There once was a college athlete who, when asked how he was spending his time in the off-season, rolled his eyes and said, “We have no off-season.”

True and to the point. For example, the members of the NIU football team have not one, but two off-season conditioning periods—one after the season and one after spring practice.

The Huskies are currently in the summer phase of their off-season workouts, rounding into shape for the start of two-a-day practices Aug. 18. The Huskies will tee up the 1987 season Saturday, Sept. 12, at home against Lamar. From what head Coach Jerry Pettibone says, the players wil be ready.

“We sent them a workout program in the mail—those that are off-campus for the summer—around the first part of June, and they’ve been working on their own, running and lifting,” Pettibone said. “We’ve got a little response card they send to the strength coach every two weeks so we can keep tabs on what they’ve accomplished.”

The football team’s weight room is available to players living in the DeKalb area during the summer months. According to Pettibone, several Huskies are taking advantage of the facility.

“We’ve got about 40 or 45 guys here in DeKalb, either in summer school or working. That’s the largest number we’ve ever had since I’ve been here,” Pettibone said. “They come in during the evening and lift, and they’re out running in the stadium on their own.”

Among the Huskies spending their summer in DeKalb are 1986 starting quarterback Marshall Taylor, fullback Antonio Davis and running back Drake Shead.

Now that July has given way to August, the timetable for Huskie football is starting to roll. Freshmen will report to DeKalb Aug. 14, with the returning players following them in on the 18th.

Two-a-day practices will be held from the outset, but the players will condition without pads until Aug. 24. The double-sessions will continue through the 30th, just before Aug. 31, the first day of the fall semester.

uskie practices will go back to single sessions once classes start, following basically the same schedule as a year ago, according to Pettibone. The team will work on Monday nights and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

One positive note for NIU will be the six home games on the 1987 schedule. Part of the mystical home-field advantage is the extra day of practice on Friday, which would otherwise be a travel day. Last year’s 2-9 squad played seven of 11 on the road.

“We’re coming off the best spring we’ve ever had,” Pettibone said. “Everyone is excited about getting started, and they’ve been working hard up ‘til now.”