5. DEMETRIUS JONES SAGA

For several weeks last fall, it appeared the luck of the Irish had smiled upon NIU’s football team.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, at least. Sophomore Demetrius Jones had opened the season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback before being replaced by prodigy Jimmy Clausen. It appeared for several weeks after Jones’ South Bend benching that he was on the verge of transferring to NIU. Those rumors were amplified when Jones was spotted at an NIU/Eastern Michigan game at the same time the Irish were playing in Michigan.

After weeks of NIU head coach Joe Novak denying Jones’ transfer and Jones not-so-convincingly doing the same, the quarterback instead transferred to Cincinnati.

4. BIG VENUES

NIU athletics became acquainted with some large venues this year.

The football team opened the season in September against Iowa at Soldier Field in Chicago, home of the Chicago Bears.

On April 16, the NIU baseball team faced off against Notre Dame on the White Sox’ field at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

The Huskie baseball team lost 5-4 to the Irish, but funds from the game went toward the Feb. 14 Student Scholarship Fund.

“The fan support was just great,” said NIU first baseman Dave Reynolds. “I had goosebumps going out there on the field; it was great support.”

3. ENGLISH

In a dark season for the NIU football team, there was one bright spot.

Defensive end Larry English was named MAC Most Valuable Player, despite playing for a team that went 2-10 and finished last in the MAC West. English led the league in sacks and, after next season, he may become the next Huskie to experience success at the professional level.

English adds to his list of accomplishments by being named the Northern Star’s top athlete for 2007-08.

2. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FUN TIME

In late February, rumors began to circulate that NIU Athletics Director Jim Phillips was on his way out.

Shortly thereafter, rumor became reality.

Phillips officially left to assume the same position at Northwestern on Feb. 28.

Phillips became NIU’s athletic director in August 2004. The Huskies reached two bowl games during Phillips’ tenure.

Replacing Phillips is Jeff Compher, who served as executive associate athletics director at the University of Washington from 2004-2008. He was also director of athletics at Western Carolina University from 2000-2004 and has worked at Vanderbilt University and North Carolina State.

“The foundation of success laid here by Jim Phillips is impressive and I think we can take it to the next level,” Compher said. “I put a lot of faith in [NIU President John] Peters and this place is beyond what I expected.”

1. KILL REPLACES NOVAK

On Nov. 26, Joe Novak’s 12-year tenure as NIU head coach came to an end when Novak announced his retirement.

Novak leaves a legacy of taking NIU from cellar-dweller, to respectability, to nationally recognized MAC power. Under Novak, the Huskies broke their 22-game losing streak in 1998, then reeled off seven consecutive winning seasons from 2000 to 2006. In 2003, NIU defeated BCS teams Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State, reaching as high as No. 10 in The Associated Press poll.

Southern Illinois University head coach Jerry Kill was named NIU’s new head coach on Dec. 13.

“We’re looking forward to every game,” Kill said. “We’re gonna play whoever they put in front of us and prepare.”