DEKALB, Ill. – Dale Berman, a member of the Northern Illinois University All-Century Football Team, passed away on Thursday (Oct. 2) at the age of 91. 

In his first season as a Huskie in 1958, Berman was named NIU's Most Valuable Player while also receiving Second Team All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) honors. 

The following year, Berman was an All-IIAC First Team honoree and served as a team captain as the Huskies posted a 7-2 record and finished tied for second in the IIAC. Berman played both offensive and defensive line for the Huskies. He was NIU's second-leading tackler in 1958 and ranked fifth in tackles in 1959. 

Berman remained an avid supporter of the Huskies as a long-time season ticket holder who also served on the Huskie Fan Advisory Board. 

Originally from Grand Ridge, Ill., Berman attended Ottawa Township High School, where he participated in football, track and baseball. As a senior, he earned all-conference, all-state and all-America honorable mention recognition in football. He went on to attend Northwestern University where he was a member of the football team for two seasons before being drafted into the U.S. Army.

He served in the Army from 1954-56 and was stationed in South Carolina with anti-aircraft artillery on the Savanah River Project with radar surveillance. 

Upon his discharge, Berman enrolled at NIU and starred for the Huskie football team. Berman continued to play football after his collegiate career concluded, playing with the Aurora Clippers and Elmhurst Travelers in the Bi-State Professional League. He was inducted into the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Following his graduation from NIU, Berman began working at IBM. During his business career, he also was the director of information systems and services for First Alert and a customer service manager for Xerox's computer service division.

He was a resident of North Aurora for more than 60 years, where he served four terms as mayor and 14 years as a trustee. He joined the Kane County Board in 2020 and was reelected in both 2022 and 2024. 

Berman was also active in several local organizations, including the Fox Valley Park District, the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the North Aurora Lions Club, Waubonsee Community College Foundation board, NIU Alumni board, and Union Congregational Church.

He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Mary; four daughters; and many grandchildren.

Everyone with NIU Athletics sends their heartfelt condolences to the Berman family.