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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU Students and DeKalb residents huddle around a fire while making s’mores during the
Huskies S’mores N’ more event hosted by Student Involvement on Friday outside in MLK
Commons. The event was from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and included karaoke, s’mores, hot chocolate,
Mission III, minigolf and more activities for students and residents. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern
Star)

S’mores N’more: Treats and warm connections

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Writer | October 4, 2025

In the midst of an abnormally sweltering start to the month of October, NIU’s academic advisors invited students to enjoy the remaining Homecoming festivities with flames and sweet treats. Organized by Student Involvement, the S’mores N'more event...

Singer Coi Leray performs on stage on Thursday at the Egyptian Theater, 135 North Second St. Coi Leray was invited by CAB to perform for a Homecoming Concert, with the previous being Waka Flocka Flame in 2022. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Coi Leray brings high energy to Egyptian Theatre

By Sofia Didenko, Lifestyle Editor | October 3, 2025

The Egyptian Theatre is usually a place where audiences sit back for classic films and live plays, but on Friday, rapper and songwriter Coi Leray had people on their feet, leaving the seats behind.  The doors, along with the concert, opened at 7 p.m....

Participants of the Recycled Boat Race Kendall Wills (left) and Emmeline Sovinski paddle along the East Lagoon in their boat on Tuesday during the Recycled Boat Race. The Recycled Boat Race was held by the Campus Activities Board and challenged students to create a boat using only cardboard and other recyclable materials. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Recycled Boat Race swims with community

By Brynn Krug, Managing Editor | September 30, 2025

Students don’t typically swim in NIU’s East Lagoon. However, participants of the Recycled Boat Race got their fair share of time submerged in the geese ridden waters. The Campus Activities Board hosted the event Tuesday as part of NIU’s Homecoming...

Victor E. Huskie leads the NIU football team runs onto the field before its 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19, 2024, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. The Huskies are 75-32-10 all-time in their Homecoming games. (Northern Star file photo)

Revisiting Homecoming classics: Football’s greatest triumphs

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 29, 2025

For more than a century, NIU has hosted a Homecoming football game as part of the oldest college tradition in the state and one of the longest in the country. Since the inaugural contest in 1903 where NIU won 6-0, the Homecoming game hasn’t just...

El Jimador Mexican Grill, at 206 E. Lincoln Highway, joins over 30 local businesses in celebrating NIU’s 118th Homecoming as an official Homecoming Host. Homecoming Hosts offer discounts throughout the week for students. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Local businesses roll out the red and black carpet for NIU’s 118th Homecoming

By Cheryl Seguin, Lifestyle Writer | September 29, 2025

As NIU celebrates its 118th Homecoming, DeKalb’s business community is stepping up to show Huskie pride in a big way. More than 30 local businesses have signed on as official Homecoming hosts, offering exclusive discounts, special experiences and more...

Student organizations march behind a “March of the Huskies” banner during the 2024 Homecoming celebration in downtown DeKalb. The event will return in 2025 at 6 p.m. on Thursday as part of NIU’s ongoing effort to make Homecoming welcoming for everyone. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU brings on Homecoming traditions, old and new

By Cayden Wells, Lifestyle Writer | September 29, 2025

NIU has the oldest college Homecoming in Illinois, a tradition that has evolved from a student versus alumni football game into a weeklong campus-wide celebration.  While some traditions have gone, NIU is reviving its Homecoming, blending new and...

Students gather around the Victor E. Huskie statue during the 2024 Homecoming Block Party. Assistant Opinion Editor Emily Beebe argues students should show more Huskie Pride, especially during Homecoming week. (Northern Star File Photo)

Students, be proud to be a Huskie

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Opinion Editor | September 28, 2025

Homecoming is one of the main events of the fall semester at NIU. However, students tend to struggle with showing Huskie pride, especially at events such as football games. Sure, our team is not great, but it’s important to go and support.  With...

A graphic shows a man contemplating between two different sides: one filled with images of books and tests, the other with football and partying. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that homecoming's placement in late fall semester presents unnecessary conflicts in a college student's life. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Homecoming’s timing should change

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | November 10, 2024

Homecoming is a special date for all colleges. It is a time of celebration, where reunited fraternities and sororities meet from far away, friends celebrate and the university prepares to show off to parents why it was a good choice for their children....

Senior defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley (8) (from left) carries an NIU flag, senior fullback Brock Lampe (49) carries an American flag and redshirt senior tight end Tristen Tewes (82) carries an Illinois flag while running across the end zone to lead the team on the field on Saturday before the game against Bowling Green State University. The Huskies will return Saturday to take on the University of Toledo in the 117th Homecoming game. (Northern Star File Photo)

KISELLUS: NIU-Toledo should add to Huskies’ rich Homecoming history

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 16, 2024

DeKALB – Saturday’s gridiron matchup between the Huskies and the University of Toledo Rockets will mark NIU’s 117th Homecoming celebration. With two of the Mid-American Conference’s elite set to square off at Huskie Stadium, the matchup promises...

From left: Graduate outside hitter Katie Erdmann, junior setter Sophie Hurt, junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo, graduate student outside hitter Isabelle Percoco, junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic and sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt switch sides after winning the second set of Sept. 30's volleyball match between NIU and Miami University at Victor E. Court. The Huskies defeated the RedHawks to complete a weekend sweep of Miami. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Huskies ground Eagles, complete Homecoming sweep

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | October 13, 2023

DeKALB – NIU volleyball had plenty to celebrate on Friday night, Homecoming week series sweep to a conference leaderboard climb. The Huskies (8-12, 6-2 MAC) demolished the visiting Eastern Michigan University Eagles (2-19, 0-9 MAC) in straight sets,...

NIU women’s volleyball team waves to fans after Friday's match against Miami University (Ohio). The women’s volleyball team defeated Miami in three sets. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Volleyball defense dominates in NIU shutout of Eagles

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | October 13, 2023

DeKALB – “Monster block, monster block, monster, monster, monster block.” Those were the lyrics heard from the speakers at Victor E. Court time and time again as NIU volleyball’s front row wreaked havoc on opposing hitters during Thursday’s...

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