Oct. 16, 2006

    DeKALB, IL --- As part ot its historic 100th Homecoming observance this month, not only will Northern Illinois University Intercollegiate Athletics enshrine three individuals into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday (October 20), but the program will also celebrate its First Century with a once-in-a-lifetime Centennial Hall of Fame extravaganza.

    In conjunction with the City of DeKalb's Sesquicentennnial (1856-2006), NIU's Centennial Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be the ultimate Cardinal and Black event, a veritable "Who's Who" of Huskie athletics featuring some of the best individuals and team members since the Hall of Fame's charter class in 1978.

    These Hall of Fame legends need no introduction.  Kenny Battle.  Tom Beck.  George Bork.  Bob Brigham.  Adam Dach.  Jack Dean.  Hubert Dunn.  Ruth Fender.  Lew Flinn.  Lori Fuglestad.  Bob Heimerdinger.  Floyd Hunsberger.  Doug Kieso.  Chuck Kittleson.  Ollie Krahenbuhl.  Al Kranz.  Neal MacDonald.  John McDougal.  Jim McKinzie.  Bill Minnihan.  John Peterson.  Jack Pheanis.  Jim Smith.  Bob Soltis.  Francis Stroup.  Bill Terwilliger.  George Tyms.  Tim Tyrrell.  Donald Whiteside.  Bobby Wood.   These are some of the early Hall of Fame RSVPs for Northern Illinois' 100th Homecoming.

    As usual, the formal Hall of Fame Induction Banquet ceremonies---presented by Resource Bank---will take place Friday evening at the Duke Ellington Ballroom in NIU's Holmes Student Center on campus, Huskie Director of Athletics Jim Phillips announced.  The night begins with the reception at 6 p.m. (CDT), followed by the Hall of Fame Roll Call at 7 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m., and the induction program at 8:30 p.m.

    The 2006 induction class---the 25th since the inception of the Northern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978---includes Laurie Miller (softball in 1982-85), Jarod Schroeder (swimming in 1991-95), and Hollis Thomas (football in 1992-95).  This Huskie trio includes one of the greatest softball mound strikeout artists in school history, a swimming qualifier in the Olympic Trials, Goodwill Games, and Pan Am Games, plus an 11-year National Football League veteran, an All-Pro rookie, and Super Bowl participant.

    "Heartiest congratulations not only go out to our new Hall of Fame inductees, but our past ones as well," Phillips said.  "These are the teams and individuals that laid the foundation for Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Athletics in our First Century.  To be sure, all these accomplishments are truly amazing.  These Hall of Famers certainly are the role models for our current student-athletes in our Second Century.  There is no better time to acknowledge these past Hall of Famers than on our 100th Homecoming.  Sincere appreciation to our Selection Committee, as well, since the new induction class is outstanding once again."

    These "old" and "new" NIU Hall of Famers will also be honored in the annual Homecoming parade that steps off from downtown DeKalb at 9 a.m. on Saturday (October 21).  The three HOF newcomers will be feted at halftime of the Northern Illinois-Temple University football game on Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  Kickoff for the NIU-Temple contest is 2:05
p.m.  Including the 2006 induction class, the all-time Northern Illinois Hall of Fame roster now includes 171 individuals and 11 teams. 

    Northern Illinois can brag about establishing the longest-running major-college Homecoming tradition in the state, plus one of the oldest---not only in the Midwest---but in the nation.  Its origin dates back to a Huskie alumni football game on October 10, 1903, when the Northern Illinois State Normal School varsity blanked the alums, 6-0.  The institution's first formal Homecoming happened on the weekend of October 12-13, 1906, the same time that the term "Homecoming" was used in the then monthly student newspaper.  The first 11 Northern Illinois Homecoming football games were against alumni teams.

    Fans, friends, family, NIU alumni, and the general public are invited to attend the Centennial Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Banquet proceedings.  Tickets for the banquet cost $40 apiece.  Guests have the choice of either a beef, chicken, or vegetarian dinner.  To RSVP for the dinner, please contact NIU Athletics Development in the Convocation Centeer or via telephone at (AC 815) 753-1923.

    For the 21st consecutive year, Bill Baker---the voice of Northern Illinois football and basketball on the Huskie Radio Network since 1980---will serve as the banquet emcee.

    This year's Hall of Fame Selection Committee included NIU Sports Information Director Emeritus Mike Korcek as chair, plus Cliff Bottigliero, Bill Finucane, Andrea Hein, Glen Krupica, Donna Martin, Chuck Morgan, Don Shields, and Donald Whiteside.  Finucane, Korcek, Martin, and Whiteside are previous Northern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

    The process for the 2007 induction class starts next spring.  To nominate a deserving individuals (student-athlete, coach, administrator, etc.) or team for future NIU Athletics Hall of Fame consideration, please contact Korcek via telephone (AC 815) 753-9559, via mail (SID Emeritis, Convocation Center, NIU, 1525 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL
60115), or via e-mail at .

    With the Centennial Hall of Fame observance and festivities this year, the "Class of 2006" was limited to three ex-Northern Illinois all-star student-athletes by the Selection Committee.

    LAURIE MILLER, Softball, Pitcher-Designated Hitter (1982-85) / Rockford (Jefferson) --- The Ace.  The creator of "Miller Time."  Intimidating righthanded power pitcher with GPS location, 4-to-1 career strikeout / bases-on-ball ratio (513-to-126) and school-record (0.89) career ERA.  Nicknamed the "strikeout queen of Northern Illinois softball."  "Physically and psychologically, Laurie had the ability to create a `nobody scores on us' mindset," said former Huskie head softball coach Dee Abrahamson.  "When she got in her zone, her ball always went where she wanted it."  Became program's first 500 career "K" artist with first-inning strikeout vs. Ball State (May 3, 1985).  Produced a 40-31-1 won-lost-tie career mound record that included 51 complete games in 72 starts, 24 shutouts, three no-hitters, one perfect game, four one-hitters, and three saves in four campaigns.  Graduated with eight major school records---(1) career victories (40), (2) career ERA (0.89), (3) career no-hitters (3), (4) career shutouts (24), (5) career strikeouts (513), (6) single-season ERA (0.37 in 1984), (7) single-season strikeouts (187 in 1984), and (8) single-game strikeouts (20 vs. Toledo on April 8, 1984).  Led Northern Illinois in ERA for three seasons (0.55 in 1982, 0.37 in 1984, and 0.63 in 1985), plus pitching wins (12 in 1984) and batting average (.273 in 1983).  Selected team MVP and coaches' First-Team All-Mid-American Conference as senior (1985).  Registered perfect game by facing minimum 21 batters and fanning 12 in 5-0 triumph vs. DePaul (April 6, 1984).  Threw 11-inning no-hitter and struck out 13 in 1-0 triumph vs. Miami (OH) (April 29, 1983).  Went first five innings and combined with Phyllis Massaro on 6-0, seven-inning no-hitter vs. Ohio (April 20, 1985).  Earned first career MAC Player of the Week honor with 4-1 mark on mound, 51 strikeouts, and .333 batting average (7-of-21) (April 18, 1984).  Won second Mid-Am Player of the Week accolade with weekend sweep---including combined no-hitter---vs. Ohio (April 22, 1985).  Pitched 21 consecutive shutout innings with 1-0 one-hit triumph vs. Central Michigan (April 26, 1985), plus 1-0 one-hit victory and 4-0 three-hit success vs. Eastern Michigan (April 27, 1985).  Whiffed then NIU-record 17 batters in 4-1 win vs. No. 7-rated Northwestern (May 1, 1984).  Three-time all-league softball pick and two-time team MVP at Jefferson High.

    JAROD SCHROEDER (Pronunciation:  SHRAY-der). Swimming, Sprinter (1991-95) / Morrison --- Rose from Northern Illinois walk-on with no prep swimming experience to national and international stage.  Selected co-captain of United States National Team by peers and won two Silver Medals on 400-meter medley and 400-meter freestyle relay units at Pan-Am Games (1999).  Competed in Goodwill Games (1998) and participated at three U. S. Olympic Trials (1996, 2000, 2004).  Finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly three times at the U. S. Senior Nationals (1997-98) and made the U. S. squad for Goodwill Games (1998).  Wound up third in 100 butterfly at U. S. Open (1999).  Trained with U. S. National Residence Team at Colorado Springs, CO, for three years (1998-2000).  Placed fourth in 50-meter freestyle (:23.14) at U. S. Open (1993) and finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly at U. S. National Championships (1998).  "Three-peat" Conference Swimmer of the Year (Mid-Continent in 1992-93 and 1993-94, plus Midwestern Collegiate in 1994-95 as a senior for head coach Jeanne Fleck).  Captured seven career individual league championships---Mid-Con (1) 50-yard freestyle (NIU-record :20.81 time) and (2) 100-yard butterfly (NIU-record :49.60) in 1993, Mid-Con (3) 50-yard freestyle (NIU and league-record :20.22), (4) 100-yard freestyle (NIU-record :44.60), and (5) 100-yard butterfly (league-record :49.13) in 1994, plus Midwestern Collegiate (6) 100-yard freestyle and (7) 100-yard buttefly (NIU-record  :49.12) in 1995.  Graduated with at least 11 Northern Illinois marks (50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke, and five relays).  Voted team Rookie of the Year (1991-92), team MVP (1992-93, 1993-94, and 1994-95), and team co-captain (1994-95).  Produced 53 career first-place finishes in dual-meet competition (one as frosh, 15 as soph, 14 as junior, and 23 as senior).  Voted on CoSIDA District Five All-Academic squad three times (1992-95).  Named University Division Male Swimmer of the Year by Illinois Swimming Association (1993-94 and 1994-95).  Served as aide at Wisconsin (1996-97), NIU (1997-98), Northwestern (2000-06), and Maryland (2006-07).  Headed New Trier Swim Club (2002-06) and named Illinois Age Group Coach of the Year (2004, 2005). Prepped at Morrison High School.   

    HOLLIS THOMAS, Football, Nose Guard (1992-95) --- All-Northern Illinois Success Story.  Went from underrated and undrafted free agent to National Football League Rookie All-Pro, Super Bowl participant, and 11-year NFL career---thanks to eye-catching video highlight reel produced by NIU Media Services.  Acquired by New Orleans Saints this spring (April 30, 2006).  Played 10 NFL campaigns with Philadelphia Eagles (1996-2005), made Football News All-Rookie squad (1996), and participated in Super Bowl XXXIX in 24-21 setback vs. the New England Patriots (February 6, 2005).  Nicknamed "Tank" and carries NFL reputation as low-center-of-gravity run-stuffer.  Produced 551 tacckles, 95 starts, 13.5 QB sacks, 10 pass deflections, eight fumble-cause hits, and six fumble recoveries in 126 career appearances prior to 2006.  Named recipient of NFL Bert Bell Award (December 13, 2005) for dedication and involvement within the community.  Established the Hollis Thomas Foundation (2001)---a non-profit organization that promotes leadership, literacy, health education, charity, and scholarship programs for youth in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Houston, and St. Louis.  Honored on Northern Illinois All-Century Team (1999).  Completed Huskie tenure with 202 career tackles, 31 stops for 91 yards in losses, 31 starts, and six double-digit tackle outings in 32 appearances (1992-95).  Lettered in final three years.  Named to Football News and coaches' First-Team All-Big West Conference units and team co-captain as senior for head coach Charlie Sadler (1995).  Started 11 times and finished No. 2 in team tackles for loss (11 for 26 yards) and No. 3 in overall stops (75) in final year.  Collected career-high 11 tackles vs. Southern Mississippi (August 31, 1995).  Made Second-Team All-Big West as junior.  Wound up No. 1 (tie) in team tackles for loss (13 for 39 yards), No. 3 in overall stops (69), and No. 3 in fumble-cause hits (2) (1994).  Won first letter with 10 starts at nose guard, seven tackles for 26 yards in losses, and 57 overall stops as soph (1993).  Played four games as true frosh prior to season-ending knee sprain (1992).  The man with two high schools.  Graduated from St. Louis Math & Science---which did not sponsor football.  Allowed to play football at Sumner.  Starred on back-to-back Missouri Class 4A football kingpins (1990-91).

(For further information, please contact Mike Korcek-SID Emeritus at 815-753-9559)                   

  -NIU-