she said. “This was a big deal. This was our first Rose Bowl, and that was really exciting.”
Schenk said they were excited about what’s next on Monday night, and they won’t be alone. The UM Club said watch parties will be taking place at Fatpour Tapworks in Wicker Park, the Old Plank, and Moe’s Cantina in River North, Matilda, and Black Barrel Live.
Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m.
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