Sports Reporter

While the NIU football program celebrated its first winning season in a decade, it lost a member of the Huskie football family last month. Former NIU Hall of Fame player Bob Fowlie, 74, died in Carrollton, Ga.

As a two-sport athlete for NIU’s football and baseball team, Fowlie earned all-conference honors as a 5-foot-9, 190-pound, offensive lineman. The Huskies football squad finished 6-2-1 during Fowlie’s senior year in 1949 and earned second place in the All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“I can close my eyes and see him in front of me now,” said Bud Nangle, former NIU Sports Information director and Hall of Famer. “He was a great pulling guard — very quick. In those days you weren’t big, you were quick. He was also sharp with his studies.”

As an outfielder for the Huskie baseball team, Fowlie earned Most Valuable Player honors in 1949.

Super soph: Just call him “Mr. Clutch.” Of Peter Agrimson’s three goals this season, two were game-winners. The sophomore defender notched winning goals in wins over Northwestern and DePaul. Those efforts helped earn the Agrimson Second-Team All-Midwest Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Assocation of America for the second straight year.

Coach Willie Roy said Agrimson also played solid defense in the backline, helping lead the Huskies to a 7-9-0 record.

“This award says a lot for Peter,” Roy said. “He played all sorts of positions this year, showing his versatility and ability to play wherever we needed him.”

South-of-the-border talent: The men’s tennis team announced the signing of Juan Pablo Barriga of Ario de Rosales, Mexico. One of the top-ranked national players in Mexico, Barrigo qualified for the finals in the Mexican National Tournament.

Barriga, who just received his high school diploma last month, will be eligible for the Spring 2001 season.

“He has no real weaknesses in his game,” NIU tennis coach Steven Rodecap said. “He is a good all-court player, with a strong serve and volley game. He can do a lot of things with the ball.”

Baseball in December?: Former Minnesota Twins Scott Stahoviak and the NIU baseball staff were scheduled to hold a baseball camp at the DeKalb Recreation Center on Dec. 23. The softball team was scheduled to host an “Advanced Skills” softball camp on Jan.6-7.