Soccer is a failure in the U.S. and there needs to be a change. The popularity of soccer in the U.S. comes down to these things: our country's youth involvement, our country's perception of soccer and the success of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the men's...

It's easy for a pro athlete to forget where he came from once he becomes successful. But Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, 2004 NBA Finals MVP and three-time all-star, has not forgotten his roots, and took time to visit his former college basketball...

I'm not going to lie: When I was assigned to cover women's soccer last fall, I made an unpleasant face. No offense to the men's and women's soccer teams, but I just had no interest in the sport. But I found there's no reason for me to dislike the sport...

According to a press release, NIU head men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton announced the Huskies' 2008-09 schedule on Wednesday, featuring two tournaments, including the 2008 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout, hosted by the University of Alaska-Anchorage,...

NIU men's basketball head coach Ricardo Patton announced that he will hold a meeting on Tuesday at the Convocation Center for all students interested in trying out and becoming a member of the 2008-09 Huskie hoops squad, according to a news release. The...

New NIU athletic director Jeff Compher began his duties at the university on June 2, after being named to the position on April 15. Compher came to DeKalb from Seattle, where he spent the last three years as executive associate athletic director at the...

Most NIU athletic teams have their own facility to practice at and host events. The football team has Huskie Stadium, the basketball team has the Convocation Center. Some teams, though, aren't so lucky. For instance, the NIU women's track and field team,...

Editor's Note: The following stories are completely fake and made up by the Northern Star staff. Farm expo outdraws all Convo sporting events "Green acres is the place to be / Farm living is the life for me." Or so the "Green Acres" theme goes. Farm living...

The Northern Star counts down the top 10 athletes of the year, as picked by the sports staff. "I didn't intend to do it," said Darion "Jake" Anderson, of the NIU men's basketball team. "It just happened that way." Anderson said he didn't plan on becoming...

When I first came to NIU two years ago, I joined the Northern Star sports section for two reasons: I like sports and I like writing. I was excited by the opportunity to cover all the different teams, working with them and somehow sharing a glimpse of...

Home away from home is no vacation for NIU coaches and their staffs. Booking the right hotel can keep a coach's hands full when deciding the best location for his or her team, said men's tennis coach Pontus Hiort. Coaches have a lot more to look for than...

NIU men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton inked guards Jerwin Callaway and Keith Smith to National Letters of Intent to play for NIU in 2008. Patton also got former recruit Xavier Silas to join the squad for next year. The guard will transfer from Colorado,...