NIU Athletic Director Jim Phillips added to his staff Wednesday. Phillips hired Tim McMurray as Associate Athletics Director for Development and Major Gifts Officer and David White as AADD and Annual Fund Director.

Both are expected to begin their duties April 3.

McMurray replaces Tim Stedman, who was hired by Michigan State. White will take over for Tekla Martin, who accepted a position the University of Nevada in Reno under former NIU Athletic Director Cary Groth.

From the Devil to the Wildcats

The men’s golf team will compete in the Eastern Kentucky Spring Invitational Friday in Richmond, Ky. The Huskies placed fourth at the El Diablo Invitational in Citrus Springs, Fl. March 18 and 19.

The women’s golf team will visit Palm Springs, Ca., to compete against Northwestern University, and play in the Northwestern Invitational Sunday. The Huskies have had a more than two-week layoff after their 12th place finish in the 20th Annual NIU Snowbird Invitational.

Familiar territory

The NIU women’s track and field team will return to action in the Chicagoland Championships April 8 in Naperville. This is the Huskies’ second Chicagoland Championships meet of the season. The first meet took place Feb. 17 in Romeoville, where the Huskies came in first place.

Ending the three-game skid

The men’s tennis squad defeated Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Sunday on the west courts in Rockford. The win ended the Huskies three-game losing streak.

“It’s always good to end a losing streak, but it’s most important to get off to a good start in the MAC,” said NIU coach Pontus Hiort. “We practice for and work for success in our conference as well as overall. This was an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and get off to a good start for league play and we accomplished that goal.”

The men’s tennis team has six meets remaining before the MAC championships April 27 in Toledo, Ohio.

The women’s tennis team will have to play MAC opponents for their last eight games. The team’s MAC championship begins April 27 in Oxford, Ohio.