NIU did not always have the Huskie as its mascot.

In the early days of the university, NIU really didn’t have a mascot at all.

According to the 2004 Football Media Guide, NIU teams were known by several nicknames – the first being the “Profs,” as NIU was a teachers’ institution. NIU also was referred to as the “Teachers.”

In the 1920s, the Cardinals nickname appeared, most likely because of NIU’s red and black colors. As the 1930s rolled around, NIU athletes became known as Evansmen in recognition of athletics pioneer George G. “Chick” Evans.

It wasn’t until 1940 – 45 years after the school was founded – that the Huskie was chosen to be NIU’s mascot. Evans, along with three other members of the varsity club, were asked to create “a term with a trifle more dash,” the media guide stated.

The Northern Illinois, as the Northern Star was known at the time, introduced the Huskie mascot on Jan. 25, 1940. The three-paragraph article stated, “From now on, the word ‘Huskies’ will be used constantly in this paper and in other papers to indicate our athletics squads.”

Assistant university archivist Joan Metzger said she likes the Huskie as a mascot, especially the live huskies brought out at home football games.

“They are beautiful, classy dogs and well-behaved,” she said.

Sports information director Mike Korcek said the Huskie is a perfect match for NIU.

“You have SIU and the Salukis and that’s a sleek, fast, Egyptian hunting dog,” Korcek said. “The Huskie is tough, and we’re up here in the North and I think it fits. It will always fit.”

While the Huskie mascot has been around since 1940, the logo has changed over the years.

The Huskie logo seen today on sweatshirts, keychains and other merchandise was unveiled Aug. 8, 2001. The former Huskie on the logo was shown in running motion, while today’s Huskie appears in a fighting stance.

“The image of huskies pulling a sled through tough terrain in rough weather speaks of ‘fighting spirit’ – which our current sports teams seem to have,” Metzger said. “The mascot logo on the clothing and other items is OK, but I think the previous logo – the running Huskie – presented more fighting spirit.”