After four years observing Huskie sports year-round, this reporter can claim there is no doubt NIU athletics is on the rise.

Most notably, no longer is a Riddell screen-printed shirt the only thing to wear to a football game on Saturdays, and you can purchase an NIU hat at your local Lids store.

Also, Adidas gear is abundant among NIU merchandise thanks to Athletic Director Jim Phillips.

Phillips also signed a new deal with Gatorade and, along with football coach Joe Novak, helped raise money to build the Academic and Athletic Performance Center scheduled to be ready by fall 2007.

Oh, and don’t forget — the Convocation Center is only four years old.

After seeing seven coaching changes in four years — not including those coach Novak has had to replace on his staff — there is no doubt great things await.

From the football team to women’s track, NIU teams are building the foundations required to make this mid-major program a known commodity, and here’s why.

NIU football, well, enough said.

Men’s soccer went from three wins in 2003 to 12 and 11 wins the last two seasons, respectively, while being nationally ranked last fall for the first time since 1991.

First-year women’s soccer coach Marci Miller led the women’s team to one less win than it had in 2004, but refer to men’s soccer coach Steve Simmons’ success for what is to come from Miller.

Men’s basketball won its first ever MAC West title this season while staying in first place in its division all season.

Women’s basketball coach Carol Owens took her team to Cleveland, as well, in her first season.

Wrestling was ranked No. 24 and sent three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.

But one thing has been missing the last four years: a MAC championship.

With apologies to ESPN, coaches, you’re on the hot seat.

Editor’s note: Sean Connor is a former employee of the NIU Athletic Department