Let’s go all the way back to 2017.
Northwestern was in the men’s NCAA tournament, and on the Wildcats’ way to losing to Gonzaga in the second round, a young man was caught on camera being VERY upset at a call. He was nicknamed Crying Northewestern Kid and the memes are still around today.
Fast-forward to 2023. Northwestern is back. And so is the kid. But he’s not so young anymore!
First off, the kid was John Phillips, 12 years old at the time. His dad, Jim Phillips, was the Northwestern athletic director at the time. Now Jim is the ACC commissioner … and John was there at the First Four on Tuesday!
Hold up, is this him?! I think it’s him!!
(His dad moved from the Northwestern AD position and is now ACC Commissioner) https://t.co/RyVfOquoFA pic.twitter.com/W5lsBUhZ3o
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 15, 2023
Remember the Northwestern crying kid? This is him now.
Feel old yet?
John Phillips (aka Northwestern kid) is now a freshman in college. His father, Jim Phillips, is the ACC commissioner and former Northwestern AD. pic.twitter.com/nT5iOj9zVZ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 15, 2023
