Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! Many of you, like myself, already have a list of items you hope to receive this holiday season.

Wish lists do not elude NIU athletics as many players, coaches and teams have been writing their letters to Santa with presents they hope to unwrap for Christmas.

NIU football wants a bowl game: There is no gift the NIU football team, students and the people of DeKalb would be happier to unwrap than the team’s first bowl appearance in 20 years. The opportunities appear to be slimming by the day, but the distinct possibility of the Motor City Bowl still remains. Let’s hope the Motor City or some other bowl calls the Huskies’ name soon to secure the biggest of all the holiday gifts.

Michael Turner wants some national respect: While Turner may never ask for the attention, he certainly deserves it. It would be nice for Turner to wake up Christmas morning look in his stocking to discover a Doak Walker Award for the nation’s best running back. For the second-straight year, Turner finished second in the nation in regular-season rushing. Instead, this year Turner appears to be expecting coal in his stocking, as he was not listed as a finalist for either the Doak Walker or the Heisman Trophy.

Joe Novak wants new football facilities: If there is one gift other than the bowl game coach Novak would want, it would be upgraded team facilities. Known as some of the worst in Division-I football, NIU’s facilities do not have adequate offices, athlete study rooms or even film rooms. Novak would probably grow a beard and ride around in a sleigh if these holiday wishes came true for NIU.

Rob Judson wants some quality wins for his team: The men’s basketball heads into its toughest tournament outside of the MAC all year when they travel to Iowa this weekend. They will face mid-major power UIC and possibly Iowa with a win before squaring off against Marshall, NIU’s first conference opponent, on Dec. 13. The team then will travel for a tournament in Hawaii. If it can string together some quality wins and take care of Marshall, Judson will be no grinch this season.

Carol Hammerle wants a healthy pack of Huskies: For the second-straight season, Jamie Wilson is lost for an extended period of time with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Last season, Wilson was one of many Huskies to miss extended playing time with injuries. If she gets her wish this year, Hammerle can decorate her tree with healthy players allowing the team to gel just in time to head into the conference schedule.