Tug Gillingham became the fourth player from last season’s NIU baseball team to sign with a professional contract by inking with the Windy City Thunderbolts.

“I’m excited for Tug,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “Playing pro baseball is something he always wanted to do.”

Gillingham hit .294 last season as backup catcher to Anthony Venetucci. Mathey said Gillingham will bring intensity, hard work and desire to the Thunderbolts lineup.

The NIU baseball team will hold tryouts for the 2006 season Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. at Ralph McKinzie Field.

GET YOUR GAME ON

Missed some Huskies sports action? For the second year in a row, Comcast SportsNet Chicago has an NIU highlight show in its lineup. “Inside Huskie Sports” will show game footage and features on NIU sports Thursdays during the fall and winter. The season preview show airs Sept. 8 at 4 p.m.

HOME ON THE RANGE

The NIU men’s golf team launches the 2005-06 season Sept. 12. The Huskies tee off at the Fairway Club Invitational, hosted by the University of Nebraska, at Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb.

FORE-POINT-OH?

A pair of Huskies have been honored for their play on the links and in the classroom. Seniors Ethan Roush and Nick Schenk were named Cleveland Golf Academic All-Americans. Academic All-Americans must maintain a 3.2 grade point average and a maximum stroke average of 76.0.

STUDENTS RULE

NIU soccer alumni will have to wait until next year to teach student-athletes a lesson. The weekend was flush with alumni soccer activities, and culminated with the women posting a 4-0 victory and the men tallying a 3-2 win in a pair of friendly exhibitions against NIU alumni teams.

GET YOUR KICKS I

The woman’s soccer coaches’ poll is out, and the Huskies have been picked to finish last in the MAC West. New head coach Marci Miller returns 16 letter winners from a squad which finished 6-7-5 last year.

GET YOUR KICKS II

The prospectus for the men’s soccer team was significantly better than the women’s squad. The coach’s poll forecasted coach Steve Simmons’ Huskies to finish second in the MAC West. A pair of All-MAC first team selections, Curt Zastrow and Jose Alvarado, headline a potent lineup that will feature 16 returning letter-winners.