NIU put on probation

After two years of waiting, NIU received one year of probation from an incident involving former women’s basketball player Joi Scott.

Due to what the NCAA deemed to be “mitigating circumstances,” NIU did not receive the two-year probational period that is standard with major infractions.

In 2004 Scott lived with and received money from LaVerne Gyant, the director of NIU’s Center for Black Studies.

“The NIU athletics program is operated with great integrity, and when mistakes occur, we own up to them,” said Jan Rintala, NIU’s faculty representative to the NCAA. ­— Jarrod Rice, Sports Editor

Wolfe and Free earn high honors

The NIU football team will have a literal and figurative “Big Man on Campus” this season. At 5-foot-7 you can guess which of those running backs Garrett Wolfe is. At 6-foot-7 and 302 pounds, offensive tackle Doug Free won’t be easy to miss either.

Wolfe was named the “BMOC” at NIU by Sports Illustrated and both he and Free have been named to several preseason All-American teams. An ESPN NFL draft specialist has even predicted that Free could go as high as the first round in the 2007 NFL draft.

“You talk to the National Football League scouts and some say that Doug is among the top five offensive tackles in next year’s draft. Knock on wood, I believe he’s going to be a first-round draft pick,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. — Jarrod Rice

Korcek calls it quits… sort of

After 33 years of service to NIU’s Sports Information Department, former Assistant Athletics and Sports Information Director Mike Korcek was replaced by Donna Turner.

Korcek officially retired on June 30 and will continue to head the Hall of Fame committee and stay on staff as “SID emeritus.”

“I have a lifetime of memories and friendships that Donald Trump can’t buy,” Korcek said. — Sean Connor, Sports Reporter

NIU vs. Iowa at Soldier Field

Unable to lure Iowa to Huskie Stadium for a return game next fall, Athletics Director Jim Phillips has arranged for the teams to meet at Soldier Field next fall.

“This game gives us tremendous exposure in Chicago,” Phillips said. “It is an opportunity for our fans, alumni, donors and students to come out and watch the Huskies in a world-class venue.”

The game is the first Division I-A college football game at Soldier Field since its renovation and will be considered a home game for the Huskies. — Sean Connor

Marcie Miller on National Team

NIU women’s soccer coach Marci Miller became the oldest player in U.S. Women’s National Team history to earn her first national team cap, the term used for playing experiences with the national team.

The 30-year-old boss played all 90 minutes on July 30 in a 2-0 win over Canada to move the team to 9-0-3.

Unfortunately for Miller, an injury prevented her from playing at the Chicago Fire’s new stadium in Bridgeview against China Sunday. However, it did allow her to coach her team against South Dakota State. — Sean Connor