The Mid-American Conference announced Friday that former NIU tailback Michael Turner will be inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame as part of its 2018 Class.

Turner played for the Huskies from 2000 to 2003, is the first NIU athlete to be inducted. Turner joins the likes former coaches Joe Novak and Bill Mallory.

“I was floored [to get the news] from [Rod] Carey,” Turner said. “This Hall of Fame is next level. Each school loves their own, but to be honored by the whole conference lets you know they appreciated the work you put in on and off the field, and they respect your game enough to consider you a Hall of Famer.”

Turner, along with the rest of the 2018 MAC Hall of Fame class, will be inducted May 30 during the MAC Honors Dinner at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.

The football team begins its 2018 season Sept. 1 with a game against a Big-10 opponent in the University of Iowa in Iowa City.