NIU

Just thinking out loud (and in print):

DeKALB – It’s all hands on deck for the Northern Illinois pitching staff this week.

DeKALB – Northern Illinois senior Jamison Wells told his young baseball teammates not to concern themselves with the coaches’ poll that ranked them last in the MAC West. 

Former Sycamore, NIU star joins up with San Francisco

DeKALB – Northern Illinois baseball coach Ed Mathey will watch game tape after the Huskies’ 12-7 loss to Eastern Michigan, which came on the heels of a 17-12 loss the day before. He’ll dissect his pitchers’ mechanics in hopes of finding a few easy fixes.

Michael Orris felt he developed good relationships with the Northern Illinois coaching staff when he was being recruited out of Crete-Monee High School, where he was a double-digit scorer.

After almost five years at Northern Illinois, Jeff Compher will take over as East Carolina’s athletic director today. Before leaving DeKalb, Compher talked with Daily Chronicle sports writer Steve Nitz about his tenure in DeKalb and the future of the athletic department.

Rashaan Melvin came to Northern Illinois having to prove himself as a walk-on.

Issues? You know I always have issues.

Former Northern Illinois wing Abdel Nader is transferring to Iowa State, according to multiple reports.

Jason Schepler is ready do whatever an NFL team may ask of him.

Rashaan Melvin didn’t waste any time.

DeKALB – Before the 2012 Mid-American Conference Championship Game, the MAC held a conference call with representatives from Northern Illinois and Kent State.

With the NFL Draft starting Thursday, we take a look back at those Northern Illinois football players that have been drafted this century. A few hopefuls, including cornerback Rashaan Melvin and receiver Martel Moore hope to join this list this weekend.

DeKALB – Juwan Brescacin leaped and fought two defenders for the ball.

Rod Carey made his head coaching debut in Northern Illinois’ Orange Bowl appearance in January. Now he’s settled into getting the Huskies prepared for the next step. Carey, who is also relatively new to Twitter (@niucoachcarey), will take center stage at Wrigley Field when he throws out the ceremonial first pitch and sings “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch of Wednesday’s Cubs-Rangers game.

Jeremy Kenny sparred in the Kaneland wrestling room as a high school student in the early 2000s. He often remained after workouts, a practice that helped pave the way to Kenny getting his name painted on the wall.

DeKALB – Back in August, Perez Ford had no experience on the defensive line.

Since 2005, Northern Illinois has had its football games broadcast on WSCR-670 AM, The Score.

DeKALB – As Northern Illinois’ offensive line coach, it’s Joe Tripodi’s job to make sure his group of linemen show improvements throughout spring practice.

One of the inevitable questions heading into the 2013 season will be, can Northern Illinois do it again?

DeKALB – One player who has been impressing the coaching staff during spring practice has been junior linebacker Jamaal Bass, the lone returning starter in the Huskies' linebacking corps.

DeKALB – Jordan Lynch is Northern Illinois’ starting quarterback.

Players receive bowl rings, look to 2013 season

DeKALB – It started as a chant that came out of nowhere during Joe Novak’s first season at Northern Illinois.

DeKALB – When Michael Turner was at Northern Illinois, the Huskies would talk about winning the Mid-American Conference and going to what previously was known as the Motor City Bowl.

DALLAS – Former NFL and Northern Illinois University wide receiver Sam Hurd pleaded guilty Thursday to trying to buy cocaine and marijuana to buy cocaine to set up a drug-distribution network, a move that leaves him facing significant prison time.

Northern Illinois has announced the rosters for the first annual Huskie Bowl. The game will take place Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. and is free of charge and open to the public.

DeKALB – Last spring, Northern Illinois’ offensive line was trying to prove itself.

DeKALB – Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey will sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field on April 17 when the Cubs take on the Texas Rangers at 7:05 p.m.

DeKALB – Following Northern Illinois' 31-10 loss to Florida State in the Orange Bowl, Huskies safety Jimmie Ward went back to his hometown of Mobile, Ala. to spend some time with his family.

DeKALB – Mario Jones has been playing football since he was in third grade.

Jill Carpenter has been the face of Sycamore softball for eight years.

Christian Spears will serve as the interim athletics director for Northern Illinois University starting April 15, NIU President John G. Peters announced Thursday.

Christian Spears will serve as acting director of Northern Illinois University Athletics beginning April 15, NIU President John G. Peters announced Thursday.

DeKALB – By now, you’ve all seen the video of since-fired Rutgers men’s basketball coach verbally and physically abusing players.

DeKALB – In January, Kelvin Sigler arrived in Miami just as Northern Illinois left.

Hayes moving up the depth charts, receiving more practice reps

Saturday, Northern Illinois practiced in pads for the first time. Huskies head coach Rod Carey said he liked the way his team competed, but added that there’s a lot of things his group needs to clean up. He said the offense was rusty, and though it’s natural for that to happen early, he doesn’t accept it.

DeKALB – To Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey, even if you have a top-flight running back, there’s always the need for more.

DeKALB – Last season, Jamaal Bass was one of the young guys in Northern Illinois’ linebacking corps.

Acute Florida Gulf Coast University envy. A week into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, I got it. Bad (and this has nothing to do with the FGCU coach’s supermodel wife and Maxim cover gal Amanda Marcum Enfield, honest). 

Northern Illinois sophomore wing Abdel Nader has decided to transfer after two years with the Huskies.

Northern Illinois was back at practice Wednesday afternoon.

DeKALB – Following Northern Illinois' 31-10 loss to Florida State in the Orange Bowl, Jordan Lynch finally got a chance to get a break.

Top 5 story lines

Senior is fourth brother to come through the program