I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to “all” the Northern Illinois Huskie faithfuls who sent out Senior Football players out with a well deserved bang. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t take me long to personally thank the crowd of some 5,000 on an individual basis that attended the game against the Akron Zips.

As for the rest of you, what’s the deal? Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day with an unheard of November afternoon temperature of a balmy 55 degrees. Yet there was only a row and a half of tail-gaters in the student section. I could understand this if it was a cold, rainy day, but this was not the case. As a matter of fact, there has not been a sunny day for a Saturday game in Coach Pettibone’s tenure. Reason enough to spend an enjoyable day at Huskie Stadium and show support for Senior Recognition Day, right? Wrong.

This lack of support from the student body of NIU is very contagious and more than likely will spill over to basketball season. I, for one, would not like to see this happen. There are a lot of exciting things going on in the men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as all Huskie athletics. I understand it takes a winner to draw the fans out, but it is also a proven fact that supportive fans in attendance make it an advantage to play at home (i.e. “the sixth man”).

It’s time for the students here at NIU to support all aspects of Huskie athletics. That’s right, supporting Huskie athletics might mean staying up here on weekends once in a while (God forbid!).

As far as the Seniors, and the other members of the NIU football team who put together an exciting season for those who attended the games, I would like to apologize for the lack of support you had this season because you deserved better. At the same time, I would like to thank all the students who do support Huskie athletics through thick and thin. Hats off to you.

It’s not too late to show your support and help build this school’s athletic program to its’ highest potential.

Kent Coffland

sports director

WKDI