When his brother Adam went to work at Northwestern in 2004, Matt Cushing promised his support. With one stipulation: He wouldn't wear purple.
That was a step too far for the former Illinois football tight end, who spent four years trying to beat the Wildcats in the 1990s.
But Matt Cushing will happily sport blue, the color favored by Adam's new school, Eastern Illinois.
"I can wear some Eastern stuff," Matt said. "I'll be happy to put on some Panther gear when I go to support the team."
Adam Cushing was introduced Monday as the next Eastern Illinois coach after a long, successful stint on Pat Fitzgerald's Northwestern staff.