As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. The following photographs, which span more than six decades, capture the spirit of words such as “pride,” “history,” and “camaraderie.” However, as is often the case, some are missing many others—specifically, the names of those they feature and the dates in which they were taken. This information has been added where possible and assumed where likely. As such, this online gallery has been arranged into approximate chronological order, although errors are nearly certain.
If you happen to know any of these missing dates or names, please do get in touch. Simply click on the image to get its reference number in the lower right part of the screen and send us a message. Many thanks to those who have already contributed images or information to this exhibit—our history is richer for it.
Photograph from the 1949 softball game featuring professors Willard Wirtz, Brunson MacChesney, James Rahl, and William Cary.
Photograph from the 1949 softball game featuring professors William Cary, Francis Allen, and William Roalfe.
Photograph from the May 7, 1951 softball game featuring faculty members Willard Pedrick, James Rahl, and William Roalfe.
Photograph from the May 1, 1953 softball game featuring Earl Pollock (’53), the editor of the Law Review.
Undated photograph featuring professor Nat Nathanson in the hat and former dean James Rahl with the notepad.
Undated photograph featuring former dean John Ritchie and professors Dawn Clark Netsch and James Thompson.
Undated photograph featuring professor Fred Inbau. (Warning #4 likely refers to professor James Thompson.)
Undated photograph featuring professor Fred Inbau. (Warning #4 likely refers to professor James Thompson.)
Photograph from the 1979 softball game featuring faculty members Ron Kennedy, Marshall Shapo, Peter Barack, Jon Waltz, Mayer Freed, Clinton Francis, and Stephen Presser, and staff member Pat Franklin.
Undated photograph featuring an aerial view of the softball field, which was right across the street from the Law School.
Undated photograph featuring professor John Elson at bat and former dean David Ruder behind the catcher.
Undated photograph featuring former dean James Rahl running for home, professor and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Walter Schaefer, and professor Daniel Schuyler.
Undated photograph (ca. 1982) featuring professors Ian MacNeil, John Donahue, Ken Abbott, Tom Geraghty, Clinton Francis, and former dean David Ruder.
Undated photograph (ca. 1982) featuring former dean David Ruder at bat, and professors Clinton Francis, Daniel Polsby, Stephen Yandle, and Stephen Presser waiting in line.
Photograph taken from the 1982 softball game featuring former dean David Ruder and professors Stephen Presser, Philip Postlewaite, and Ken Abbott.
Undated photograph featuring former dean David Ruder and professors Stephen Yandle, Philip Postlewaite, Tom Geraghty, Ken Abbott, Martin Redish, Clinton Francis, James Haddad, Mayer Freed, and Bob Burns.
Photograph from the 1986 softball game featuring José Cardenal, a retired baseball player whose career included a stint with the Chicago Cubs and, here, as a visiting professor with Northwestern Law.
Photograph from the 1986 softball game featuring professors Stephen Presser, Anthony D’Amato, Tom Geraghty, and Victor Goldberg.
Photograph from the 1986 softball game featuring professors Anthony D’Amato in the infield and Dennis Ferrazzano in the outfield.
Photograph from the 1987 softball game featuring “special visiting adjunct professor” Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso, a retired baseball player for teams such as the Chicago White Sox. Despite his assistance, the faculty lost that year.
Undated photograph featuring professor Daniel Polsby at bat and professor Stephen Yandle up next in line.
Photograph taken by Ellen Bentsen from the April 1990 softball game featuring former dean David Van Zandt at bat.
Photograph taken by Ellen Bentsen from the April 1990 softball game featuring professor Keith Hylton at bat.
Photograph taken by Ellen Bentsen from the April 1990 softball game featuring professor Ron Allen at bat.
Photograph taken by James Rea from the April 26, 1996 softball game featuring professors Ruben Castillo, Tom Merrill, Ray Solomon, David Van Zandt, and Tom Geraghty standing in the back row; and Anthony D’Amato, Len Rubinowitz, and Ellen Morgan crouching in the front row.
Photograph taken by Lisa Young (’95) from the May 1995 softball game featuring former dean David Van Zandt at bat.
Photograph taken by James Rea from the April 26, 1996 softball game featuring professors David Van Zandt, Ray Solomon, Tom Merrill, and Tom Geraghty standing in the back row; and Ellen Morgan, Anthony D’Amato, and Len Rubinowitz crouching in the front row.
Photograph by Jim Ziv from the October 15, 1999 softball game featuring faculty members John Elson, David Van Zandt, and Fred McChesney.
Photograph taken by Jim Ziv from the October 15, 1999 softball game featuring former dean David Van Zandt.
Photograph taken by Jim Ziv from the October 15, 1999 softball game featuring former dean David Van Zandt at bat.
Photograph taken by Jim Ziv from the October 15, 1999 softball game featuring faculty members John Elson, Fred McChesney, Jim Speta, David Van Zandt, and Robert Bennett.
Photograph from the May 2010 softball game featuring Robert Bennett, Daniel Gandert, and Peter DiCola.
Photograph from the May 2010 softball game featuring professors Len Rubinowitz, Karl Lutz, and Robert Bennett.
Photograph from the May 2010 softball game featuring professors Peter DiCola, Robert Bennett, and Karl Lutz.
Photograph from the May 2010 softball game featuring professors Len Rubinowitz, Daniel Gandert, Robert Bennett, and Karl Lutz.
Photograph from the May 2010 softball game featuring professors Len Rubinowitz, Daniel Gandert, Robert Bennett, and Karl Lutz.