June 27, 2006

DeKALB, IL --- Riddle: What's Cardinal and Black and Huskie all over? Answer: How obvious. Why, it's Northern Illinois University's 11th Annual Bob Brigham Gridiron Golf Classic.

Could anybody conjure up a better Huskie event than this? A one-day, nostalgic Northern Illinois football reunion, 18 holes of golf on a great local venue, plus a delicious meal and an entertaining program. With all those attributes, you can see why the Bob Brigham Gridiron Classic at the St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago on Friday, July 28, might rank as the can't-miss Huskie event on your 2006 summer calendar.

"Every year, our Brigham golf outing is a tremendous event," said current Northern Illinois head football coach Joe Novak who starts his 11th season at the Huskie helm. "The bottom line is that it's great fun. It's just a fantastic way to visit with your former teammates and coaches, talk some NIU football, play some golf, and enjoy the day with old friends. We look forward to the Brigham outing every July. It's a super kickoff for the upcoming season for every ex-player and fan."

During the previous 10 Brigham Gridiron Classics, such all-time Northern Illinois football greats as Doug Bartlett, Dale Berman, George Bork, Cary Caliendo, Randy Clark, Adam Dach, Jim Faggetti, Bob Gregolunas, Bob Heimerdinger, Mark Kellar, Scott Kellar, Rich Marks, Dave Petzke, Allen Ross, Tim Tyrrell, Jeff Sanders, Mike Terna, Brett Tucker, Clarence Vaughn, Ernie Wickstrom, plus past head coaches as the late Howard Fletcher, Jerry Ippoliti, Pat Culpepper, Bill Mallory, and Jerry Pettibone have participated.

To date, Culpepper, Ippoliti, and Mallory are confirmed RSVPs for the 2006 outing. The event roster is a virtual "Huskie Who's Who." And, now---more than ever---the Brigham event is open to the Joe Average fan or alum. For the first time, the field has been expanded to both courses at St. Andrews and the first 316 golfers. Rub elbows with the boys.

The proceedings begin with registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. (CDT). The four-man scramble format tees off at 8:30 a.m. A barbeque dinner and reception is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. All this Northern Illinois football ambiance (golf---including cart, a special gift, plus hole prizes) only costs between $175 and $250. For Huskie football alumni, the cost is $175. For non-golfers, the cost of the dinner is $40. Sponsorship opportunities---such as signage on each hole or on both courses---are also available. All proceeds go to the Huskie football program.

Originated in 1996, the Brigham Classic was the brainchild of two former Northern Illinois performers---quarterback John Gibbons (1978-81) and placekicker Vince Scott (1980-83). It is, of course, named after NIU Athletics Hall of Famer Bob Brigham who starred at fullback in the late 1940s for the Cardinal and Black, plus served his alma mater as a student-athlete, coach, director of athletics, and special assistant to the president for a half century prior to his retirement in 2001. Two years later, Northern Illinois' home football facility was renamed Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in his honor.

St. Andrews Golf & Country Club is located on Illinois Route 59, just North of Illinois Route 64. To register for the 11th Bob Brigham Gridiron Classic or to inquire about the event's sponsorship opportunities, please contact the NIU Athletics Development Office at AC 815-753-1923. Payment can be made by check or credit card.

Northern Illinois opens its 12-game 2006 schedule against Big Ten Conference power Ohio State University on September 2 and also plays at the University of Iowa on October 28. NIU hosts six contests in 28,000-seat Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium---starting with the September 9 home opener and Mid-American Conference inaugural against Ohio University. In its 100th Homecoming Game, Northern Illinois will be matched against Temple University on October 21.

The Huskies, which have won four MAC West Division crowns in the last five years, will be led by senior All-America candidates Garrett Wolfe (Chicago / River Grove Holy Cross) at tailback and Doug Free (Manitowoc, WI / Lincoln) at offensive tackle.

(For further information, please contact Mike Korcek) -NIU-