April 17, 2009

DEKALB, Ill. - In conjunction with the 2009 Spring Football Preview, the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund's Third Annual Tailgate Showdown will be held Saturday, April 25 prior to the organized practice. The Tailgate Showdown, a competition to determine the best Huskie tailgate team, kicks off at 11 a.m., on the west side of Huskie Stadium, and will close just before kickoff of the Spring Game at 1 p.m.

The Tailgate Showdown will feature 18 teams of cooks, which is double the amount of participation from 2008. Fans will be able to sample the tailgating recipes and food samples, and then vote for their favorites in several categories, including the Best Huskie Cook, Best Huskie Spirit, Best Huskie Tailgaters and Best Huskie Professional Cook. The Best Huskie Professional Cook award is new this year, and is the only honor that a business participant is eligible to receive.

All proceeds from the Tailgate Showdown benefit the HASF, the primary direct support organization for NIU Athletics. The organization provides all 17 NIU sports and its student-athletes with the resources to enable them to be successful, and give them a world-class college athletic experience.

Admission to the event is $10. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted at the door. For more information, or to pre-pay, contact Assistant Director of Development Carly Newlands at 815-753-1923.

Admission to the ensuing Spring Football Preview is free. 2009 season tickets will be available for just $90 for six exciting games at Huskie Stadium, while faculty and staff, senior citizens and varsity club members can purchase season tickets for just $78 each.