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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Sophomore midfielder Aubrey Robertson kicks the ball away against the University at Buffalo on Oct. 12. The Huskies fell to Bowling Green State University 1-0 on Thursday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer falls in regular season finale

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 26, 2023

NIU women’s soccer ended its 2023 regular season on a sour note with a 1-0 loss to Bowling Green State University.  The Huskies have also lost their opportunity at home-field advantage for the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. A Kent State University...

Freshman forward Robbie Zimmerman passes the puck during NIU Hockey's game against the University of Jamestown on Oct. 14. The Huskies are looking for their first win this weekend against Midland University. (Courtesy of NIU Hockey)

Smith returns for hockey’s Midland rematch

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | October 26, 2023

DeKALB – Revenge is on the mind of a reloaded NIU Hockey (0-10-2, 0-6 MCH) squad, with a weekend series against Midland University (3-6, 3-4 MCH) on the horizon.  The Huskies are still in search of their first win after falling to Waldorf University...

NIU cross country head coach Juan Carrillo takes in the scene at an NIU event. Carrillo is in his first year as head coach of NIU cross country. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Culture shifter: The Carrillo effect on NIU cross country

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 26, 2023

11 years ago, NIU cross country head coach Juan Carrillo was immersed in a pursuit of one of the ultimate achievements in all of sports: Olympic contention.  Fast forward to the present, Carrillo has amassed a wealth of coaching experience, achieved...

New assistant coach added to softball staff

By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | October 26, 2023

Softball Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe has announced Hannah Clark as the new assistant coach.  “Hannah brings a remarkable blend of expertise and passion to our program," Sutcliffe said in an NIU Athletics press release. "As a former prestigious...

NIU graduate outside hitter Katie Erdmann serves the ball during the Huskies' Oct. 13 match against Eastern Michigan University at Victor E. Court. Erdmann joined the Huskies for her final season of college volleyball this fall after spending the past four years playing at the University of Southern Mississippi and the Florida Institute of Technology. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

Third time’s the charm: Erdmann’s journey to NIU

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 25, 2023

Head to Victor E. Court for a Tuesday morning NIU volleyball practice. Pay close enough attention between reps, and one might be able to witness the jocular antics perpetrated by graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann. One day, Erdmann might...

Andy Garcia speaks at Winter Sports Media for NIU Athletics on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. Garcia was announced as longtime NIU football radio broadcaster Bill Baker's successor as the main play-by-play commentator for NIU football and men's basketball. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

Garcia to succeed Baker in radio booth

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 25, 2023

DeKALB – NIU radio broadcast veteran Bill Baker will be passing the torch to Andy Garcia as his successor for the radio play-by-play voice of NIU football for the 2024 season and men’s basketball’s for the 2023-2024 season. Baker announced in...

A model of the 1899 Club shows people walking past the club, a proposed extension of the Yordon Center that focuses on nutritional needs of NIU student-athletes. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

NIU unveils $4 million student-athlete nutrition project

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | October 24, 2023

DeKALB – NIU has announced its plans for the 1899 Club, a project aimed at enhancing student-athlete nutrition with a new facility worth approximately $4 million. The new facility will make training table meals available to athletes of NIU football,...

Then-junior Mikael Vollbach stands ready to receive a serve during men's tennis' match against the University of Illinois Chicago on Feb. 22. Vollbach and senior Cheng En Tsai won two doubles matches before falling in the Round of 16 at the ITA Regional this weekend. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Norlin earns four wins at ITA Regional

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | October 24, 2023

DeKALB – NIU sophomore Christopher Norlin took the spotlight in a solid showing from NIU men’s tennis at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships this past weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Norlin won all three of his qualifying matches to earn a place...

Former NIU football kicker Mathew Sims gets ready for a last-second field goal attempt against the Ohio University Bobcats on Dec. 2, 2011. Sims, NIU's all-time leader in extra-point attempts and makes, died in a car crash on Friday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Former NIU kicker dies in car crash

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 23, 2023

Former NIU football kicker Mathew Sims died at 1:10 p.m. on Friday at Hannibal Regional Hospital. He was 31 years old. Sims was born on Nov. 8, 1991, in Hannibal, Missouri. He passed away in a car crash in Hannibal. Sims is survived by his parents...

Redshirt junior punter Tom Foley prepares to punt the ball during football's game against the University of Nebraska on Sept. 16. Foley was named the MAC West Specialist Player of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Foley earns football’s third consecutive MAC Player of the Week honor

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 23, 2023

DeKALB – NIU redshirt junior punter Tom Foley was named the MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in NIU football’s (4-4, 3-1 MAC) 20-13 win over Eastern Michigan University Saturday.  Foley punted the ball four times Saturday...

Freshman forward Tyra King's career day helped her secure her first Huskie of the Week honor. (Ria Pathak | Northern Star)

Tyra King claims Huskie of the Week crown

By Northern Star Sports Staff | October 23, 2023

DeKALB – A career shooting day against Ball State University for freshman forward Tyra King cemented her status as this week’s Huskie of the Week. King recorded five total shots and four shots on goal to lead NIU women’s soccer to a 1-0 victory...

Then-sophomore Isabella Sissi posing during her floor routine at the EMU gymnastics meet. Sissi scored 38.250 for her all-around performance in the meet. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Gymnastics releases 2024 schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 23, 2023

DeKALB – NIU gymnastics is slated to play four competitions at home in 2024 after the team’s schedule was announced Friday. "I'm very excited about the opportunities we're going to have over the next year," said NIU gymnastics head coach Sam Morreale...