NIU has a number of traditions  — some older, some relatively new.

The way these traditions continue is through the support of the students.

On most college campuses, their fight song is a main tradition. Here at NIU, the fight song is known throughout campus complete with words and visuals.

Junior education major Lori Lewandowski said she believes the fight song is important for students to know.

“I believe knowing the fight song is important for students, because it is a tradition that connects the students to the university as a whole,” Lewandowski said.

Another important tradition is game day for football. On game day students throughout campus wear the school colors and head out for tailgating and the game.

Sophomore theater major Casey Grogg said she believes game day wouldn’t be complete without a pregame parade from the Huskie Marching Band.

“A game day tradition for me is the pregame parade through the tailgate,” Grogg said. “It gets the crowd excited for the game.”

NIU Football Head Coach Jerry Kill has said that he would like to march the Huskies through the tailgating area on game days.

Latasha Bennett, Administrative Vice President of Huskie Traditions for Campus Activities Board (CAB) and junior family and child studies major, said CAB hosts many NIU traditions.

“Homecoming is a long standing tradition at NIU including ‘Yell like Hell,’ the Recycled Boat Race and the homecoming parade,” Bennett said.

Bennett said “Yell like Hell” is an event students can get involved in as a group.

“‘Yell like Hell’ is a combination of yelling and dancing that student groups take part in as part of homecoming week,” she said. “Normally fraternities and sororities take part, but you don’t necessarily have to be in a fraternity or sorority to make a team for it.”

Bennett said she also believes siblings weekend is a tradition.

“Siblings weekend, which takes place in the spring, is a weekend when students’ siblings can come visit NIU and take part in activities,” she said.

Whether new or old, these traditions, along with others, represent the university and unite the school.