NIU Victory Bell set to ring at Convo

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DeKALB - Football is king in DeKalb, especially at Northern Illinois University. While the Huskies' current record stands at 2-1, one time-honored tradition is missing from the mix of tailgating and touchdowns: the ring of the Victory Bell. The bell, donated by the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, hasn't been seen in more than two years. The bell stood for more than 33 years on the grassy area within University Circle Drive, the bus turnaround off Lucinda Avenue and in front of Reavis Hall, and was removed in the spring of 2004 when NIU reconstructed the road. So where is the bell now? &#8220It's here at the shop,” said NIU Grounds Superintendent Daryl Grayson. The bell currently sits in the Grounds Department shop, right across the street from Huskie Stadium. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity are none too pleased. &#8220It was one of our links to campus to show we've been there for the last 75 years,” said APO adviser Stacey Kuster. &#8220Last I heard, they were sending it out on bids to contractors (for a new structure to hold the bell), and that was over a year ago.” Kuster said most people at NIU are unaware of the Victory Bell, and many didn't know what it was when they walked by it. She also said the bell didn't see a lot of action when the Huskies lost 23 straight games between September 1996 and October 1998. But there is hope on the horizon for the bell. It is set to ring again, this time in front of the Convocation Center. The bell would be located near the Convo's main entrance, said Tom Wroblewski, acting director of architecture and engineering at NIU. Wroblewski said the new structure to house the bell will be made out of precast stone and will sit in the garden in front of the Convo. Plans for the new structure have been out for bids for several months through Arlington Heights-based B&H Industries, but Wroblewski is unsure of the progress. &#8220It's been out to bid, but I'm not sure of the status at this point,” he said. Wroblewski said NIU planned to have the bell installed before students came back in the fall, but there were several delays over the summer. Wroblewski remains optimistic about the bell and its progress. &#8220It will become a part of tradition once more,” he said. Collin Quick can be reached at cquick@daily-chronicle.com.