Aug. 5, 2015
NIUHuskies.com will provide complete coverage of the 2015 NIU Football Training Camp. Fans can click on 2015 Camp Central for daily updates, position previews, video interviews and more. Also watch for coverage on Twitter (@NIUAthletics), Instagram (niuhuskies), YouTube (niuhuskiesdotcom) and Facebook (NIU Huskies).
DeKALB, Ill. – The defending Mid-American Conference Champion Northern Illinois University Huskies officially opened their 2015 preseason training camp Wednesday at Huskie Stadium. One month away from the 2015 season opener versus UNLV at Huskie Stadium on September 5, third-year head coach Rod Carey welcomed 47 returning letterwinners and 16 returning starters, along with 36 newcomers, to the preseason.
"It's a good day, it's reporting day so the guys are coming through," Carey said. "This day 10 years ago was like the start, but now it's a gradual build from the time they start summer school 'til today. We've seen these guys all summer. It's a good day; it's the next step; it's the deep breath before you start."
One of the nation’s winningest team over the last five years, NIU Football’s theme for the year is “ONE Way, The Hard Way.” The letters in the word one stand for “Only Now Exists” representing the team’s complete focus on the task at hand in that moment – whether in practice, in a meeting, working out or in class. The team will use the hashtags ONEWay and TheHardWay throughout the year.
Wednesday began early for the Huskies, who reported to the field at 7:15 a.m. for photos, including the position groups, individual head shot and posed photos. The 13 Huskie seniors gathered for a group photo with Carey before heading into Huskie Stadium for the football program cover shoot with NIU photographer Scott Walstrom.
A few hours later, approximately 20 members of the team made their way back to the field for the team’s Annual DeKalb Media Day where reporters from three Rockford television stations, the DeKalb Daily Chronicle, Chicago Tribune and the Aurora Beacon-News were among those in attendance for the gathering.
After lunch, the media heard from Carey as well as soccer coaches John Ross (women) and Eric Luzzi (men), who previewed their upcoming seasons and took questions from the media. View the video of Carey’s press conference now and the soccer press conferences on Thursday on NIUHuskies.com.
In the afternoon, the 2015 Huskies reported back to the Yordon Center for a series of preseason meetings with various support staff groups and special guests, including Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier, while also enjoying their first team dinner of camp.
NIU, which has won three of the last four MAC titles, takes the field for practice for the first time Thursday at 3:40 p.m. and are scheduled to be on the field at the same time Friday and Saturday. The remaining practice times will be available soon at Training Camp Central.
NIU Football 2015 season tickets 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.
Single game tickets, including a special 50th Anniversary ticket special available online only by using the promo code “1965” and presented by Hy-Vee, are also on sale now. The 50th Anniversary promotion offers tickets in section A and G on the West Side of Huskie Stadium for $19.65 each. These tickets must be ordered online. CLICK HERE
To become an NIU season ticket holder or to purchase mini-plans, the Family Pack or single game tickets, go online anytime to huskieathleticfund.com.
-- NIU --
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
