You may have heard Benjamin Franklin’s wearisome, yet honest saying: “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

There are also certainties in NIU sports: Football will always have a sterling running game, successful teams will always be under-appreciated and slapped with the mid-major stigma and Mike Korcek will always be in his office — no matter what time of day.

Many, perhaps even most NIU sports fans do not know who Mike is, but he’s a key behind-the-scenes player to the success of NIU sports. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike, NIU’s sports information director and assistant athletic director, for the past three years as a sports reporter and editor for the Northern Star and other area papers, and feel confident in saying there is not a greater NIU fan than he.

Perhaps that’s why his 33 years of service at NIU never seemed to tire him. Perhaps that’s why he logged 70 to 80 hour weeks with little complaint or even recognition. Some can claim to be the ultimate NIU fan, but these people have not met Mike Korcek.

Now, this is not an obituary, but NIU will lose a friend — possibly its most devoted friend — come June 30 when Mike retires.

He announced his retirement May 1, but it had been something he’d thought about for some time. Still, it was difficult for him to let go.

“I’d been thinking about it these last couple of years and it’s ironic because we’ve been so successful,” the 58-year-old Korcek said. “I’ve dreamt about all this attention for a long time.”

Mike is a walking encyclopedia of NIU sports statistics. He has team records memorized; those records have become a part of who he is.

Mike is always available for a spirited discussion at seemingly any time of the day or night. He never neglected even the lowliest collegiate journalist in arranging press passes, finding statistics and setting up interviews with athletes. Mike has seen his share of pesky reporters that “need that interview right away” — but he always remained a consummate professional and treated all with respect.

The long-time SID has steered the athletic program for much of his life. Now he’ll hand the captain’s wheel to someone else. But he won’t leave NIU entirely — it’s just not his nature.

For Mike to leave NIU completely, he’d have to be dragged away. Mike may give up his position as top dog, but he’ll stay on staff as an SID emeritus and sports historian. In his new job, he’ll conduct research without the hectic day-to-day bustle he’s become familiar with.

Mike served NIU most of his life. Including his years as an undergrad sports reporter and editor for the Northern Star, NIU has been a part of his life for 37 years.

Mike’s blood isn’t red — it’s cardinal.

Since announcing his retirement earlier this week, Mike has been thanked and appreciated with a slew of e-mails from individuals he has helped over the years. Amidst his responsibilities, he hasn’t gotten around to answering or reading many of them.

Soon, he’ll have time.

But with decreased hours and less responsibility, what will the Huskie captain do?

“It’ll be difficult,” he said. “I love reading. Every time I go to Borders I spend $25. I bought a bag of DVDs and haven’t even looked at them yet. I just haven’t had the time.”

But now, Mike Korcek will have time. He’ll have time to read, time to drive around on sunny days in his silver Camaro, time to research, relax, and maybe even start on that book he’s been thinking about: a historic account of NIU sports.

Mike looks back on his time at NIU with nostalgia and gratitude.

NIU and Huskie fans will do the same.