April 13, 2010
DEKALB, Ill. - To wrap up spring practice and look forward to another exciting Huskie football campaign, the Northern Illinois department of intercollegiate athletics will be teaming up with the Inter-Fraternity Council and the NIU Student Alumni Association for the 2010 Spring Homecoming on Saturday, April 24.
The Huskie Athletic Support Fund's (HASF) Fourth Annual Tailgate Showdown will be held at 11 a.m., and be preceded by the TUGS Championship Match, sponsored by the IFC. The Tailgate Showdown features numerous teams of cooks, competing to determine the best tailgaters around Huskie Stadium. The Grad Bash will wrap up the day's activities.
A tradition dating back to the 1960s, TUGS is "tug-of-war, with trenches." Team members in the trenches work together by applying simultaneous force against the trenches to slowly take the rope from the other team. For the first time ever, this year's trenches will be dug into the tailgate grounds east of Huskie Stadium, beginning at 10 a.m.
As has become the tradition with the Tailgate Showdown, 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.
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 showdown is $10 for adults and $5 for youth 12-and-under. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted at the door. For more information, contact the Director of Marketing Amanda Benzine at (815) 753-0639. Admission to the ensuing Spring Football Preview, scheduled for 1 p.m., is free.
The Grad Bash, beginning at 5 p.m. on the east side of Huskie Stadium, rounds out the day's events, featuring music by "Mike & Joe" and refreshments from Chicago's own Goose Island Beer Co. This event is hosted by the Student Alumni Association and the NIU Alumni Association.
2010 Huskie football season tickets will be available for just $85 for five exciting games at Huskie Stadium, while faculty and staff, senior citizens and varsity club members can purchase season tickets for just $74 each.
