DeKALB | For the first time in the current millennium, the NIU football team is predicted to finish fifth in the MAC West.

The MAC News Media Association announced its prediction on Wednesday July 25 in Detroit Michigan. The association favored Western Michigan to win the west with Ohio coming out of the east to play in the MAC Championship.

Since 2000, the Huskies have been ranked third or higher in the preseason poll six times. The only time NIU was not ranked in the top three, in this time period prior to the 2007 prediction, was in 2002 when the Huskies were tabbed to finish fourth.

NIU did receive one first place vote, but only totaled 90 points, 85 short of the 175 that WMU gathered.

A new view

It only took a year and two months to make a vision into a reality. And for the first time in his tenure at NIU, football head coach Joe Novak will have a window in his office, as the Yordon Center has officially opened.

“We have been counting down the days to moving into the Yordon Center,” NIU Athletic Director Jim Phillips said. “When I saw the completed project, my jaw dropped open.”

The finished product is a $14-million 62,000-square foot building dedicated to academic and athletic performance.

The Yordon Center houses a 150-person auditorium, computer lab, athletic training area, locker rooms, strength and conditioning area, and more.

“At first, we just wanted to get new offices, but this is beyond our dreams and expectations,” Novak said. “Our kids will have a chance to develop academically, socially and athletically, because it’s a place they’re going to want to be. It will be a tremendous boost to our program.”

Officially the new building was to open on Aug. 1, but Novak and his staff moved into their new base on prior to that date.

Success overseas

For a second straight year NIU women’s basketball head coach Carol Owens has spent her summer coaching overseas.

Owens has been serving as an assistant coach for the USA Basketball under-19 Women’s World Championship Team underneath DePaul’s head coach Doug Bruno.

So far, the USA team is 3-0 as of July 30th.

Kreiter named to first-team

After her sophomore season, designated hitter Randi Kreiter was named to the Jewish Sports Review All-American team.

The Jewish Sports Review publishes issues bi-monthly and is the “Ultimate guide as to who is Jewish in the world of sports” according to the publication’s website.