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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
Junior running back Justin Lynch running with the football against Tulsa University. The Huskies were defeated 22-14 by the Golden Hurricane on Saturday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

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 on Saturday. The Huskies are set to face the University of Tulsa at 11 a.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium. (Mark Kuhlmann | NIU Athletics)

Football eyes bounce-back victory against Tulsa

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 20, 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)

Women’s golf places 12th at Mary Fossum Invitational

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 18, 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
Senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) looks to take an open pass to senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz (8) during the third quarter against Southern Illinois University on Saturday. The Huskies lost to Southern Illinois University 14-11. ( Nyla Owens | Northern Star )

COLUMN: Discipline, poor offense catalyze home-opening loss

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. The Huskies finished second at the event. (Photo courtesy 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
Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi evades Tulsa graduate linebacker Grant Sawyer duing a pass attempt in the first half of September 1st 2022 matchup. Lombardi led the Huskie scoring with three touchdowns through the air.

Complementary football vital to Huskies’ 2023 turnaround

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
August 30, 2023
NIU junior shortstop Andre Demetral (1) rounds to third base after stealing second base in the bottom of the first inning. Demetral scored off of a hit by junior first baseman Colin Summerhill, earning the Huskies their first run of the game and setting the score 3-1. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Summerhill’s home run helps Huskies snap skid

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
May 3, 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
Senior utility player Sam Mallinder (18) high-fives the first base coach after hitting a single that drove in a run during the third inning. The Huskies lost the game 7-6. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

6th-inning grand slam propels Huskies in doubleheader split

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 26, 2023
NIU freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22), at bat, watches the ball fly after swinging during the Huskie Softball game against Central Michigan University on April 1 at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies fall to Broncos after late rally comes up short

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 25, 2023
Reigning Tugs champions Sigma Nu defeats Phi Sigma Kappa during the championship match. Sigma Nu is the 2023 Tug Champions, making this their second consecutive title. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Tugs dynasty: Sigma Nu captures second straight title

By Zachary Bertram and Alex Crowe
April 22, 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
Delta Chi tugging against Phi Kappa Theta on Wednesday. With Delta Chi defeating Phi Kappa Theta, Delta Chi moves onto the fifth place match.(Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Delta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon win in Day 1 of losers bracket

By Joseph Segreti and Zachary Bertram
April 19, 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
NIU senior center fielder Malik Peters (31) walks up to bat at the bottom of the ninth inning Friday. The Huskies lost to CMU 7-0 for the mid-afternoon game on April 7. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Armbrustmacher shuts down Huskies, Broncos tie series

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 15, 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

Huskies cough up late lead in loss to Kent State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 8, 2023
Junior infielder Eric Erato (5) looks at his bat after striking out during the game on March 24 (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Flames engulf Huskies in weekday matchup

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 5, 2023
NIU junior outfielder and catcher Colin Summerhill (8) runs towards first base after hitting the ball off Ohio redshirt junior Jacob Tate (19) on March 24. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies swept by Xavier after tightly-contested loss

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 2, 2023
NIU freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22), at bat, watches the ball fly after swinging during the Huskie Softball game against Central Michigan University Saturday at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies stage comeback to down Central Michigan

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
April 1, 2023

Softball drops weekday tilt with Ball State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 29, 2023
Anthony Crump (50) shooting a free throw as lined up players from both teams prepare to recover the shot. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Crump, Hunter enter transfer portal

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 28, 2023
Junior infielder Andre Demetral (1) leads off first base during NIU baseballs home opener against Ohio on March 24. The Huskies lost the game by a final score of 11-2. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies end home-opening series with doubleheader split

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 26, 2023

Cruthers, Mallinder, Shumaker help Huskies sink Miami

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 25, 2023
Kent State redshirt senior guard Malique Jacobs (2) jumping too late to block David Coit’s (11) jump shot in the last minutes of the first half. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Coit named to NABC All-District Second Team

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 24, 2023
Junior gymnast Alyssa Al-Ashari posing during her beam routine at the EMU gymnastics meet. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Hamp, Al-Ashari, Nock to represent NIU at Denver Regional

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 23, 2023
Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi is tagged out at the plate by Chicago Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart while trying to score on a base hit by Yasmani Grandal during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Cubs, White Sox prepare for 2023 season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 17, 2023

Softball splits doubleheader in final day of Saint Louis tournament

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 13, 2023
Then-sophomore infielder Eric Erato swings his bat during a game against Ball State University on April 23, 2022 in DeKalb.

McNamara’s home run leads Flashes past Huskies

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 11, 2023

Dominant pitching pushes Kent State past Huskies

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 10, 2023
Kent State University redshirt senior guard Malique Jacobs (2) defending NIU sophomore guard David Coit (11) in the second half of the teams matchup at the MAC Mens Basketball Tournament Thursday in Cleveland. Coit scored 10 points in the final game of the season for the Huskies. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Kent State eliminates NIU men’s basketball from MAC tournament

By Ethan Gonzales and Zachary Bertram
March 9, 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)

3-point barrage from Kent State eliminates Huskies from MAC tournament

By Ethan Gonzales and Zachary Bertram
March 8, 2023

Baseball falls to winless Minnesota

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 8, 2023

Softball downs USF in tournament finale

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 6, 2023
Senior guard Kaleb Thornton (3) tries to defend a shot from Broncos senior guard Lamar Norman Jr. during the Huskies matchup against the Western Michigan Broncos on Feb. 11 at the NIU Convocation Center. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Top 8 teams prep for MAC tournament

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 5, 2023

Huskies open USF tournament with back-to-back wins

By Ethan Gonzales and Zachary Bertram
March 4, 2023
Then-sophomore guard Keshawn Williams (0) performs a layup as Kent State Universitys then-redshirt junior guard Sincere Carry defends during a Mid-American Conference basketball game between NIU and Kent State on March 1, 2022 at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb, Ill. (Northern Star File Photo)

Men’s basketball coach Burno reveals Williams’ injury

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 2, 2023
Senior guard Darweshi Hunter attempts a layup in NIUs 85-75 loss on Feb. 28.

Slow start burns Huskies in loss to Buffalo

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
March 1, 2023
Senior guard Kaleb Thornton (3) tries to defend a shot from Broncos senior guard Lamar Norman Jr. during the Huskies matchup against the Western Michigan Broncos on Feb. 11 at the NIU Convocation Center. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Huskies clinch MAC tournament berth in win over Central Michigan

By Ethan Gonzales and Zachary Bertram
February 26, 2023

Offense sputters as Huskies drop two to Penn State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 25, 2023
Senior guard Anthony Crump attempts a layup during Saturdays loss to the University of Toledo.

Ice-cold shooting hurts Huskies in loss to Ohio

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 22, 2023

Baseball drops three games to Oral Roberts in season opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 19, 2023
NIU redshirt senior guard Anthony Crump (50) drives against Ball State redshirt sophomore forward Mickey Pearson Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Huskies drop overtime thriller to Miami

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 19, 2023
Sophomore guard David Coit attempting to maneuver past CMU’s freshman guard Emil Skytta in the second half of the game on January 10, 2023 at NIU. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Undermanned Huskies drop second straight game to Ball State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 15, 2023
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving tosses the ball in the air just prior to tip-off in an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

COLUMN: Grading the NBA trades

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 10, 2023
NIU senior guard Kaleb Thornton (3) scans the court against Ohio University on Tuesday night at the NIU Convocation Center. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies’ home struggles continue, fall to Ohio

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 8, 2023
David Coit (11) shoots against Ball State sophomore forward Basheer Jihad (11) and redshirt sophomore forward Mickey Pearson Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game Jan. 28 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

NIU defeats Bowling Green for fourth straight road win

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
February 5, 2023
NIU sophomore guard David Coit (11) steps back while being defended by two Ball State University players during Saturdays game at the Convocation Center. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Ball State buries Huskies thanks to three-point parade

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
January 29, 2023
NIU sophomore guard David Coit (11) makes a three-point attempt while Kent State University redshirt senior guard Sincere Carry (3) defends during Tuesdays night Mid-American Conference basketball matchup at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies upset the Golden Flashes 86-76. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies strike down Kent State with three-point mania

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
January 24, 2023
Pitcher Johnny Cueto speaks with the news media after signing a contract with the Miami Marlins baseball team, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, in Miami. Cueto signed a one-year contract with the Marlins with a club option for 2024. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

COLUMN: MLB teams should have a salary cap

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
January 20, 2023
NIU sophomore guard David Coit attempts a three-point jump shot over Miami University senior forward Anderson Mirambeaux in the second half of NIUs 81-77 win Tuesday. (Jake Ruffer | The Miami Student)

Timely free throws ward off RedHawks comeback

By Skyler Kisellus and Zachary Bertram
January 17, 2023

‘Women, Life and Freedom’ to discuss women’s struggle for freedom in Iran

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 29, 2022
NIU provost Beth Ingram steps down from her role while the universitys new CFO George Middlemist arrives in January

NIU gains new CFO, provost to step down

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 20, 2022
Students can practice their communication and networking skills at this event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

NIU to host a networking night for students

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 15, 2022
Voters arrived at polling locations all throughout DeKalb on Tuesday morning, such as the polling place First United Methodist Church standing against the blue sky behind. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

DeKalb voters react morning of 2022 midterm elections

By Joseph Howerton and Zachary Bertram
November 8, 2022
This will be the second discussion in the alumni speaker series this fall that the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has featured.

NIU alum gives discussion on health care

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 4, 2022
Betsy Byrd (right) and Julie Hurt, employees at Riverside Mobil in Sycamore, after selling a $1 million winning Powerball ticket for the Wednesday, Oct. 26 draw.

Winning Powerball ticket of $1 million ticket sold in Sycamore

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
November 1, 2022
This will be the 25th annual Spooktacular consisting of a free movie, trick-or-treating and more.

25th annual ‘Spooktacular’ to be held downtown DeKalb

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 25, 2022
Youth voters have increased in recent years, according to a study from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

Youth voters on steady rise ahead of 2022 midterm elections

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 19, 2022
Peppermint is looking for her forever home and is available for adoption at Tails Humane Society.

Tails Pet of the Week: Peppermint

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 18, 2022
A flu shot clinic in the Duke Ellington Ballroom will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

NIU, DeKalb County Health Department to host second flu vaccine clinic

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 11, 2022
The annual clery report highlights the crime statistics for the 2021-2022 academic year at NIU and provides information regarding safety and security for the 2022-23 academic year.

2022 Clery report shows increase in criminal offenses on campus

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 3, 2022
2021 was the year of Huskie Football. We took home the MAC 2021 Championship trophy after snatching a 41-23 victory over Kent State.

‘Bigger and better’: NIU kicks off 115th homecoming

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
October 2, 2022
News Reporter Zachary Bertram explores the effectiveness and importance of college rankings.

Students doubt importance of college rankings

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 23, 2022
NIUs new CFO has years of experience in education finance, according to the boards meeting report on Nov. 10, 2022.

Some student workers aren’t getting paid on time, according to NIU

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter
September 14, 2022
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Northern Star

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. and is a limited public forum whose content is determined exclusively by its student editors. Information presented on this website and in its print products is not controlled by NIU administration, faculty or staff. The Star publishes online at northernstar.info and sends out its TLDR newsletter Monday through Friday.

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The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

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Northern Star

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

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