July 30, 2015

Photo Gallery

DeKALB - For the third consecutive fall, Northern Illinois University and the City of DeKalb have partnered to display window clings at DeKalb businesses featuring the NIU football program. NIU President Dr. Douglas Baker, NIU Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier and DeKalb Mayor John Rey, along with Huskie football legend Ron Christian and 2014 Homecoming Honorary Captain Don Schoo, unveiled the first of the new clings on Thursday morning at Chilton’s Sporting Goods and Lincoln Inn in downtown DeKalb.

“I’m delighted that our merchants in DeKalb embrace the initiative and showcase NIU and our community to visitors,” Mayor Rey said. “I want to thank NIU for helping us with this publicity. It encourages everyone to enjoy downtown DeKalb but viewing the different window clings that we will have in the downtown area.

The window initiative began in 2013 with clings in 10 different locations and was succeeded by 22 images at 18 different locations in 2014. This year, 23 pictures will be displayed at 16 different locations around DeKalb.

“I want to thank Rick Cerrone for his work putting this together. This is a great example of what the Mayor and I like to call “Communiversity.” Downtown DeKalb is a critically important to the University; it’s vibrant, it’s important and it’s wonderful to see this celebration of NIU and the celebration of Huskie Stadium after 50 years,” President Baker said. “This is important for our status as a university and important for visitors like Mayor Rey said because it gives (them) a sense of place and sense of pride in our home community,” Baker added.

“This is a fantastic collaboration between NIU and the city of DeKalb. I have three children who all go to school here, a beautiful wife and DeKalb is a great place to live. I’m really proud to say I’m a member of this community,” Frazier said. “I’m excited about what these represent and all that is going on in NIU Athletics. This is a kicking off of sorts with all our fall sports about to begin as we honor tradition and history. Tradition doesn’t graduate and that’s very true at NIU.”

The theme of this year’s display is the 50th Anniversary of Huskie Stadium, which hosted its first game on Nov. 6, 1965 when the Huskies defeated Illinois State on Homecoming, 48-6. This year’s clings will feature players and moments across all eras of Huskie Stadium. The first images unveiled at Chilton’s Sporting Goods featured NIU Hall of Fame wide receiver John Spilis (1966-68) and defensive end Larry English (2004-08), both whom were NIU’s highest NFL Draft picks until Jimmie Ward in 2014. Ward will be showcased at neighboring O’Leary’s Restaurant and Pub.

Also included in the ceremony was Schoo, a former sergeant in the DeKalb Police Department and World War II veteran, who was the honorary captain of NIU’s 108th Homecoming game in 2014. Schoo’ unveiled a window cling in front of The Lincoln Inn. Schoo served in five different campaigns in Europe as he survivor of D-Day, the relief in Bastogne, the Battle of the Bulge and campaigns in Central Europe and Northern France.

Christian, who was a co-captain of the 1965 team, will have a window cling in his honor displayed at the NIU Police Department on Lincoln Highway. Christian is a member of the NIU Hall of Fame as a member of the 1963 football team.

NIU opens its 2015 season on Sept. 5 in Huskie Stadium versus UNLV. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. The game is the first of six home contests for the 2015 Huskies, who will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Huskie Stadium throughout the year. The Huskies will also play host to Murray State (Sept. 12), Ball State (Oct. 10), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 24), Western Michigan (Nov. 18) and Ohio (Nov. 24).

It’s not too late to purchase NIU Football 2015 season tickets either! Season ticket prices begin for as little as $99, a 61 percent discount off the single game price. Other ticket options include two different three-game mini-plans for just $75, the new Huskie Family Pack, which includes four season tickets in sections A, B, F or G of Huskie Stadium for just $299 or the Young Alumni Ticket, with two East Side season tickets for $115 for all 2014-15 NIU graduates. Faculty and staff, senior citizens (62 and over) and NIU Alumni Association members can purchase season tickets for just $115.

To become an NIU season ticket holder and enjoy the best college football at the best value in Chicagoland six times this fall, go online now to NIUHuskies.com/tickets or call 815-753-PACK (7225). Or check out the premium areas available for 2015, including bench back seating, the Coaches’ Club or the new End Zone Club. For more information, go to huskieathleticfund.com.

MERCHANTS IN DeKALB DISPLAYING WINDOW CLINGS

Brown Law Offices 301 E. Lincoln Highway	Chilton’s Sporting Goods     248 E. Lincoln Highway
Feed ‘em Soup 251 E. Lincoln Highway	Lincoln Inn 240 E. Lincoln Highway
Hometown Sports Grill     241 E. Lincoln Highway	Eduardo’s     206 E. Lincoln Highway
Diamond Tour Golf 203 E. Lincoln Highway	Chamber of Commerce     164 E. Lincoln Highway
Van Orthopedic      123 E. Lincoln Highway	Dugout Smoke Shop 206 E. Lincoln Highway
Munson Insurance 328 E. Lincoln Highway	(Former Ducky’s) 112 E. Lincoln Highway
O’Leary’s 260 E. Lincoln Highway	DeKalb Municipal Building 200 S. Fourth Street
Ducky’s 250 E. Lincoln Highway	DeKalb Police Headquarters 700 W. Lincoln Highway