After capturing an undisputed MAC West championship, NIU football bid farewell to what head coach Joe Novak called the most successful senior class in school history Sunday at the 10th annual football banquet.

Hundreds of family members and football players in attendance filled the Duke Ellington Ballroom for the noon banquet to present team awards and recognize the team’s 17 seniors.

Former offensive lineman Shea Fitzgerald, who died in a Chicago porch collapse in summer 2003, would have finished his senior campaign this year and also was recognized.

Assistant athletic director Robert Collins led the proceedings with a welcome and congratulated the team on its success. A 10-to-12 minute highlight film of memorable plays during the season immediately followed.

Longtime Chicago Tribune reporter Bill Jauss also was recognized for his 54 years of journalistic excellence and his constant coverage of Huskie football. Jauss, who recently retired from the Tribune, was presented with a rocking chair after an introductory speech by sports information director Mike Korcek.

Novak kicked off the meat of the event by praising his senior class. Over their four years, the seniors compiled 34 wins, the most by any class in team history. Along with the team’s sixth consecutive winning season, the offense was recognized for a school-record 5,329 total offensive yards this season.

“Considering the history and tradition of this university, this is the best group that has ever come through here,” Novak said. “So you challenge the group coming up. There’s no question there’s some good leadership coming up with Garrett Wolfe and Doug Free. Every group knows when they get to that final year, they have to step up and be leaders.”

Post-season team award presentations concluded the banquet. Player of the Week awards were given to junior running back Garrett Wolfe, junior safety Dustin Utschig, senior running back Adrian Davis and senior wide receivers Sam Hurd and Shatone Powers. Senior defensive tackle Quince Holman garnered Most Improved Player thanks to his First-Team All-MAC selection. Offensive Most Valuable Player went to Wolfe and the Defensive MVP was Utschig.

Noticeably absent at the event was Hurd, whose flight back from San Antonio was delayed by fog. Hurd, an honorable mention All-American, took home the Fran Cahill Award for best team receiver.

“Beating Alabama and getting to the bowl game last year, those were my favorite memories,” said Ray Smith, who is looking to become a graduate assistant and eventually a head football coach. “By getting to Detroit and the MAC championship, we left something here for the underclassmen to strive for.”

Seniors: George Daglas (OT), Adrian Davis (RB), Jack Ebenhoch (OG), A.J. Harris (RB), Quince Holman (DT), Sam Hurd (WR), Jason Hutton (LB), Jason Labus (C), Ben Lueck (OG), Shatone Powers (WR), Pat Raleigh (TE), Edgar Rodriguez (WR), Deon Smith (CB), Ray Smith (SS), Brian Van Acker (C), Marty Wilson (NT), Shea Fitzgerald (OL).

– Players of the Week: Garrett Wolfe (RB), Dustin Utschig (FS), Adrian Davis (RB) and wide receivers Sam Hurd and Shatone Powers (WR)

– Academic All-MAC: Brad Benson (DT), Jake Ebenhoch (OG)

– All-MAC Selections: Second team – Jake Nordin (TE). First Team – Doug Free (OT), Quince Holman (DT), Sam Hurd (WR), Ben Lueck (OG), Ray Smith (SS), Garrett Wolfe (RB), Brian Van Acker (C)

– Captain Plaques: A.J. Harris (RB), Ray Smith (SS), Brian Van Acker (C)

– Verne Smith Award Nominee: Sam Hurd (WR)

– Highest GPA: Bran Benson (DT)

– Jawan Jackson Memorial Award: Martin Wilson (DT)

– Fran Cahill Memorial Award: Sam Hurd (WR)

– Most Improved Player: Quince Holman (DT)

– MVP: Offense – Garrett Wolfe (RB). Defense – Dustin Utschig (FS).