DeKALB, Illinois – For years, "Chicago Media Day" has served as the unofficial kickoff to the Northern Illinois University football season. After two years without making the 65-mile trip east due to COVID-19 restrictions, NIU head coach Thomas Hammock and six Huskie players returned to Chicago Thursday to meet the media and promote the upcoming Huskie football season at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse.
 
Linebackers Kyle Pugh and Nick Rattin, quarterback Rocky Lombardi, wide receiver Cole Tucker, offensive tackle Marques Cox and defensive end Devonte O'Malley represented the Huskies with media from four of the five Chicago television stations, local radio, newspaper and websites on hand.  
 
During his opening statement, Hammock discussed the work the team has done during the offseason and the emphasis on turning the page from last year's MAC Championship season to prepare for a new campaign.  Hammock said the Huskies are a "bigger, faster, stronger football team" thanks to offseason work and already sees depth and competition throughout the line-up as a strength of the 2022 NIU team.
 
Watch Hammock's opening statement HERE.
 
After hearing from Hammock, all of the Huskies took part in one-on-one interviews. Catch the coverage on Chicago stations including FOX 32, ABC7, CBS2 and WGN as well as from the Daily Chronicle/Shaw Media. In addition, Tucker took over the Huskies' Instagram as he conducted his own Q&A sessions with his teammates. Check out his story on the niuhuskies Instagram page.
 
Watch Huskie player interviews:  


 
Next up, Hammock, Lombardi and defensive tackle James Ester travel to Cleveland, Ohio, site of this year's MAC Media Day. Follow the NIU Huskies social media channels Monday and Tuesday, July 25-26. Subscribe to the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel for content, including live weekly and postgame press conferences, game highlights and more, throughout the season.
 
Tickets for the 2022 NIU football and volleyball seasons are on sale now. Season tickets offer the best value, with football tickets priced as low as $15 per ticket with the Huskie Plan; see every Huskie Volleyball home game for just $35.
 
In Huskie Stadium, a reserved seat season ticket in sections C, D or E (between the 35s) is just $162 for a great seat to all six home games, including the Sept. 17 contest versus Vanderbilt, 115th Homecoming game against Toledo on Oct. 8 and season opener versus Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 1. General admission (East Side) season tickets are $97. Discounts on West Side reserved tickets are available for seniors (62+), Varsity Club and NIU Alumni Association members, Young Alumni (graduated in last five years) and DeKalb County residents, as well as NIU faculty and staff. Also check out the options for mini-plans, now on sale.
 
Premium seating options, including NEW volleyball courtside seats, are also available. To purchase season tickets anytime, click here or call 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday.
 
-- NIU --
 
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics