Jeremy Busch didn’t have to go far to find his new baseball home.

The Huskie center fielder, who was named to the First-Team All-MAC squad at the conclusion of the 2005 season, signed with the Rockford Riverhawks of the Frontier League July 1.

Busch led NIU in 12 offensive categories, hitting .340 with 9 home runs, 14 doubles and 39 RBIs. The Huskie leadoff man hit .388 in the season’s final 19 games.

“The numbers don’t lie, but Jeremy was never about the numbers,” NIU head coach Ed Mathey said. “He wanted to win, and that’s why he had so much success at this level.”

Busch has enjoyed success with the Riverhawks since joining the roster. In six games, Busch has amounted six RBIs on seven hits in 14 at-bats.

NIU right fielder Eric Sansouci also inked with a professional team June 25 when he signed with the Gateway Grizzlies.

Paulsen to play for UWM

Months after asking for a release from his scholarship obligations to NIU, former Huskie forward Paige Paulsen has enrolled at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and will play basketball beginning with the 2006-07 season.

Paulsen averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for NIU last season despite being hampered by the lingering effects of a mid-season concussion.

The 6-foot-7 Paulsen will sit out next season due to NCAA transfer regulations, and will then have two years of eligibility remaining.

“Paige is a great addition to our program,” UWM basketball coach Rob Jeter said. “He comes to us as a proven Division I leader and will add maturity to experience.”

UWM lost to Illinois in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament last season and finished last season ranked No. 23.

NIU player goes national

Senior NIU midfielder Angeline Impelido jumped at the opportunity to represent the Philippines after receiving an invitation in June.

Impelido played in several tournaments against club and national-level teams, traveling to Vietnam for one of the tournaments.