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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU President Lisa Freeman (left), NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean Frazier and NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock pose for a photo after a press conference held in the McCareins Auditorium inside the Yordon Center in DeKalb. NIU’s membership agreement with the Mountain West Conference, which the school will join as a football-only affiliate in 2026, was obtained by the Northern Star on Thursday. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

Looking inside NIU’s membership agreement with Mountain West

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 17, 2025

DeKALB — The Northern Star has obtained a copy of NIU’s membership agreement with the Mountain West Conference through a Freedom of Information Act request to NIU.  However, the agreement has been heavily redacted. NIU cited Section 7(1)(g) of...

Then-University of Charleston head coach Quinn Sanders looks on from the sideline during a Mountain East Conference game between Charleston and West Virginia State University on Nov. 16 at UC Stadium at Laidley Field in Charleston, West Virginia. NIU announced the hire of Sanders as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tuesday. (Courtesy of University of Charleston Athletics)

NIU football hires Quinn Sanders as new offensive coordinator

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 14, 2025

DeKALB – Following the departure of several assistant coaches – including all three coordinators, NIU football has made its first big hire of the offseason. The Huskies have hired former University of Charleston head coach Quinn Sanders to be their...

NIU football players run onto the field before the Huskies’ 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU will play its final season in the Mid-American Conference in 2025 before joining the Mountain West Conference as a football-only affiliate. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BREAKING: NIU to join Mountain West as football affiliate in 2026

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 7, 2025

Editor’s note: This is an ongoing breaking news story. This story will be updated when more information becomes available. DeKALB – NIU will officially join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member starting in 2026, leaving the Mid-American...

NIU redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Holst (15) takes a snap during the Huskies’ 28-20 victory over Mountain West Conference foe Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. NIU is poised to join the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026, pending approval from the NIU Board of Trustees at Tuesday’s special meeting. (Kenna Harbison | Boise State University Athletics)

NIU set to join Mountain West as football-only member

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 3, 2025

DeKALB – After nearly four decades in the Mid-American Conference and months of speculation regarding its future, NIU appears poised to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member. According to the agenda for Tuesday’s special meeting...

Members of the NIU football team celebrate, posing for a picture after defeating Fresno State University 28-20 on Monday in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The win improved NIU to a 2-1 bowl record under Hammock’s leadership. (Kenna Harbison | Boise State University Athletics)

Josh Holst leads NIU to double overtime victory in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 23, 2024

Three weeks after closing out a regular season that saw NIU pull off one of the largest upsets in college football history, the Huskies put a bow on their up-and-down season with a double overtime thriller in their final game of 2024. The Huskies (8-5,...

NIU football players celebrate and sing the “Huskie Fight Song” after their 24-16 win against Central Michigan University on Nov. 30. NIU will conclude the 2024 season at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23 in Boise, Idaho, facing off Fresno State in a rematch of the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU football to face Fresno State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 8, 2024

DeKALB – After finishing the regular season 7-5 to secure its first winning season since 2021, it was announced Sunday that NIU football (7-5, 4-4 MAC) will face off against the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-6, 4-3 MWC) in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl...

NIU senior safety Nate Valcarcel (9) assists senior linebacker Jaden Dolphin (26) in a tackle during the 117th Homecoming game against University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Valcarcel and seven other Huskies received all-conference honors from the Mid-American Conference on Thursday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

8 NIU football players earn All-MAC honors

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 6, 2024

DeKALB – After finishing the regular season with a winning record for the first time since 2021, eight NIU football players received all-conference honors, according to a release from the Mid-American Conference office Thursday. OL J.J. Lippe –...

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock (left) hypes up his players before they run onto the field for a game against the University at Buffalo on Sept. 21 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hammock added 19 freshmen and two transfers to NIU’s 2025 signing class on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period Wednesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU inks 18 freshmen, 2 transfers on National Signing Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 4, 2024

DeKALB – As NIU waits to learn its bowl game destination, head coach Thomas Hammock built for his team’s future by signing 18 freshmen and two transfers on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday. The 2025 recruiting class – Hammock’s...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) attempts a pass during an overtime loss to the University at Buffalo on Sept. 21 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hampton announced Sunday that he intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens Dec. 9. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BREAKING: NIU starting quarterback Ethan Hampton to enter transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB –  NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton announced on social media Sunday that he plans to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, ending an up-and-down career with the Huskies. The news comes one day after...

Senior defensive back Jashon Prophete (1) holds a bone in the air in front of his teammates after NIU football's 24-16 win against the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Saturday. The Huskies celebrated senior night during their final game of the regular season on Saturday and celebrated 30 seniors, 20 of which have spent their whole college career at NIU. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU thwarts Central Michigan, freezing temps on Senior Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team overcame below freezing temperatures Saturday night at Huskie Stadium to defeat Central Michigan University 24-16 and send its 30 graduating seniors off with one final victory at home. The Huskies (7-5, 4-4 MAC) rushed...