DeKALB | Ten organizations and more than 500 people gathered at Wednesday’s Yell Like Hell event at the Convocation Center to cheer on their favorite organizations.

The event, put on by the Campus Activities Board, featured an appearance by the NIU football squad, a performance by the NIU cheerleaders and a Yell Like Hell spirit competition by 10 of the school’s organizations.

“This is my seventh year judging Yell Like Hell and every year I look forward to this,” said NIU President John Peters. “The work our groups put into it and the spirit and the dancing is great. I love to hear the music and I try to figure out what new they are going to come up with. I wish I was that creative. It was just great this year.”

Sigma Lambda Sigma and Omega Delta won the Yell Like Hell spirit competition. Sigma Sigma Sigma and Sigma Phi Epsilon finished second, and the Philippine Student Association, the defending champions, placed third.

“They are all winners,” Peters said.

After the event’s seven judges were introduced, the NIU football team joined the fun. Led by coach Joe Novak, senior running back Garrett Wolfe and senior free safety Dustin Utschig each addressed the crowd, thanking the fans for their support of the team.

After a performance by the NIU cheerleaders and the Yell Like Hell competition, NIU’s 2006 Homecoming Court was announced, including Queen Chasity Simon and King DuJuan Smith.

“It was pretty fun,” said freshman computer science and graphic design major Aaron Kent of his first Yell Like Hell. “I like the atmosphere and everybody seems like they’re having a good time.”

Peters added the event gets better and better every year and that he hopes that everyone has a safe, enjoyable Homecoming weekend.

“I am looking forward to this weekend,” Peters said. “I hope we all have a safe weekend and have a great victory and everybody enjoys themselves.”