DeKALB, Ill. –  Northern Illinois University capped off a successful 2017 National Signing Day with a sell-out crowd of loyal NIU football season ticket members, athletics staff and special guests at the 2017 NIU Football Signing Day Party at Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park Wednesday night.
 
After securing the signatures and official paperwork of a class of 22 recruits, including 10 from the state of Illinois, introducing the class to the media during his annual Signing Day Press Conference, and reaching a national audience through a 45-minute NIU Signing Day special on ESPN3, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey and his staff were met at Acquaviva by an enthusiastic and loyal crowd of Huskie fans.
 
As the cocktail reception at Acquaviva kicked off, supporters mingled with legendary NIU Head Coach Joe Novak and his wife Carole, Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch and new NIU football graduate assistant coach – and former 1,000-yard rusher – Cameron Stingily.  Four members of the 2016 NIU senior class - defensive lineman Corey Thomas, offensive lineman Josh Ruka, linebacker Sean Folliard and defensive end Ladell Fleming – added to the festive atmosphere and were themselves excited for the chance to meet Coach Novak and to see the video highlights of their successors in Cardinal and Black.
 
In addition to celebrating the newest Huskies, the Signing Day Party served as the kickoff to the 2017 NIU Football season ticket renewal period as guests, made up exclusively of 2016 season ticket members, were invited to "sign" with NIU on the spot to see all six home games in 2017.  Many took advantage of the opportunity, showing their loyalty and dedication and providing great momentum as this year's season ticket push gets underway.  One of those, was longtime season ticket member, and DeKalb resident Steve Lekkas, who said he thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
 
"It's a great event," Lekkas said. "The combination of bringing back Coach Novak, having Jordan Lynch here and then seeing some of the more recent graduates was great.  I wanted to come to show support. I've had season tickets since about 2004, and we're from the community so my wife, Cary, and I get to as many games as we can.  It was good to see all the recruits that are signed and will keep the program going in the right direction.  I was getting excited even watching the punter and the kicker highlights."
 
As the guests sat down with members of the coaching staff to enjoy the delicious meal provided by Acquaviva, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier addressed "the choir" and re-iterated the Huskies' commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.  Frazier cited that commitment to excellence, to building on the more than 100 years of Huskie athletics tradition and to providing the best possible experience for its 400 student-athletes in 17 sports, in announcing "The Campaign to Sustain," which NIU will launch this spring.
 
"This is a great event and one I look forward to every year," Frazier said. "It's an opportunity for us to celebrate our championship tradition with the likes of Coach Joe Novak, Jordan Lynch, Cam Stingily as well as the future of NIU Football with the 2017 signing class. It's a chance for us to reward our loyal season ticket members with exclusive behind-the-scenes information regarding NIU Athletics.  We will sustain our momentum and move NIU forward."
 
Following dinner, Carey "rolled the tape" as the guests saw video highlights of each of the 22 new Huskies, who introduced themselves in their own words, with assistant coaches providing additional commentary.  Guests gave equal consideration to each recruit, until the name "Cole Tucker" – a native of DeKalb who starred for the hometown Barbs - came on the screen to loud applause.  As Carey returned to the mic to sum up the class, there is no doubt he and his coaches were very happy with the size, speed, spirit and athletic ability of the 2017 additions.
 
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this year's NIU Football Signing Day Party was the return of Hall of Fame coach Novak, who charmed the crowd with a few recruiting stories of his own, some dating back to the days when he was an assistant for Bill Mallory at NIU.  He recalled his visit to the home of current NIU assistant coach, and former defensive back, Melvin Rice. Novak said his attachment to Northern Illinois University remains strong, even from his home in North Carolina, where he and Carole watch nearly every game "thanks to ESPN3" and "my neighbors know all about NIU." 
 
"When [former Director of Athletics] Jim Phillips first came here, he used a term 'blood in the bricks' " Novak said.  "Carole and I have blood in the bricks here at NIU.  We spent 16 years of our careers in DeKalb. NIU Football is important to us.  We take a lot of pride in NIU and the success they are having.  I care about those guys, I care about this program and I follow it closely.  It's always good to come back and tonight's party was fantastic.  Acquaviva is a great place.  Back in my day I think we did this at [DeKalb's] Bea's Wok and Roll in her back room with about 10 people.  What a beautiful place, what a great event, the enthusiasm was tremendous, the attendance was great.  I think Sean and this group just did a great job organizing it, what a wonderful event."
 
The event was even more wonderful for two lucky raffle winners.  To close out the program, Frazier called on two of the newest member of NIU's Board of Trustees – Dennis Barsema and Eric Wasowicz – to assist in drawing the winning tickets for trips to Lincoln, Nebraska and San Diego, California, as guests of the Huskie Football program.  Those winners will fly and stay with the Huskies on the road trips to Nebraska and San Diego State, respectively, in September.
 
Tickets for the six 2017 football home games at Huskie Stadium, which include the season opener versus Boston College, Homecoming, a match-up versus defending MAC Champion Western Michigan and the Bronze Stalk Trophy game versus Ball State are now on sale.  Season tickets are available for less than $50 each by purchasing a new $199 Family Pack offering four tickets in sections A or G to every game.  East Side (General Admission) season tickets are just $60 each.  On the West Side, buy season tickets for $115 (sections A, B, F and G) or $132 (sections C, D, E).  NIU Faculty and Staff, Alumni Association and Varsity Club members, as well as senior citizens, pay just $115 for any seat on the West Side of Huskie Stadium.
 
Complete pricing details, a stadium map and links to purchase tickets will be available via the tickets link on NIUHuskies.com.
 
-- NIU --