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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 redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) takes a snap during 11-on-11 drills in NIU’s Spring Showcase on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Holst, who started three games in 2024, has been NIU’s presumed starting quarterback during spring practices. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Offense shines at NIU football’s spring showcase

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 27, 2025

DeKALB – The NIU football team hosted its annual spring showcase Saturday, giving the Huskie fanbase its first look at the team’s new-look lineups. After opening the practice with warm-ups and position drills, the Huskies spent most of the day...

A fall 1993 edition of the Northern Star pictures NIU Athletics Hall of Famer LeShon Johnson running up the field. Johnson was charged for violating the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act after 190 dogs were seized from his Oklahoma property in October. (Northern Star Archives)

Former NIU star running back faces federal charges in dog fighting case

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | March 27, 2025

Last October, federal law enforcement rescued 190 dogs from the Oklahoma residence of Johnson, leading to what is thought to be the largest dog fighting case from a single person in U.S. history.  First arrested on March 20, the NIU alumnus was charged...

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (left) and redshirt junior quarterback Jalen Macon drop back to pass during NIU’s first spring football practice on Thursday inside the Chessick Practice Center in DeKalb. Holst and Macon are two of the top contenders to be the Huskies’ starting quarterback in 2025. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

3 takeaways from NIU football’s first spring practice

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 27, 2025

NIU football kicked off its 15-practice spring schedule Thursday morning with a nearly two-hour session inside the Chessick Practice Center. The practice was open to the media and featured familiar and fresh faces on the roster and coaching staff.  As...

NIU football players celebrate after a participant knocks down a tackling dummy during the Field of Dreams event Tuesday morning at Huskie Stadium. The event was hosted by the Beautiful Lives Organization, which creates custom events to promote inclusion for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

NIU, Beautiful Lives Project team up for football field day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 18, 2025

DeKALB — NIU football players and local community members gathered Tuesday morning at Huskie Stadium’s Brigham Field for a common purpose: the Field of Dreams. Not to be mistaken for the 1989 sports film starring Kevin Costner, the Field of Dreams...

Redshirt senior tight end Tristen Tewes (left) engages with a blocking pad held by redshirt senior offensive lineman J.J. Lippe during NIU's Pro Day on Wednesday inside the Chessick Practice Center. Tewes and Lippe were two of the 17 Huskies to work out in front of NFL scouts. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies showcase talents for NFL scouts at Pro Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 18, 2025

DeKALB — On the same day NIU students resumed classes after a week-long spring break, representatives from 22 NFL teams converged upon DeKalb to watch the school’s latest class of draft prospects put their skills on display. NIU hosted its annual...

Former linebacker Tyler Jackson runs the three-cone drill during NIU’s annual Pro Day on March 7, 2024, inside the Chessick Practice Center. The school will hold its next Pro Day on Monday, with 18 total players expected to attend. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU to host Pro Day for draft hopefuls

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 15, 2025

DeKALB – NIU will host its annual Pro Day on Monday, giving its band of draft-eligible players a chance to showcase their skills in front of an audience of professional scouts. Players will first undergo testing in the Northwestern Medicine Sports...

NIU football players run onto the field ahead of their non-conference game against North Carolina State University on Sept. 28 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. On Wednesday, NIU released its football schedule for the 2025 season, which will be its last in the Mid-American Conference. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

MAC farewell tour: NIU unveils 2025 football schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 5, 2025

DeKALB – With its final season in the Mid-American Conference on the horizon, NIU released its 2025 football schedule Wednesday, which features matchups with two Power Four opponents and both of last season’s MAC championship contenders. NIU, who...

NIU President Lisa Freeman (left), Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier and head football coach Thomas Hammock speak to the media during a Jan. 7 press conference announcing NIU football will join the Mountain West Conference in 2026. The move marks the second time in school history that NIU will leave the Mid-American Conference. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

KISELLUS: NIU’s Mountain West move isn’t 1980s déjà vu

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 13, 2025

Once upon a time, NIU made the daring decision to leave the confines of the Mid-American Conference and venture out into the great unknown of independence. What followed was an embarrassing saga that eventually brought the Huskies back to where they started. Four...

Members of the NIU football team gather in the huddle during the 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU signed four football players on National Signing Day on Wednesday, putting the Huskies’ 2025 recruiting class at 24 signees. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU football adds 4 on National Signing Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 6, 2025

DeKALB – After signing 20 freshmen during the Early Signing Period in December, NIU football wasn’t nearly as busy on National Signing Day on Wednesday, welcoming just four new faces. The Huskies added fullback Devin Habermehl, defensive tackle...

All-Star: Hey Now, You’re a Four Star

By Edison Miller and Skyler Kisellus | February 4, 2025

The first month of 2025 is officially in the books, ending what turned out to be a kind month for two members of NIU football’s early signing class. Tight end Caleb Haack and safety James Finley IV were upgraded to four-star status on 247Sports in...

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin chases down Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy as Worthy reaches the endzone in the AFC Championship on Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri. Sports editor Edison Miller discusses why he believes all football players should wear protective covers over their helmet. (Ashley Landis | Associated Press)

MILLER: All football players should wear protective caps

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | January 27, 2025

Football is a barbaric sport built on toughness, but at what cost?  Introduced to National Football League fans in 2020 and implemented in 2024, Guardian Caps have become a polarizing topic among spectators. While some fans believe the caps are ruining...

John Acardo, senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer, speaks during the Faculty Senate meeting on Nov. 21. The faculty senate discussed concerns around budget implementation and NIU’s commitment to its international students at the last meeting of the semester on Wednesday.
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Faculty senate raises questions about NIU football’s move to Mountain West

By Joseph Ndu | January 23, 2025

DeKALB - At the first Faculty Senate meeting of the year, faculty expressed concern about the benefit of moving football conferences and voiced frustrations about athletic team hires during their own hiring freeze. FACULTY HIRING CONCERNS Therese...

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