Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock speaks to the media during a press conference Tuesday in the McCareins Auditorium inside the Yordon Center. Hammock will lead the Huskies against Western Illinois University on Saturday in NIU’s season opener at Huskie Stadium. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU football set to clash with Western Illinois in 2024 opener

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 29, 2024

DeKALB – After an offseason of movements and preparation, college football returns to DeKalb this weekend as NIU plays host to an in-state foe to kick off the 2024 campaign. NIU and Western Illinois University will battle Saturday at Huskie Stadium...

Members of the NIU volleyball team huddle on Nov. 11, 2023, during a road match at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The Huskies begin the 2024 season Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Volleyball seeks rebound in 2024

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | August 28, 2024

Rebuild and Redemption. Those are good words to describe the outlook for NIU volleyball as it approaches the start of the 2024 season.  Coming off the heels of an 8-22 season, NIU volleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore is looking for her unit to reinforce...

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Rocky Lombardi (4) throws the ball before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 17 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Lombardi was one of five former NIU Huskies who saw NFL preseason action before being released ahead of Tuesday's roster cut deadline. (Erin Hooley | AP Photo)

Six former Huskies dropped in NFL roster cutdowns

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 27, 2024

DeKALB – When mandatory mini camps for NFL teams opened in early June, seven former NIU Huskies were signed to NFL rosters and battling for a roster spot. But after the 3 p.m. CT Tuesday deadline by which all 32 NFL clubs had to trim their rosters...

Then-junior Ben Sluzas eyes his shot during his follow-through. Sluzas, who shot a 72.12 average last season, is the top scorer returning for NIU men's golf in fall 2024. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Sluzas, Krammer to lead Huskies going into Fall 2024 season

By Eddie Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | August 27, 2024

NIU men’s golf enters the Fall 2024 season competing in six events beginning Sunday at the Island Resort Intercollegiate. The Huskies finished last season with their best placement, tying for third place at the 2024 MAC Championship.  The Huskies...

NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock speaks to his players after the Huskies’ annual spring showcase on April 27. NIU enters the 2024 season as a dark-horse contender for the Mid-American Conference championship after tying for third in the league’s preseason coaches poll. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Football eyes title contention with senior-heavy roster

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 26, 2024

DeKALB – When it comes to building a program, NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock approaches his team as one would the caretaking of a Chinese bamboo tree. The subject of an often-cited parable about patience and development, the Chinese bamboo...

Senior forward Kevin Kelly (10) approaches the ball Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Men's and women's soccer have added 22 new student-athletes for the 2024 season as the Huskies look to expand on conference championship tournament appearances in 2023. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

New faces lead charge for men’s and women’s soccer

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | August 26, 2024

Successful seasons for both NIU men’s and women’s soccer, with trips to the MVC and MAC championship tournaments last season, respectively, leave both teams with expectations for improvement.  While the men’s team advanced further in the MVC...

Junior forward Taylor Davis winds up a kick on Sunday at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. NIU men's soccer defeated Chicago State University 4-2 in the Huskies' 2024 home opener. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer takes home opener 4-2

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | August 25, 2024

With four Huskies scoring their first goal in a NIU uniform, NIU men’s soccer bounced back from a 1-0 defeat in the season opener with a 4-2 win over the Chicago State University Cougars.  NIU men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan touched on the difference...

A graphic displays photos of NIU student-athletes from football, volleyball, men's soccer and women's soccer. Sports Editor Lucas Didier shares his most important focus areas for each of NIU's fall sports teams. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

COLUMN: How the Huskies can excel in fall 2024

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | August 25, 2024

Victories in the Camellia Bowl and the opening round of the MVC Tournament contributed to a fairly successful Fall 2023 season for NIU, but there is plenty of room for the Huskies to surpass themselves in 2024. Here’s how NIU can step up its game...

Sean Frazier, NIU’s vice president and director of athletics and recreation, cheers with the rest of the crowd during an NIU men’s basketball game against Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 3 at the Convocation Center. NIU Athletics announced a contract extension for Frazier on Friday that will keep him at NIU through June 30, 2027.

NIU, AD Sean Frazier agree to contract extension

By Northern Star Sports Staff | August 23, 2024

DeKALB – NIU Athletics announced Friday a contract extension with Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier that will tie him to the university through June 30, 2027. Frazier, who enters his 12th year at the helm of NIU...

Licensed NIU merchandise is displayed inside an apparel store located inside the Convocation Center. NIU will open two permanent apparel store locations in the fall. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

NIU Athletics unveils plans for on-campus apparel stores

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

DeKALB – NIU Athletics announced plans Thursday to open two Huskie Apparel Store locations this fall inside the Convocation Center and Recreation Center. The stores will offer Adidas products, including official team-worn lines and replica jerseys,...

Redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell (10) attempts a free throw late in the second half of an NIU men's basketball home game. Russell announced Sunday that he will be transferring to Niagara University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Zion Russell commits to Niagara University

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | May 6, 2024

DeKALB – NIU redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell announced his commitment to Niagara University for the 2024-25 season via Instagram Sunday.  Russell is the fourth of seven 2023-24 Huskies that entered the transfer portal to find a new home.  Sophomore...

Freshman catcher Cooper Cohn (4) beats a throw to first base on May 3 at Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park. NIU baseball lost the series finale against Ball State University by a score of 13-10 on Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies out-slugged by Ball State, drop series finale

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | May 5, 2024

DeKALB – NIU baseball lost a slugfest against Ball State University, as the Cardinals slugged four home runs, losing by a score of 13-10.  EARLY DEFICIT The Huskies starting pitcher for the day, senior pitcher Dominic Hann, totaled three innings...