The city of Chicago, America’s third-largest city, is home to Chicago State University and offers student-athletes many opportunities. Also known as the “Windy City”, it has a population of nearly three million people and has a metropolitan population of over eight million.
 
The city provides countless opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities. Bordered by Lake Michigan and its beach front, Chicago also has 29 miles of lakefront, including a 22-mile bike path. Chicago features 560 city parks along with a variety of museums and zoos. Lincoln Park Zoo is the world’s largest free public zoo. 

The Windy City is home to the Midwest Stock Exchange and such companies as Amoco Oil, Boeing, McDonald’s and United Airlines. This provides Chicago State student-athletes with a huge network of potential contacts and employers after graduation.
Along with the number of events throughout the city, there are 20 major events scheduled in Chicago by the Mayor’s office. Among these events are: the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Jazz Festival, and the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Buckingham fountain. 

Chicago State’s campus is located in a residential community on the south side of Chicago, approximately 12 miles from downtown. The 161-acre campus has contemporary buildings attractively placed in a carefully preserved woodland setting. The university is conveniently served by the Dan Ryan Expressway, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and several bus routes. 

Along with the Cougars, Chicago plays host to seven major professional sports franchises. The Bears of the National Football League, Bull of the National Basketball Association, Sky of the WNBA, Cubs and Whitesox of Major League Baseball, Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, and the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.