Northwestern, Phillips agree on new deal

Published Aug. 3, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Northwestern and athletic director Jim Phillips have agreed on a new 10-year contract that runs through 2020.

The school announced the deal on Wednesday.

Phillips was hired in April 2008 and has worked to raise awareness of the school by launching the ''Chicago's Big Ten Team'' advertising campaign and moving a home football game against Illinois to Wrigley Field last year. The result was a bowl-like atmosphere around the historic ballpark, although both offenses were required to move the ball in the same direction because of a safety issue. Northwestern also is looking into a major upgrade of its athletic facilities.

Phillips said in a statement that he is ''incredibly humbled and deeply appreciative.''

In May, Northwestern gave football coach Pat Fitzgerald a new contract through the 2020 season.