Ben Gross

When I reflect on NIU, there’s plenty to be thankful for.

But if I had to limit it to one thing, I’m most thankful for the facilities NIU has received over the past year and a half.

The Yordon Center, the indoor hitting center and the new Soccer/Track and Field Complex are beautiful and very much needed. In this day of college sports, facilities are crucial to recruiting athletes and to improving them.

NIU still has a ways to go, needing an indoor practice facility, an upgraded press box at Huskie Stadium and locker rooms for sports like baseball and softball. But I’m thankful for what we’ve got so far.

Derrick Smith

I have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

But as far as NIU athletics goes, I am thankful for the new NIU Soccer/Track & Field Complex.

Despite the fact that it was under construction throughout soccer season, it serves as a comfortable place to watch a competitive soccer match.

Weather in DeKalb can get pretty ugly in the fall, and NIU soccer players no longer have to splash around in muddy grass. The new field is turf and the most they have to worry about is the little rubber beads in their shoes.

A new scoreboard has been erected and the track is coming along nicely. As thankful as I am, I only have one more request: a new press box.

Maybe next year.

Mike Buda

I am thankful for the youth and future of our sports programs.

Volleyball will be returning 10 of their 14 players next season, and they have a successor lined up for Meagan Schoenrock in freshman Allison McGlaughlin.

Men’s soccer almost pulled out a MAC Championship this season, and will only lose five starters.

Wrestling is the program with the brightest future. With 30 out of the 33 wrestlers either freshmen or sophomores, people are excited. The youngsters are winning right now. Who knows what they’ll do next?

Chris Dertz

As Turkey Day approaches, I find myself pondering what I’m truly thankful for.

It has to be redshirt freshman quarterback Chandler Harnish. Anyone who has led an offense to the cusp of a bowl bid after a 2-10 season has to be appreciated.

He threw for over 300 yards in his debut against a Minnesota team that is 7-5, and has rushed for over 100 yards twice and over 50 four times. He has scored 11 total touchdowns while seeing limited time, missing three games with an injury and having limited playing time in others.

Steve Nitz

After last year’s 2-10 season, most people didn’t expect the NIU football team to be in contention for a bowl game entering tonight’s contest against Navy.

Should the Huskies win tonight against the Midshipmen, they would put themselves at 7-5, and in good position to earn an at-large spot. Some possibilities are the New Mexico Bowl, the Texas Bowl and the Independence Bowl.

NIU has only been to three modern bowl games, so anytime the Huskies go bowling, it’s a treat.