The Convocation Center will host a monster truck rally in February.

The Rolling Thunder Monster Truck Challenge will take place at 8 p.m. Feb. 7, 2003, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 8.

The challenge will feature 14-foot-high trucks and motorcross events over the weekend.

Joe Coots, director of marketing and corporate sales for the Convo Center, is excited to see something different take the floor at the 10,000-seat arena. He’s hoping for a great turnout.

“Whenever you bring something like this that you usually don’t see on a college campus, it’s going to be a great time,” Coots said. “It’s exciting for everyone – students, young and old members of the community.”

Since its August opening, Convo Center performances have included comedian Bill Cosby and rock bands Counting Crows and Jars of Clay, in addition to basketball and volleyball games. Some students seemed excited to see the new event at NIU.

“I used to go to [monster truck rallies] as a kid, and they are a great time for the family,” freshman business major Dominic Poggi said.

Coots also is looking for fans of the “monster truck community” to come and support the event.

“These types of events are a blast!” DeKalb resident Mike Jennings said.