Aug. 25, 2015

DeKALB, Ill. -- Split end John Spilis, who helped set the table for Northern Illinois University's entry into the NCAA Division I (now Football Bowl Subdivision) ranks as one of the greatest Huskies of his era, is No. 9 on the Top 10 Countdown of the 50 Greatest Players in Huskie Stadium history, presented by Compass Mortgage.

NIU announced the first 40 players on the 50 Greatest Players list in random order daily this summer before counting down the Top 10 in reverse order from August 24 through September 4, the day before NIU opens the 2015 football campaign at home versus UNLV. The Top 10 Countdown began with wide receiver Justin McCareins (1997-2000). The Huskies will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Huskie Stadium throughout the 2015 season with special ticket pricing, 1965 Throwback Uniforms for the first game and more.

Spilis, a South Holland, Illinois and Thornridge High School product who led NIU in both receiving in scoring in 1967 and 1968, finished his career with 138 catches for 1,815 yards and a then-NIU record 22 touchdown catches from 1966-68. He was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984 and in 1999, he was named one of the five best players in the first century of Huskie Football.

Entering his senior season, the official biography of the player pegged as a "Northern Star" included this description of the 6-4, 217-pound split end.

"Fastest man on squad and a great pro prospect. Has tremendous hands for snaring passes anywhere near him. Once he gets ball, is able to run with intelligence. Possesses fine moves, which propel him into an open spot. Has flare for catching ball in a crowd."

Head Coach Howard Fletcher said of Spilis in that same write-up, "He's the kind of boy we want in the game. He has all of the characteristics of Notre Dame's great end Jim Seymour."

Spilis' career also was remarkable for its consistency. He caught 46 passes in each of his three active seasons with the Huskies, making 46 catches for 620 yards and five scores in 1967 and catching 46 passes for 629 yards and 10 scores his senior year. He led NIU in all-purpose yards as a senior when he also returned 24 kickoffs for 690 yards (a 28.8-yard average) and two scores. When NIU upset Bowling Green to record the school's first victory over a Division I-A team in 1968, it was Spilis' 97-yard kickoff return touchdown of the opening kickoff that gave the Huskies the 7-6 win. He also scored on a 90-yard kickoff return versus North Dakota State that season and still shares the Huskies' record for kickoff return scores in a season.

In the season's final game versus No. 16 Ohio, Spilis caught two touchdown passes on a leg that was later determined to be broken, forcing him to miss the post-season All-American Bowl. The injury did not prevent Spilis from becoming the highest NFL draft choice in Huskie history at the time when he was selected in the third round with the 64th overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1969. He played five seasons in the NFL, catching 27 passes for 446 yards in three seasons with the Packers (1969-71). He also spent time on the rosters of the Chicago Bears (1972) and Washington Redskins (1973).

The 50 Greatest Players, including the Top 10 in order, were selected by vote of a 13-member committee of current and former staff members, NIU's long-time radio broadcast team, Huskie Hall of Famers like George Bork and Joe Novak and individuals whose affiliation with the NIU football program collectively dates back hundreds of years. In order to qualify to be considered, players must have competed in Huskie Stadium, which opened Nov. 6, 1965.

See the entire list, with bios, here.

Each of the living 50 Greatest Players has been invited to return to Huskie Stadium for a game of their choice this season, at which time they will be honored on the field as "Huskie Legends".

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Huskie Stadium, NIU is offering special $19.65 ticket pricing, presented by Hy-Vee, for all Huskie home football games this year. Purchase tickets in section A and G on the West Side of Huskie Stadium online for $19.65 each. These tickets are available for purchase at this special price online only by using the promo code "1965". CLICK HERE to order now or go to NIUHuskies.com/tickets.

The Huskie team will wear 1965 Throwback uniforms for its 2015 season opening game versus UNLV on Sept. 5 at Huskie Stadium. The uniforms, including the helmet decals, jerseys and socks, replicate those worn by the 1965 NIU squad that posted a perfect 9-0 regular season record. More than 20 members of the 1965 team will hold a 50-Year Reunion on Sept. 4-5 and will be honored during the NIU-UNLV game. The Throwback jerseys will be auctioned off on the Huskies' official athletics website at NIUHuskies.com.

NIU Football 2015 season tickets are still on sale and remain the best value in Chicagoland. 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 or to purchase mini-plans, the Family Pack or single game tickets, go online anytime to NIUHuskies.com/tickets or call 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

-- NIU --

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