Forever a Wildcat: Chase Audige's Journey From Northwestern to the Go-Go

The annual NCAA basketball tournament is where legends are made, statues are cemented, and names are forever etched into school record books. For blue chip programs, their preseason hopes lie in the pursuit of championships. The first ever NCAA championship was held at Northwestern University in 1939, and the Wildcats have hoped ever since for their chance to reach basketball immortality. The team made their first appearance in the tournament in 2017 and made it back to the round of 32 this past year behind the defensive prowess of now-Capital City Go-Go guard Chase Audige. 

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Audige is the youngest of seven children. In an interview earlier this year with The Big Ten, Audige recalled battling for time on the court with his older brothers and sisters. “I used to be the one that was never on the court,” he laughed. “The only time I got on the court was between games when they were picking the next five. That’s where my defense came from. Nobody was passing me the ball, so the only thing I had to do was play defense, get steals, grab rebounds, and be the hardest working guy on the court.”  

That tenacity is what ultimately led Audige to his breakout redshirt senior year at Northwestern, in which he was named a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and earned Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big Ten Second Team honors. “I am an arrogant defender,” Audige told the Big Ten Network. “I want you to feel me every time you come down the court. I want you to go to the bench, not wanting to come back into the game.” 

In Audige’s redshirt senior season, the Wildcats finished with a 21-10 record – good for 2nd in the conference, making it their highest finish since 1958-59. They received an at-large bid to the Big Dance as a 7 seed, taking down Boise State in the first round before falling to UCLA in the second round.  

After the season, Audige decided to forgo the remainder of his college eligibility and begin his pro career, declaring for the NBA Draft. Through his NBA journey thus far, Northwestern faithful have followed him and cheered from the stands. 

Audige and the Capital City Go-Go faced the Maine Celtics on Sunday, December 3 – a game in which the Northwestern University Club of D.C. came to support Audige’s career and reminisce upon all he’s contributed to the school.  

Audige finished with a season-high 10 points – knocking down two 3’s, dishing out three assists, and of course, taking away three steals, giving Northwestern fans flashbacks of his Big Ten DPOY season. If they weren’t recognizable by their cheers after each big play by Audige, you could spot them in the stands, rocking plenty of purple Northwestern gear.  

After the game, Audige was met by more than 30 Northwestern University Club of D.C. members and their families for a courtside meet & greet. “Thank you for all that you’ve done for Northwestern,” said one alumna when speaking with Audige.  

Another Northwestern alumnus brought his two sons, both sporting Audige’s Northwestern jersey, and shared with the Go-Go guard that his kids became fans during the team’s run last year to the NCAA tournament. Audige’s Wildcat team was the first in school history to defeat a number-one ranked opponent when they upset Purdue University during a home game this past February 12 – a feat that was repeated last week on December 1, when the Wildcats defeated the Boilermakers in a 88-92 overtime thriller. “I was jumping up and down at the television the entire time,” Audige laughed when asked if he watched the game. 

After all of the selfies, autographs, and even meeting Northwestern alumnus Kevin Blackistone, Auidge said the experience was one that he is truly grateful for and honored to have. “It means a lot that you’re all here, and the way you’ve supported me throughout my career,” Audige told the crowd. Attendees invited him to join the school email list, as he’d be welcome to attend events anywhere that his fellow Wildcats are.