Conference MAC Athletic director Sean Frazier Varsity teams 17 (7 men, 10 women) | NCAA Division I FBS Location DeKalb, Illinois | |
University Northern Illinois University | ||
The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University. The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Mid-American Conference. The athletic program is made up of 7 men's sports (baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, wrestling) and 10 women's sports (basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball). The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Contents
- Sports teams
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Wrestling
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Gymnastics
- Track and field
- Cross country
- Rugby
- Cheerleading
- Huskie Hall of Fame
- References
Northern Illinois began athletic competition in 1899 and were nicknamed the Profs. In the 1920s, they were referred to as the Cardinals. During the 1930s they were called Evansmen after George "Chick" Evans. The Huskie mascot and nickname used today were officially chosen in 1940.
Sports teams
A member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, NIU sponsors teams in seven men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports.
Baseball
Northern Illinois baseball started playing in 1900. The program was disbanded from 1983 through 1990. They currently play home games at the Ralph McKinzie Field in Dekalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament twice (1972, 1996).
Championships
Basketball
Northern Illinois men's basketball started playing in 1900. They currently play home games at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times (1982, 1991, 1996).
Championships
Football
Northern Illinois football started playing in 1899. As of 2011, they have won 10 football conference titles, appeared in 12 Division I-A and College Division Bowl Games (winning five).
Championships
Golf
The Northern Illinois men's golf team currently plays its home matches at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The team won the 1976 Mid American Conference Golf title and qualified for the 1976 NCAA Golf tournament.
Soccer
The Northern Illinois men's soccer started playing in 1962. They currently play their home games at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament two times (2006, 2011).
Championships
Tennis
The Northern Illinois men's tennis team had six players qualify for the NCAA tournament, one player twice and another player three times (1963, 1968, 1970–1973, 1987).
Wrestling
The Northern Illinois Wrestling team started in 1931, and first started competing in the Division I (NCAA) in 1969 . The team had 9 NCAA All-Americans & 96 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA tournament, with two winning the NCAA title. Three other Huskie Wrestlers won the NAIA championship (1958 (@123), 1961 (@167), 1961 (@177))
1985 – Mid-American Conference Champions
Ryan Ludwig (three-time NAIA All-American and a national finalist at 157 pounds) is currently in his 3rd season as head coach for the Huskies. Completed in the fall of 2008, the Northern Illinois Wrestling Training Complex features everything a student-athlete needs to reach the highest levels on and off the mat.
Softball
Northern Illinois women's soccer started playing in 1959. They currently play their home games at Mary M. Bell Field. They have made two NCAA Regional appearances (1988, 1996) and one appearance in the world series (1988).
Championships
Basketball
Northern Illinois women's basketball started playing in 1957. They currently play home games at the Convocation Center in Dekalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament five times (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995).
Championships
Soccer
Northern Illinois women's soccer started playing in 1993. They currently play their home games at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
Championships
Volleyball
Northern Illinois women's volleyball started playing in 1970. They currently play home games at the Convocation Center in Dekalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament six times (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2011).
Championships
Tennis
Northern Illinois women's tennis team started playing in 1974. They currently play their home games at the NIU West Tennis Courts.
Championships
Gymnastics
Northern Illinois women's gymnastics started playing in 1978. They currently play home games at the Convocation Center in Dekalb, Illinois.
Golf
The Northern Illinois women's golf team currently plays its home matches at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Track and field
Northern Illinois women's outdoor track and field team currently plays at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The women's indoor track and field team plays at Convocation Center.
Cross country
Northern Illinois women's cross country team first played for one year in 1981. The program was reinstated in 1995.
Rugby
Founded in 1968, the Northern Illinois Rugby Football Club plays college rugby in the Mid-American Conference of Division 1-AA. The Huskies are led by Head Coach Kris Osterloh. The Huskies reached the 2013 D1-AA national playoffs, but lost to Lindenwood in the round of 16.
Cheerleading
The Northern Illinois University Cheerleading Program consist of two teams, All Girl and Large Coed. Both teams perform at football games, basketball games, and at the NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 2016, both teams made it to finals with the All-Girl team Finishing in 5th while the Large Coed team place 6th in the D1A Division.
2016
All Girl: 5th
Large Coed: 6th
2015
Large Coed: 5th
Huskie Hall of Fame
The Huskie Hall of Fame first started in 1978. There was an annual class induction since 1983. Women were inducted into the Hall of Fame since 1986. There are currently 179 individuals and 14 teams enshrined in the Huskie Hall of Fame.