Northern Illinois Huskies
Encyclopedia
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.
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 was officially chosen in 1940.
in DeKalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times (1982
, 1991
, 1996
).
. The team won the 1976 Mid American Conference Golf title and qualified for the 1976 NCAA Golf tournament.
in Dekalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament five times (1990
, 1992
, 1993
, 1994
, 1995
).
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
. The Huskies
Husky
Husky is a general name for a type of dog originally used to pull sleds in northern regions, differentiated from other sled dog types by their fast hard pulling style...
are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I and the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. The athletic program is made up of 7 men's sports (baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, soccer, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
) and 10 women's sports (basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, soccer, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
). The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
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 was officially chosen in 1940.
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
- 1924 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1925 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1936 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1945 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1946 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1950 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1951 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1964 - Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champions
- 1972 - Midwestern Collegiate Conference Champions
- 1996 - Mid-Continent Conference Champions
Basketball
Northern Illinois men's basketball started playing in 1900. They currently play home games at the Convocation CenterConvocation Center (Northern Illinois University)
Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, at 1525 W Lincoln Hwy, in DeKalb, Illinois, 60115-2854, USA. The arena opened in 2002. The Convocation Center is home to both the Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball and women's basketball teams,...
in DeKalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times (1982
1982 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1982 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 48 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1982, and ended with the championship game on March 29 in New Orleans, Louisiana...
, 1991
1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1991, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana...
, 1996
1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1996, and ended with the championship game on April 1 at Continental Airlines Arena in...
).
Championships
- 1934 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1941 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1945 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1972 - Midwestern Collegiate Conference Champions
- 1982 - Mid-American Conference Champions
- 1996 - Horizon League Champions
Football
Northern Illinois football started playing in 1899. As of 2007, they have won 9 football conference titles, appeared in eight Division I-A and College Division Bowl Games (winning three).Championships
- 1938 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1941 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Co-Champions - 1944 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1946 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceThe Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.-History:...
/ Little 19 Champions - 1951 - Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champions
- 1963 - Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champions
- 1964 - Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Co-Champions
- 1965 - Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champions
- 1983 - Mid-American Conference Champions (MAC)
Golf
The Northern Illinois Mens Golf team currently play their home matches at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IllinoisSugar Grove, Illinois
Sugar Grove is a far west suburban Chicago village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,909 at the 2000 census. The population was 6,016 in the 2003 special census. The population was 7,958 in the 2005 special census...
. The team won the 1976 Mid American Conference Golf title and qualified for the 1976 NCAA Golf tournament.
Soccer
The Northern Illinois men soccer started playing in 1962. They currently play their home games at the Huskie Soccer Field. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament one time in 2006.Championships
- 1984 - Midwest Metro Conference Champions
- 1990 - Mid-Continent Conference Champions
- 2006 - Mid-American Conference Champions
Tennis
The Northern Illinois men 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 started in 1931. The team had 86 players qualify for the NCAA tournament with two winning the championship match (1960 (177), 1965(HWT)). Three other players won the NAIA championship (1958 (123), 1961 (167), 1961 (177))Basketball
Northern Illinois women's basketball started playing in 1957. They currently play home games at the Convocation CenterConvocation Center (Northern Illinois University)
Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, at 1525 W Lincoln Hwy, in DeKalb, Illinois, 60115-2854, USA. The arena opened in 2002. The Convocation Center is home to both the Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball and women's basketball teams,...
in Dekalb, Illinois. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament five times (1990
1990 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1990 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament began on March 11 and ended on April 1. The tournament featured 48 teams. The Final Four consisted of Virginia, Stanford, Auburn, and Louisiana Tech, with Stanford defeating Auburn 76-60 to win its first NCAA title. Stanford's Jennifer Azzi...
, 1992
1992 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
-West Regional - Seattle, WA:-Midwest Regional - Boulder, CO:-Mideast Regional - West Lafayette, IN:-Final Four - Los Angeles, CA:-References:...
, 1993
1993 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
-Mideast Regional - Iowa City, IA:-Midwest Regional - Nacogdoches, TX:-West Regional - Missoula, MT:-Final Four - Atlanta, GA:...
, 1994
1994 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1994 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament featured 64 teams for the first time ever. The Final Four consisted of North Carolina, Purdue, Louisiana Tech, and Alabama, with North Carolina defeating Louisiana Tech 60-59 to win its first NCAA title on a 3 point shot by Charlotte Smith as...
, 1995
1995 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1995 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament featured 64 teams. The Final Four consisted of Connecticut, Tennessee, Stanford, and Georgia...
).
Championships
- 1990 - North Star Conference Champions
- 1993 - Mid-Continent Conference Champions