There may be such a thing as having Huskie pride, and surely many students, past and present, can lay claim to this.

If there is such a thing as a Huskie lifestyle, none can truly measure up to the newest member of the NIU community.

During the NIU women’s soccer tourney, a new face was brought into the fold, and even though she was on the field, she wasn’t there to play soccer.

Stormy, a 3-year-old pure-bred Siberian Huskie, was in attendance for the tourney and was even on the field during team introductions.

“We’re hoping to make it a tradition,” laughed Carrie Barker, NIU women’s head soccer coach. “It all depends on if we can rent her.”

The dog belongs to Robin Slider, a Sycamore native, who is the cousin of a fellow new face to the team, freshman defense and midfielder Lauren Noonan.

“Everybody seemed excited when the dog was here,” Noonan said. “Everyone wanted to pet her.”

And as for the possibility of this leading to superstition?

“I’m not one for superstition,” Noonan said. “Maybe for other people, it could be a possibility.”

Stormy has been outfitted with a full NIU ensemble, including insignias on her leash, collar and bandana.

So far the dog has been at two games, going 0-1-1 as the newest mascot.

Slider has multiple connections to the school, as both of her sisters attended the college, as well as Noonan.

The idea to get the mascot came from one of the mothers from the soccer team, as she sent out an email inquiring about a Huskie available to come to the games.

All the NIU women’s soccer players give Stormy a pat on the head before going out for introductions and are then accompanied onto the field by her.

So next time you’re at the NIU soccer complex, don’t be surprised to see a familiar fuzzy face sitting in the middle of the field during the singing of the national anthem.

Just don’t expect her to lead any cheers.