Former NIU basketball player Rodney Davis returned from his tryout with the Minnesota Timberwolves (July 20-23) with little more than some added experience.

The ex-Huskie guard, who tried out for the Chicago Bulls last year, failed to make the NBA expansion squad. NIU’s No. 9 all-time scorer, he had previously been drafted by the Chicago Express (fifth round) of the World Basketball League and the Quad City Thunder of the Continental Basketball Association (sixth round) in 1988.

The luck was the same for the former Huskie gridders hoping to latch on with the pros. None of the 1989 graduates received a tryout from an NFL team. Quarterback Marshall Taylor, halfback Rodney Taylor and linebackers Mike Manson and Mike Higgins were among those hoping to get a shot at the NFL.

Several NIU soccer players have been working overtime for the 1990 season. Willy Roy Jr., Karsten Roy, Marcus Roy and Frank Sparacino recently played for the Schwaben Center team (Buffalo Grove) in a Chicago area amateur league. That squad took second in the 10-team league, losing only to the amateur national champions.

Coach Willy Roy said the extra work should be helpful to the players because they play against older men in the league. Roy believes that should help the players be more aggressive and physical in the upcoming college campaign.