EVANSTON, Ill. -- With 30 days still remaining before its 2013 season-opener, Northwestern Athletics announced on Thursday (Aug. 1) that it has surpassed the school's modern-era record for largest football season ticket sales base. Northwestern's previous season ticket sales mark was set during the 1997 campaign that came on the heels of back-to-back Big Ten championship seasons in 1995 and 1996.

The number of season tickets sold for the upcoming season is on pace to double Northwestern's 2009 paid season ticket base, a surge coinciding with the department's 2010 implementation of a wide-ranging marketing campaign -- centered on the tagline "Chicago's Big Ten Team" -- aimed at increasing Chicagoland fan awareness and market share.

"Achieving an all-time season ticket sales record for Northwestern Football was a goal that was set for this department, and it's a credit to the leadership of the University as well as our outstanding staff that we have met that standard," said Northwestern Assistant A.D. for Marketing Ryan Chenault. "At the same time, we know that our work is far from finished and that there is a better end destination ahead for Northwestern Athletics. We encourage all fans of college athletics to experience Northwestern Football in person this fall and be part of a family-friendly gameday atmosphere at Ryan Field."

The Wildcats are set to play seven games in their home stadium this season, beginning Saturday, Sept. 7 vs. Syracuse (5 p.m. CT). Northwestern also hosts nonconference foes Western Michigan (Sept. 14) and Maine (Sept. 21) before kicking off Big Ten play under the lights vs. Ohio State on Oct. 5. The 'Cats' also will stage home conference tilts against Michigan (Nov. 16) and Michigan State (Nov. 23).

Limited amounts of season tickets remain available and may be purchased by calling the Northwestern Ticket Office at 888-GO-PURPLE or by visiting the NUsports.com online ticket office.

Entering its eighth season under the direction of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern this year returns 15 starters from a 2012 team that finished 10-3 and defeated Mississippi State in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl. The Wildcats earned a No. 22 ranking in the USA Today/Coaches preseason poll and open the season on Saturday, Aug. 31, at California (9:30 p.m. CT).