Lawrence Stoffel wanted to take his “kids” bowling in the worst way for a long time, but not the type of bowling that involves rented shoes.

Stoffel, director of Huskie bands and assistant music professor, hopes the football team’s success in the MAC might lead to a winter bowl game, and with it, a trip for the NIU marching band he conducts.

“For us, it would be a completely new experience because it’s been decades since the last bowl game for NIU,” he said. “None of the students have any inclination of what it would be like. The unknown newness of it is truly one of the most intriguing aspects of the season as it develops.”

NIU’s last bowl game was a 20-13 victory over California State-Fullerton in the 1983 California Bowl.

Another trip would be a fitting culmination of Stoffel’s seven years of teaching music and band formations at NIU.

“I really love being a performer,” he said. “I like going out and performing at the football games, be it during the halftime show or the tailgate portions before the games. Just that aspect of performing for fans of NIU football is very rewarding.”

Head football coach Joe Novak said the marching band is a big part of the NIU football experience.

“I have been a coach for 35 years, and I have come to know that a marching band and football go hand in hand on a fall afternoon,” he said. “They are a part of the show on a Saturday. I have even been a few places that people come for the band alone and leave after halftime.”

Stoffel loves game days, but his monotonous office hours are another story.

“The worst part of my job is that there is quite a bit of administrative work that goes along with being director of a program,” he said. “Budget work and paperwork are important for the success of the program, but there is nothing glamorous or enjoyable about them.”

Peg Ortega, assistant director of Huskie bands, said Stoffel doesn’t let office duties keep him down.

“His enthusiasm for the students and the university, and his commitment for professionalism – all those qualities make him a great band leader,” she said.

With football season in full swing, Stoffel doesn’t have much spare time.

“My spare time usually begins around Thanksgiving because while the football season is going on, there really isn’t any free time with all the marching band activities,” he said. “I do enjoy riding my bicycle quite a bit, going into the city with my wife and working around the house.”

For Stoffel, his time at NIU has been one of constant discovery.

“What I have really taken notice of is the many resources that Northern has for faculty, students, the community and alumni, especially with this last week with Homecoming,” he said. “Over these seven years, it has been a constant discovery of all these great resources that Northern has and I discover more with each year that I teach.”

Novak said that Stoffel uses those resources well.

“Larry does a very good job,” he said. “They play certain things at certain times during the game that can be an inspiration.”

Stoffel just hopes the inspiration the band provides leads to a bowl game at the season’s end.

“It’s just exciting to be in a place and time where there is serious, genuine talk of a bowl game at the end of the season,” he said.