DeKALB – One decade after finishing his storied playing career, former NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch will be inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame and the MAC Hall of Fame this year, the institutions announced Friday.
Once an All-American and Heisman Trophy Finalist, Lynch is the first player to be announced as a member of the 2024 NIU Athletics Hall of Fame Class.
“We are pleased to begin the announcements of this year’s NIU Athletics Hall of Fame class with Huskie football great Jordan Lynch,” said Hall of Fame committee chair Rodney Davis via NIU Athletics. “What Jordan accomplished during his time at NIU both individually and in elevating the entire football program puts him in elite company in the history of Huskie Athletics; he is more than deserving of this honor. Congratulations to Jordan.”
Lynch joins the six-member 2024 MAC Hall of Fame Class comprised of three student-athletes and three coaches. He is the sixth Huskie – and the second NIU student-athlete, along with former running back Michael Turner (2018) – to join the ranks of the MAC Hall of Fame.
“What a great honor of all the student-athletes that have come through NIU and the MAC to be named to these halls of fame,” Lynch said via NIU Athletics. “Thanks to NIU for nominating in me, believing in me. It feels great. I’m so appreciative and can’t wait to be with the rest of the classes to celebrate.”
During his two-season stint under center, Lynch led the Huskies to back-to-back MAC Championship Game appearances – winning the title game in 2012 – as well as NIU’s storied trip to the 2013 Orange Bowl.
He finished his college career with five NCAA records and 25 school records while going 24-4 as NIU’s starter, having never lost a game on the road (12-0) or in Huskie Stadium (11-0).
After finishing his college career, Lynch had a brief stint with the Chicago Bears after going unselected in the 2014 NFL Draft. He then enjoyed a two-year career with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League, helping Edmonton win the 2015 Grey Cup before hanging up the cleats on March 8, 2017. Lynch has served as the head football coach at his alma mater, Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, since 2018.
Lynch and his five cohorts in the 2024 MAC Hall of Fame Class will be formally inducted May 30 at the Marriott Key Tower in Cleveland, Ohio.
The other members of the 2024 NIU Athletics Hall of Fame Class will be announced individually over the next several weeks before the entire class is honored during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 18 to Oct. 19.
