It’s a shared fantasy of diehard Chicago Cubs fans everywhere: To take the mound at Wrigley Field and throw out the first pitch in front of 40,000 screaming fans.
The Northwestern Class Alliance offered 11 fortunate students a shot to live out this dream at Norris University Center bar night Wednesday.
Contestants rapped, belted out songs, donned homemade costumes and demonstrated their drinking skills in an attempt to prove they deserve to hurl the first pitch at the first annual NU Day at Wrigley Field on May 14.
Six judges from a variety of student groups chose the winner based on the cheers of the crowd. NCA officials estimated about 300 students attended throughout the event.
Avelino Cortez III chugged his way to victory, beer-bonging four cold ones in his allotted 30 seconds. He beat out the other contestants in the next round in a Barry Bonds heckling contest.
“This is one of the greatest feelings of my life,” said Cortez, an Education senior. “I’ve been a Cubs fan all my life. I can’t even describe how I’m going to feel when I throw the first pitch.”
Most contestants described themselves as the “biggest Cubs fan at Northwestern,” and each attempted to convince the crowd at Norris.
Weinberg senior Chris Knight dressed up in a Cubbie Bear costume and belted out “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in the first round.
“If I’m chosen to throw the first pitch I’d be willing to give up my right hand afterward,” Knight said. “It would never again serve a greater purpose.”
Contestant Marc Zarefsky has seen his share of Cubs games. The Medill freshman is a food vendor at Wrigley Field and made it into the final round after throwing peanuts into the audience.
“Every game I see someone throw out the first pitch and I always think, ‘Man, I wish that was me,'” he said.
Weinberg junior Burke Lesher, a.k.a. “The Busch Light Knight,” spent more than two hours crafting a helmet and suit out of empty Busch Light boxes and cans.
He said he hoped to vanquish villains of the Cubs like Steve Bartman and San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds.
NCA members chose the contestants from a pool of 65 e-mail responses based on creativity.
“Some of them said they cried when Bartman (deflected) the foul ball in the series last year. Some of them said they paint their faces for every Northwestern football game and won’t speak to anyone when we lose,” said Jim Schuchart, president of NCA. “In the end we picked the people that were the most original or the most diehard sports fans.”
Adam Moses, a Weinberg junior, wowed the crowd with his ability to remove his boxers while still wearing pants. He considers himself a hardcore fan.
“I’ve loved the Cubs for about as long as I’ve loved my family,” he said.
