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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Zachary Bertram

Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter

Zachary Bertram is the senior sports reporter at the Northern Star. He joined the Northern Star in September 2022. He is a junior journalism major with a minor in English. He is from Tinley Park, Illinois, and transferred to NIU from Moraine Valley Community College. He loves to play baseball and basketball.

All content by Zachary Bertram
NIU junior pitcher Conner Lutes (36) pitches during the second inning against UIC. Lutes pitched five innings, gave up one earned run and had one strikeout. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskie bats go cold in loss to UIC

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 25, 2024
Sophomore forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser prepares to shoot a free throw in an NIU mens basketball home game against Central Michigan University on March 5. Konan Niederhauser announced his commitment to The Pennsylvania State University on Monday via Instagram. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Konan Niederhauser commits to Penn State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 16, 2024
Senior outfielder/catcher Collin Summerhill catches a baseball before an NIU baseball game against Louisiana State University. Summerhill hit his ninth home run of the 2024 season in a 5-3 win over the University of Toledo on Saturday. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)

Huskies avoid sweep behind Summerhill longball

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 31, 2024
Chicago White Sox shortstop Danny Mendick throws a baseball during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Friday in Tempe, Arizona. The White Sox and Chicago Cubs are set for their respective Opening Day games on Thursday. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Cubs, White Sox ready for 2024 season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 27, 2024
Redshirt sophomore Adam Brouwer delivers a pitch against Miami University at McKie Field at Hayden Park in Oxford, Ohio. Brouwers seven-inning shutout performance boosted the Huskies to a 1-0 win over the RedHawks on Sunday. (Ellison Neumann | Courtesy of Miami Athletics)

Huskies take down Miami in pitchers duel

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 24, 2024
Then junior infielder/outfielder Andrew Smart (27) takes a practice swing while on-deck on March 24, 2023. NIU baseball lost its fourth straight game as it lost 7-4 to Miami University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies end MAC series winning streak

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 24, 2024
Junior guard David Coit (11) prepares to make a fake pass to a teammate in front of him before quickly sending the ball to a teammate behind him.

Coit named MAC Player of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 4, 2024
Junior guard David Coit (11) shoots a three-pointer over Ball State junior guard Jalin Anderson (1) on Feb. 20. Coit led the Huskies in scoring with 27 points in a 75-72 upset win over the University of Toledo on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Unsung heroes lift Huskies to upset win over Toledo

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 28, 2024
Redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell passes the ball in an NIU mens basketball home game against the University at Buffalo on Tuesday. Russell recorded 2 points in 27 minutes played in a 85-47 loss to Kent State University Saturday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball pummeled at Kent State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 17, 2024
NIU junior guard Zarique Nutter (2) shoots a free throw after a personal foul from Toledo’s redshirt freshman forward Javan Simmons on Jan. 23. Nutter finished with 22 points in a win over Miami University Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies slip past RedHawks, win second straight

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 7, 2024
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević questions a call during a Bulls home game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Vučević was traded to Chicago in March 2021 and has yet to represent the Bulls at the NBA All-Star Game. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

COLUMN: The Chicago Bulls need a fresh start

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
January 31, 2024
The Huskie men’s basketball team returns from the court, defeatedly high fiving their teammates at the bench after losing to Kent State. The final score was 83-76. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball drops seventh consecutive game

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
January 17, 2024
NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock leads his players onto the Huskie Stadium field on Sept. 23 against the University of Tulsa. The Huskies will face Arkansas State University on Saturday in the Camellia Bowl. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Football set for bowl battle with Arkansas State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
December 22, 2023
Sophomore forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) is guarded by Indiana State players while going for a layup as sophomore forward Xavier Amos (13) waits for a rebound during the first quarter Tuesday. The Huskies fell to Monmouth at the buzzer on Saturday. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Monmouth downs men’s basketball at buzzer

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
December 9, 2023
Redshirt junior running back Gavin Williams (21) runs with the ball looking to get past Western Michigans defense. The Huskies will participate in the Camellia Bowl after an up-and-down season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Looking back on football’s rocky season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
December 8, 2023
Redshirt senior Tyler Jackson (0) holds the NIU flag as he leads the team onto the Huskie Stadium field on Oct. 21. The Huskies will take on Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 23. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football to compete in Camellia Bowl

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
December 4, 2023
NIU junior running back Antario Brown (1) fights to break tackles against three Ball State defenders during NIU footballs game on Nov. 7. Brown is among five players on NIU to receive All-MAC honors. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

5 Huskies named to All-MAC Teams

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
December 4, 2023
A graphic shows NIU footballs junior Huskie Devin Lafayette (3), redshirt junior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph (85) and senior safety C.J. Brown (6). The mentioned Huskies have all announced their intentions to transfer following the 2023 season. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

3 Huskies enter transfer portal ahead of bowl game

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 30, 2023
Then-sophomore guard David Coit stares down his defender in a home game against Western Michigan University on Feb. 11. Coit scored a career-high 34 points to lead NIU mens basketball to an 89-79 victory over DePaul University. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Coit leads men’s basketball to fifth-straight win

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 26, 2023
Junior running back Antario Brown rushes the ball during NIU footballs 24-0 win over Western Michigan on Nov. 14. The Huskies enter the final game of the season needing a win to be bowl eligible. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Bowl game within reach ahead of final football game

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 24, 2023
Sophomore forward Xavier Amos shoots a three-point shot against Appalachian State University on Nov. 11. NIU mens basketball took down the University of Arkansas at Little Rock 98-93 on Saturday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball holds on for fourth straight win

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 18, 2023
Redshirt freshman Dane Pardridge returns a punt from Western Michigan University on Tuesday. NIU football defeated the Broncos 24-0 to win its fifth game of the year. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies shut out Broncos in statement win

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 15, 2023
2022 redshirt senior guard Paulina Castro gives coach Lisa Carlsen a high five as the rest of the womens basketball team heads toward the sideline after its game against Bowling Green on Feb. 2, 2022. (Summer Fitzgerald | Northern Star File Photo)

Women’s basketball adds 3 new recruits

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 13, 2023
Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in an NIU football home game against Ball State University on Tuesday. The Huskies are set to defend home field on Tuesday against Western Michigan University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football set for final home game of the season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 12, 2023
Then-sophomore guard David Coit dribbles the ball on March 9 at the MAC Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio. Coit had 14 points in the Huskies season-opening loss to Marquette. (Northern Star File Photo)

No. 5 Marquette cruises past men’s basketball

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 7, 2023
Redshirt junior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph receives a handoff during NIU footballs game against Eastern Michigan University on Oct. 22. The Huskies comeback bid fell short in a 37-31 loss to Central Michigan on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football’s MACtion comeback falls short

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 1, 2023
Then-sophomore guard David Coit dribbles the ball past a Kent State University defender in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament on March 9. Senior Sports Reporter Zach Bertram highlights Coits journey from Atlantic Cape Community College to NIU. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

From D3 to D1: David Coit’s path to NIU

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 31, 2023
The Ludington Building at Columbia College sits outside on a cloudy day. Faculty at Columbia College began a strike on Monday. (Wikimedia image)

Columbia College teachers begin strike

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 30, 2023
Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi hands the ball off to redshirt junior running back Gavin Williams in a 35-11 loss against the University of Nebraska. The Huskies travel to Central Michigan looking to stay ahead of the Chippewas in the MAC West standings. (Mark Kuhlmann | NIU Athletics)

Football preparing for Central Michigan battle

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 29, 2023
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, NIUs 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
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine shoots a layup past Denver Nuggets forward Jrue Holiday in a preseason game on Thursday. The Bulls are set to start the 2023-2024 season with LaVine, guard DeMar DeRozan and forward Nikola Vučević at the helm. (AP Photo | Nam Y. Huh)

Bulls set for 2023-2024 season with same core

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 17, 2023
Redshirt sophomore kicker Jake Seibert (30) practices for field goal kicks while  redshirt sophomore kicker Kanon Woodill (92) holds the ball in place during the NIU game against SIU Sept 9. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Woodill earns MAC Special Teams Player of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 16, 2023
NIU junior safety Nate Valcarcel (9) runs back an interception during the fourth quarter against Ohio. The Huskies won the game 23-13. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football upsets Ohio for Homecoming victory

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 14, 2023
Wide receiver redshirt senior Davis Patterson (9) turns to look for the ball while Southern Illinois cornerback senior DJ Johnson (9) waits to block the play during Southern Illinois University versus the Huskies on Sept 9. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football to host 116th Homecoming game

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 12, 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks Evan Longoria hits a single during the sixth inning of a Game 1 of their National League wildcard baseball series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Guide to the 2023 MLB Playoffs

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 3, 2023
The Huskies offensive line has a team discussion in the third quarter on Sept. 9 against Southern Illinois University. The Huskies were defeated 14-11. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football to face NC State, Ohio State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 2, 2023
Then-junior Jasmine Ly shoots at the MAC Tournament from April 21 to April 23. Ly tied the NIU record for lowest round score at the Johnie Imes Invitational and earned MAC Golfer of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Ly nabs MAC Golfer of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 30, 2023
University of Tulsa special teams unit pushes against NIU punt cover during Saturday games. Tulsa beat the Huskies 22-14. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football begins MAC play against defending champs

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 28, 2023
Senior golfer Jasmine Ly following through on her swing on Tuesday. Ly finished in a tie for third place at the Redbird Invitational. (Bill Salyer | Illinois State Athletics)

Ly ties NIU single round record

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 27, 2023
Huskie junior forward Taisei Arima rushes the ball upfield during NIU mens soccers Missouri Valley Conference opener against Missorui State on Sept. 16. The Huskies lost the game by a final score of 3-0. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Men’s soccer falters in second straight shutout

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 25, 2023
NIU offensive line sets against Tulsa defensive line during Saturdays game at the Huskie Stadium. On Saturday, the Huskies were defeated by Tulsa 22-14. (Cameron Whittington | Northern Star)

Quarterback carousel not enough in Huskies’ loss

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 23, 2023
Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi hands the ball off to redshirt junior running back Gavin Williams in a 35-11 loss against the University of Nebraska. The Huskies travel to Central Michigan looking to stay ahead of the Chippewas in the MAC West standings. (Mark Kuhlmann | NIU Athletics)

Football eyes bounce-back victory against Tulsa

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 20, 2023
Quarterback Ethan Hampton looks for an open receiver to pass to during a play in the second quarter of the Huskies matchup against the Rockets on Sept. 30, 2022 at Huskie Stadium. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Run game and defense issues remain

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 18, 2023
Senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) make a quick handoff to junior Trayvon Rudolph (85) to make a complete play on Saturday. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

2023 MAC football set for competitive bloodbath

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 13, 2023

Huskies take fifth at Redbird Invitational

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 12, 2023
Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) looks to pass to senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz (8) on Saturday during the third quarter against Southern Illinois University on Saturday. The Huskies lost to Southern Illinois University 14-11. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Offense sputters as Huskies lose home opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 9, 2023
Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi searching for a target against Boston College on Sept. 2. The Huskies defeated the Eagles in overtime 27-24. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Huskies set to battle Southern rival in home opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 7, 2023
Then-junior Jasmine Ly shoots at the MAC Tournament from April 21 to April 23. Ly tied the NIU record for lowest round score at the Johnie Imes Invitational and earned MAC Golfer of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s golf prepares for 2023-2024 season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 6, 2023
Senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz celebrates the overtime touchdown scored by redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi. The Huskies defeated the Boston College Eagles 27-24 Saturday for their first win of the 2023 regular season. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Huskies down Eagles in overtime thriller

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 2, 2023
NIU junior catcher Colin Summerhill (8) slides into third base after hitting a triple on Friday against Akron. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Zips sweep doubleheader, series with Huskies

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 30, 2023
Redshirt senior forward Anthony Crump lining up to shoot a free throw during the Huskies matchup against the Miami RedHawks on Jan 28. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Crump transferring to Western Michigan

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 21, 2023
Kent State grad student forward Lindsey Thall (44) reaches toward NIU senior forward AJah Davis (25) for an incoming pass during the MAC Womens Basketball Tournament on March 8 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

Record-holder Davis transfers to Seton Hall

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 19, 2023
Darweshi Hunter (24) runs down the court beside Bulls junior guard Zid Powell (13), who is attempting to block Hunter. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Darweshi Hunter commits to Miami

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 12, 2023
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