Life sometimes mirrors sports - within an instant, everything can change. No one knows this more than kinesiology and physical education assistant professor Walter Owens. Owens is a former Negro League Baseball player, assistant coach to the NIU basketball...

DeKALB | What's the best way to get over losing a guard like Stephanie Raymond? Sign an incoming freshman point guard with loads of potential, of course. Friday, women's basketball coach Carol Owens did just that, as she announced the signing of 5'10"...

DeKALB | The Gary Steelheads of the United States Basketball League have selected former NIU center James Hughes as the 11th overall pick in the draft. Hughes was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and averaged 12.1 points per game and a team-high...

DeKALB | New NIU men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton has made the final additions to his coaching staff. Former Colorado aides John Anderson, Sundance Wicks and Will Smith will join Chicago native Dennis Gates as newcomers to the program. "We have assembled...

There was a time when blaring music, full-throat public address and time-out gimmicks weren't necessary to get a crowd out of their seats. At NIU, that was the era of the Chick Evans Field House. "The thing about the Field House is that it was like the...

Is anyone else envious of the SIU Salukis right now? Since 2002, the Salukis have made it to the NCAA tournament. Wouldn't it be nice if the Huskies could make another run at the tournament and make predictions that NIU will beat or upset a team in our...

DeKALB | Monday afternoon truly was a welcoming party to DeKalb for Ricardo Patton, NIU's new men's basketball coach. Patton hadn't visited DeKalb until that point, not counting guided DVD tours. During his first day in town, the Northern Star had the...

For the first time in a long time, charisma, energy and life filled the Convocation Center. And no, I'm not talking about the Pep Band - although it was a nice touch for the occasion. No, all the excitement was provided by a man with a microphone. As...

DeKALB | Check your excuses at the door. Ricardo Patton was introduced as the 26th men's basketball coach in the history of NIU Monday at the Convocation Center, and made a bold pronouncement for all in attendance. "We have no excuses," Patton said. "We...

DeKALB | Six years ago, NIU held a press conference at Mike Ditka's Restaurant in Chicago to announce Rob Judson as "program savior," naming him men's basketball head coach. At 11 a.m. today, NIU will hold a press conference at Mike Ditka's to announce...

CLEVELAND | After accumulating its worst overall record since 2001, the season of the NIU men's basketball team has come to an end. A 67-62 loss to Western Michigan halted any hope the Huskies had of advancing in the MAC Tournament. The game, slated to...

DeKalb | Northern Illinois University has fired basketball coach Rob Judson, citing a lack of success with the program, the school announced Saturday. Judson, 49, had one year left on his contract. He arrived at NIU in 2001 and had a 74-101 career record...