2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide NIU MEN’S BASKETBALL THIS IS NIU 3-20 HUSKIE RECORDS AND LISTS 97-130 Yordon Center...... 4-5 Huskie Team Records...... 98-99 NIU Convocation Center...... 6-7 Opponent Team / Road Scoring Records...... 100 Chicago / DeKalb...... 8-9 Scoring Records...... 101 This is Northern Illinois...... 10-11 1,000 Point Club...... 102-106 Huskie Game Day...... 12 Huskie Individual Records...... 107-112 President Dr. John G. Peters...... 13 Year-By-Year Statistical Leaders...... 113-116 Athletics Director Dr. Jim Phillips...... 14-15 Huskie Streaks...... 117 Athletics Staff...... 16-19 Convocation Center Records...... 118 NIU Athletics Points of Pride...... 20 Coaching Records...... 119 Year-by-Year Results...... 120-129 HUSKIE COACHING STAFF 21-28 MEDIA INFORMATION 131-136 Head Coach Ricardo Patton...... 22-24 Assistant Coach John Anderson...... 25 Media Information...... 132-133 Assistant Coach Dennis Gates...... 26 Convocation Center Directions...... 133 Assistant Coach Sundance Wicks...... 27 Huskie Radio Network / Huskie Heritage...... 134 Director of Basketball Operations Will Smith / Support Staff.. 28 Media Outlets...... 135 Radio / TV Roster...... 136 MEET THE HUSKIES 29-52 Egan Grafel...... 30-31 Bristan Kelley...... 32-33 Shaun Logan...... 34-35 Richard Oruche...... 36-37 Zach Pancratz...... 38-39 Ryan Paradise...... 40-41 Ben Rand...... 42-43 Cody Yelder...... 44-45 On the cover: Head Coach Ri- Darion Anderson / Darrius Gaters / Jarvis Nichols...... 46 cardo Patton with Huskie seniors Najul Ervin / Jeremy Landers / Sean Smith...... 47 (L-R) Zach Pancratz, Ryan Para- Michael Fakuade / Lee Fisher / Sean Kowal...... 48 dise, Egan Grafel, Shaun Logan, Michael Hart / Michael Patton / Managers...... 49 Ben Rand Season Outlook...... 50-51 Alphabetical / Numerical Roster...... 52

2006-07 SEASON IN REVIEW 53-62 Overall and MAC Cumulative Statistics...... 54 Game-By-Game Summaries / NIU’s Record When...... 55 Game-By-Game Box Scores...... 56-60 Mid-American Conference...... 61 Mid-American Conference Season In Review...... 62 2007-08 OPPONENTS 63-82 Opponent Quick Facts...... 64-71 Mid-American Conference Tournament...... 72 2006-07 Mid-American Conference Composite Schedule.. 74 All-Time Series Records...... 75 NIU Records vs. The Conferences...... 76 All-Time Results vs. Opponents...... 77-82

HUSKIE HISTORY 83-96 The 1982 Huskies...... 84 The 1991 Huskies...... 85 The 1996 Huskies...... 86 Huskie Lettermen...... 87-88 IBCA Hall of Fame Inductees...... 89 Huskies at the Next Level...... 89 Huskie All-Americans ...... 90 Huskie Who’s Who...... 91 Huskie Team Captains and MVP’s...... 92 For all the latest news, notes and information on Huskies in the NCAA Statistics...... 93-94 NIU athletics, check out: Huskie Honor Roll...... 95-96 www.niuhuskies.com

www.niuhuskies.com  2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide NIU QUICK FACTS Starters Returning (R) and Lost (L) General Information Ht. Cl. Pos. PPG RPG APG Location...... DeKalb, Ill. James Hughes (L) 6-11 Sr. C 12.1 6.1 0.3 Founded...... 1895 Shaun Logan (R) 6-7 Sr. F 7.6 5.5 2.5 Enrollment...... 25,254 Mike McKinney (L) 6-4 Sr. G 12.6 4.9 2.0 President...... Dr. John Peters Zach Pancratz (R) 6-4 Sr. G/F 8.9 3.3 1.7 * Athletics Director...... Dr. Jim Phillips Ryan Paradise (R) 6-1 Sr. G 10.1 1.9 1.9 Conference...... Mid-American (West Division) Nickname...... Huskies Other Returnees Colors...... Cardinal and Black Ht. Cl. Pos. PPG RPG APG Home Court/Capacity...... Convocation Center / 9,100 Egan Grafel 6-7 Sr. F 1.8 1.5 0.4 Bristan Kelley 6-6 So. F 2.9 2.1 0.9 History Richard Oruche 6-2 So. G/F 0.8 0.6 0.2 Ben Rand 6-7 Sr. G/F 4.9 2.8 2.9 First Year of Basketball...... 1900-01 Cody Yelder 6-1 So. G 9.8 2.5 1.9 First Year of Division I Basketball...... 1967-68 All-Time Division I Record...... 509-582 (.467) Key Newcomers NCAA Appearances...... 3 (last, 1996) Ht. Cl. Pos. Last School Team Information Darion Anderson 6-2 Fr. G Carver Academy Najul Ervin 6-7 So. F Kankakee CC 2006-07 Overall Record...... 7-23 Jeremy Landers 6-3 Fr. G Genesis One (Miss.) 2006-07 MAC Record / Finish...... 4-12 / 6th (West) Sean Smith 6-6 Jr. F Vincennes JC Starters Returning / Lost...... 2 / 2 Letterwinners Returning / Lost...... 8 / 4 * Will sit out 2007-08 season due to injury. Roster by Class (Fr. / So. / Jr. / Sr.)....6 / 5 / 2 / 6

Coaching Staff Head Coach...... Ricardo Patton Alma Mater, Year...... Belmont, ‘80 Phone...... (815) 753-1633 E-Mail...... [email protected] Record at NIU/Years...... First Season Overall Record/Years...... 184-160 /12 years Assistant Coach...... John Anderson Alma Mater, Year...... Stillman College ‘80 Phone...... (815) 753-9115 The official outfitter of Northern Illinois University E-Mail...... [email protected] Intercollegiate Athletics Assistant Coach...... Dennis Gates Alma Mater, Year...... California ‘02 Phone...... (815) 753-1629 CREDITS E-Mail...... [email protected] The 2007 Northern Illinois Men’s Basketball Media Guide is a product of the NIU Athletics Media Relations Office. Editor: Matt Brendich; As- Assistant Coach...... Sundance Wicks sistant Editors: David Brauer, Russell Houghtaling, Joe Summins, Donna Alma Mater, Year...... Northern State, ‘02 Turner. Contributors: Danielle Anderson, Seon Brown, Ben Killam, Zach Phone...... (815) 753-1361 Peters, Tierra Walker, Northern Illinois University Public Relations; E-Mail...... [email protected] Photography: Scott Walstrom; Additional Photography: NIU Media Director of Basketball Operations...... Will Smith Services (Gordon Means, Barry Stark, Keith Lowman, George Tarbay, Don Butler, Bob Banke, Wade Duerkes, Phil Mascione), NIU Media Athletics Trainer...... Jeff Sisson Relations Archives, University of Colorado Sports Information. Cover Design: Joe Summins and Matt Brendich. Printing: Multi-Ad Services, Media Relations Peoria, Illinois. Associate AD / Communications...... Donna Turner Associate Director (Contact)...... Matt Brendich Copies of this publication are available to the general public at a cost of $15 each (includes shipping & handling) by sending a check, Phone / Fax...... (815) 753-9538 / 9540 made payable to Northern Illinois, to NIU Media Relations Office, E-Mail...... [email protected] 209 Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Ill., Cell ...... (815) 375-0205 60115. Press Row...... (815) 752-6767/6768 Address...... 209 Convocation Center, ...... 1525 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115 Website...... www.niuhuskies.com  www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

www.niuhuskies.com  With the opening of the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center room and a fully-equipped computer lab, as well as offices for in August of 2007, Northern Illinois Athletics and its 17 programs the counselors of the Student-Athlete Academic Support Services and 467 student-athletes will most certainly reap the benefits (SAASS). This area brings the staff of SAASS into more direct of its arrival. daily contact with NIU’s student-athletes. In a ceremony prior to the final home football game on Huskie student-athletes will have the luxury of working out Nov. 17, 2006, NIU Athletics announced a $2.5 million gift from in the brand new strength and conditioning center. The spacious Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon, the largest in the 108-history of new area has made an immediate impact on NIU programs as Huskie athletics. student-athletes train on new equipment with a variety of ma- The Yordon Center provides Huskie student-athletes with chines. The new Strength and Conditioning Center is large enough brand new facilities in which to develop their minds, bodies and to enable NIU’s professional strength and conditioning coaches spirits as they work toward achieving academic and athletic to avoid scheduling conflicts while allowing space for warm-ups, success. It is a cornerstone facility in Northern Illinois’ goal plyometric exercises and speed and agility activities. to provide each and every student-athlete with a “world-class” All Huskie student-athletes benefit from the new Athletic experience while wearing the Huskie uniform. Training Room, which dramatically increases the space and im- The heart of the 62,000-square foot facility is the Frances proves facilities used by NIU’s professional athletic training staff and George Wilkins Academic Support Center (honoring Carole & and the team doctors to prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries. Joe Novak), featuring one-on-one tutorial rooms, a group study The nearby Equipment Room provides expanded space for stor- age of equipment as well as new laundry facilities. Every aspect of the Yordon Center is designed not only to help NIU meet its goal of providing a “world class” experience for its current Huskie student-athletes, but to ensure the ongoing success of the Northern Illinois intercollegiate athletic program by providing an impressive welcome for prospective student-athletes and their families, alumni, donors, guests and visitors. Since the initial “public” launch of the Yordon Center project in April 2005, over $7.5 million has been raised to build the $14 million facility through numerous naming opportunities, including rooms, tiles and lockers. Naming opportunities remain as the Yordon Center takes shape and improvements continue to be made to this magnificent facility.

One of the amenities in the Yordon Center that benefits student-athletes is the state-of-the-art training room. It includes a plunge pool, water treadmill and a x-ray room. Huskie student-athletes utilize a spacious 15,000-square strength and conditioning center.

Nine small meeting rooms and one auditorium that splits in two provides ample meeting space for the various Huskie athletic programs.

One of the most important aspects of the Frances and George Wilkins • Frances and George Wilkins Academic Support Center Academic Support Center is the includes counselor’s offices, classrooms, computer lab and tutor spacious new computer lab. rooms.

• Football Locker Room holds 120 lockers with a team gathering area and an adjacent coaches’ locker room.

• Athletic Training Room is a state-of-the-art health center with an X-ray room, doctor’s office, two rehabilitation pools, a drug testing area and offices for staff.

• Equipment Room features an expandable storage system, laundry drop system, pass through lockers and ample counter and work space for student managers.

• Strength and Conditioning Center is a massive (15,000 square feet) area with all new weight equipment and sprint lanes.

• Huskie Football Offices include three conference rooms, head coaching suite and nine assistant coaches’ offices overlooking Brigham Field as well as a video editing room.

• Meeting Rooms for each position group, as well as the tiered classroom with capacity of 150, can also be used by Student- Athlete Academic Support Services for larger group sessions. The Convocation Center. It’s no longer a dream. After five decades of wishing, hoping, planning, and building, Northern Illinois University’s $36-million, state-of-the-art Con- vocation Center officially opened for business amidst four-star reviews in 2002 and is entering its sixth year of operations. The Convocation Center dazzled the locals and the media. “Big arena on the prairie” headlined the Elgin Courier News. The Daily Herald bannered: “Grand (sports) opening.” The top story on the Rockford Register Star sports page did it in Roger Ebert style: “New home a 4-star hit” and “Intimate Convocation Center gets rave reviews.” “In recruiting, when prospective student-athletes visit our campus, we have no worry about them visiting someone else’s campus and seeing a better facility,” NIU head men’s basketball coach Ricardo Patton said. “It’s as nice as any arena that I’ve seen. There may be some bigger, but none, in my opinion, better.” There’s been excitement on campus, in the DeKalb-Sycamore community, and over the entire region about the new Northern Illinois facility. It left an unforgettable impression as the center has been established as the leading destination in the Northern Illinois region for entertainment, athletic competition and educational programming. The Convo is home to university commencement exercises throughout the year, and provides numerous activities including internship and job fairs, educational seminars and teacher placement conferences. The Convo includes a $1.5-million eight-sided Daktronics scoreboard that hangs from the ceiling at center court with four sev- en-by-seven video boards, two electronic 16-by-20 message boards located on the walls behind each basket, five luxury suites. Not to mention other amenities unimaginable in beloved, but outdated Chick Evans Field House, such as 215,000 square feet of exhibition space, 3,000 parking spaces, chairback seats with fan friendly sightlines, a spacious lobby, arena catering, a media room, and an 800-seat auxiliary gym called Victor E. Huskie Court. Nearly 1,000,000 people have walked through the Convocation Center doors for concerts, graduations, athletic events, trade shows, banquets and more. The Convocation Center hosts hundreds of events per year and its flexibility allows for events and private functions in all shapes and sizes. Over the years, the Convo has welcomed acts such as Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Kanye West, Ciara, Twista, 311, 3 Doors Down, B.B. King, O.A.R., Ashlee Simpson, Dave Chappelle and Trey Anastasio. While serving the community and region, there is no doubt that the No. 1 “client” is NIU Intercollegiate Athletics. In addition to both Huskie basketball programs, the Convocation Center serves as home to women’s volleyball, wrestling and women’s gymnastics.. The first Northern Illinois athletic event in the new facility took place on August 30, 2002, when the Huskie women’s volleyball team defeated IUPUI, 30-17, 30-25, 30-20, in the opening round of the Best Western Invitational at Victor E. Huskie Court. People have speculated about a multi-purpose facility on campus since the early 1960s. It wasn’t until the 1990s when retir- ing Northern Illinois President John E. La Tourette started the process and Peters put the finishing touches on the project. The new era dawned for the Northern Illinois University community on April 22, 1999, when the NIU Board of Trustees ap- proved the construction of a new Convocation Center. Endorsed by the Student Association, unanimously approved by the institution’s Board of Trustees, and okayed by the Illinois Board of Higher Education on October 5, 1999, the Convocation Center anchors NIU’s exciting West Campus redevelopment master plan. Located in a 230-acre parcel at the southwest end of Northern Illinois’ West Campus, the Convocation Center became the school’s “Second Front Door” as part of the renovated residence halls, expanded recreational areas, and beautiful new central park. With the Center’s versatility and the adjacent 3,000 parking spaces, campus planners believe it will soon become the most widely-used facility on the Northern Illinois campus. The multi-purpose Convocation Center addressed the need for an indoor event venue on the campus of a major state university with an enrollment of over 25,000 students. The Convocation Center Advisory Committee—made up of NIU students, faculty, and staff—was concerned about the lack of large-scale event space. Over the years, other campus facilities have proven to be inadequate or outdated for graduation, concerts, and other “big draw” events. But Northern Illinois isn’t be the only Convocation Center “client.” The center was designed to replace Chick Evans Field House, which had been the home of Huskie athletics teams since 1957. That building was turned over to the NIU Office of Campus Recreation when the Convocation Center opened, allowing OCR to meet the growing demand for its programs. Student fees, user fees, and facility revenues provided much of the funding for the Convocation Center. Private gifts helped the facility enhancements. The NIU Convocation Center costs $1.3 million per year to operate with rental revenues projected to cover that expense. The Convocation Center remains committed to promoting student participation, academic enrichment, athletic competition and community involvement through diverse events. The home of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois provides NIU students with a college-town atmosphere in the shadow of one of the world’s great cities. Located just 65 miles west of downtown Chicago and less than half that distance from the city’s ever-expanding western suburbs, DeKalb maintains a unique character and offers a quality existence to its nearly 45,000 residents. DeKalb is successfully combining the old and the new as brick-paved streets and historic homes co-exist with a growing business sector and brand new residential and commercial developments. The proximity of Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, means that local citizens, including NIU student-athletes, have easy access to the city’s many offerings, including cultural events and festivals, professional sports, restaurants, theatres and recreational facilities. Three airports – O’Hare, Midway and Rockford – are within an hour’s drive of the NIU campus. In addition to many activities, including athletics, available on campus, DeKalb is famous for its annual “CornFest”, welcoming students back to town in late August. During CornFest, streets in downtown DeKalb are closed, bands play and vendors open their doors to the returning population. Nearly 10,000 ears of sweet corn from fields that surround the city, are given away free at the Corn Boil. A comprehensive bus service, proposed high-speed fiber-optic cable installation and a young population (25% are age 20-25) make DeKalb a growing and vibrant community in which to live, work and play.

2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide NIU Quick Facts Founded: 1895 Location: DeKalb, Illinois (Population 40,000 - 65 miles west of downtown Chicago and 45 miles southeast of Rockford)

Under the leadership of President DeKalb campus: 786 acres, 63 major buildings Dr. John G. Peters, Northern Illinois University has experienced an Undergraduate colleges: Business, exciting burst of energy, growth and Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, development. Since his arrival in 2000, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Visual and Peters has guided the university into Performing Arts the modern digital age while adhering Faculty: 1,205 to the foundations of 1899. Altgeld Hall has been restored to its In-state tuition and fees (per year): former glory. Barsema Hall, home to $6,652 the College of Business, is among the Out-of-state tuition and fees (per year): nation’s most technologically-advanced $11,713 business schools. The NIU Convocation Libraries system: Founders Memorial Center’s 10,000-seat arena showcases Library, 7 branch libraries, 2 million books, Huskie athletics along with the best in 6,000 electronic journals entertainment and trade shows. The Northern offers 54 academic majors, 61 Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, minors, 71 emphases, and 8 pre-professional NIU’s newest building, has become institution, putting it in the top 4 percent programs. the welcoming gateway to campus and of all American universities, and is a Total Enrollment: 25,254 DeKalb. member of the Universities Research Northern Illinois’ 25,000-plus Association, a prestigious consortium Undergraduate: 18,031 students can pursue degrees in 54 of universities across the country that Graduate and College of Law: 6,789 undergraduate majors with master’s supports the work of important national level work offered in 70 programs. laboratories. Average freshman ACT score: 22 (National average: 21) In addition, a variety of doctoral and Meanwhile, President Peters has specialist degrees, as well as the juris committed the university to expanding Student/faculty ratio: 17 to 1 doctor, are granted by NIU. its service to Illinois families through Northern Illinois has received the Average class size: 28 partnerships that improve our cities (Senior-level class size: 18) highest possible designation from the and towns, our schools and our state’s Carnegie Foundation as a “Doctoral/ economy. Students receiving financial aid: 71% Research University Extensive” Opened in 1899 as the Northern Amount of financial aid: $153 million Student body: 92% from Illinois, 46% men, 54% women, 26% ethnic minorities, 836 international students representing 90 nations

Illinois State Normal School, the original stated mission was to prepare college-educated teachers. Today, NIU has grown into a world-class university that attracts students from around the globe while remaining committed to preparing teachers, and providing an excellent and affordable higher education to Illinois families. NIU’s second century promises a bright future for all of Illinois as we reach beyond our campus to put the lifelong learning we profess into bountiful practice. The Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center opened its doors in time for the Huskies’ 2005 homecoming and has become a campus landmark. 10 www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide Among the many examples of successful power and subatomic particles, as well Northern Illinois people, programs and as reading comprehension. priorities: • NIU is a partner with the Illinois State • Several NIU programs have been Board of Education, the Chicago Public ranked among the best in the nation Schools and the Illinois Resource Center including the Master’s in Public in a federally-funded initiative to recruit Administration (MPA) program, ranked and train bilingual teachers. fourth nationally by U.S. News & World Report in city management • More than 25,000 NIU graduates and eighth for public finance; the NIU teach in Illinois and one in every four marketing program, ranked among Illinois school superintendents owns a the top 5 percent in the nation by degree from NIU. the Professional Society for Sales and Marketing Training; the Department of Accountancy, ranked in the nation’s Notable Alumni top 10 by the Public Accounting Report for the last four years; and the NIU College of Business, ranked 65th in BusinessWeek’s 2007 ranking of best Made possible through a $20 million undergraduate business programs in gift by NIU alumnus Dennis Barsema the country. and his wife Stacey, The Barsema Hall for the College of Business opened • NIU’s federally-funded Institute its doors in 2002 and features 22 for NanoScience, Engineering and classrooms with Internet connections Technology collaborates with Argonne and a 375-seat audtitorium. National Laboratory on basic research in nanotechnology, an emerging field that many scientists believe will spur Former U.S. Speaker of the House and the next technological revolution. current Congressman Dennis Hastert (at left, pictured with President John • Faculty and students in NIU’s Frontier Peters) earned a master’s degree Physics outreach program are working from NIU in 1967. to spark interests in science among school children throughout northern Illinois. Over the past three years, the traveling road show has presented eye-popping physics demonstration to 25,000 K-12 students.

• Black Issues in Higher Education magazine consistently ranks NIU in the top 100 institutions nationwide graduating minority students, including No. 1 in the country for number of Paul Sereno (left), a 1979 NIU graduate degrees in education awarded graduate, has been credited with to African-Americans. finding the world’s oldest dinosaur fossil. • NIU is creating an ultra-fast, fiber- optic communications network that will bring next-generation technology Steve Harris (ABC-TV’s The Practice, three- to the northern Illinois region. Dubbed time Oscar honoree “NIUNet,” the roughly 175-mile fiber Joan Allen and Dan optic loop is expected to be a huge boon Castelleneta (the voice to research and economic development of Homer J. Simpson) efforts. are NIU alums.

• Northern Illinois researchers are on the cutting edge of critical efforts in areas such as global warming, hydrogen www.niuhuskies.com 11 Northern Illinois men’s basketball coach Ricardo Patton is hoping to cause a riot in his first season as the Huskie skipper, and helping the cause is the return of the “NIU Red Riot”. The “Red Riot” is a student-fan group that is one of the rowdiest groups in the land, while promoting a positive image of NIU and its student body. Seated on the lower bowl of the Convocation Center directly next to the visiting bench, the “Red Riot” truly gives the Hus- kies a ‘sixth’ man on the court. The Sixth Man Grille, sponsored by the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund, provides VIP hospitality for HASF members and a pre-game “chalk talk” from a member of the men’s basketball coaching staff before each home game. The Huskie band plays and the cheerleaders entertain the crowd in eager anticipation of tip-off. Old friends and alumni shop for souvenirs and stop by the concession stands before heading to their seats. Groups of children line the court to shake hands as the starters are introduced and a highlight reel of the Huskies blares above the court as NIU takes to the hardwood. As the pre-game clock winds to zero, the referee tosses the ball at mid-court and the Huskie nation screams with approval or dismay at every play, but always ready to support NIU basketball. 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide President Dr. John Peters Dr. John G. Peters is the NIU’s longstanding commitment to regional service has also eleventh president of Northern received new attention and support under Dr. Peters’ leadership. Illinois University, a post he has His vision of NIU as “the nation’s premier regional public held since June 2000. As NIU’s university” has been the basis for substantial enhancement of chief executive officer, Dr. Peters regional partnerships with schools, business, health care and provides strategic direction local governmental agencies. In 2005, Dr. Peters established an and oversight for a nationally- ambitious five-year plan that leverages historic NIU strengths recognized, comprehensive by connecting regional engagement and applied research to the university serving more than university’s well-known focus on real-world learning experiences. 25,000 students in 120 areas Fortified by that plan and more than $100 million in private of study at both undergraduate donations, NIU this year launched its first-ever comprehensive and graduate levels. Under capital campaign and began a campus-wide strategic planning his leadership, NIU has both process to focus university resources and efforts in the years expanded and refined its ahead. Among its more ambitious components is creation of institutional vision to more closely a proton therapy cancer treatment and research center that align teaching, research and integrates NIU’s respected physics program with cutting-edge outreach efforts with emerging nuclear medicine. needs of the northern Illinois / Dr. Peters’ reputation as a consensus-builder and education Chicagoland region. policy expert puts him much in demand for leadership roles in A native of Strongsville, statewide and national organizations. He has served as chair Ohio, Dr. Peters earned his of the Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents and is a bachelor’s degree in political science at Cleveland’s John Carroll member of that group’s executive committee. His leadership University, and a master’s in government from Ohio University in the area of intercollegiate athletics also includes membership in Athens. In 1974, he received his Ph.D. in political science on the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee representing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to the “coalition conferences.” Dr. Peters served as Illinois’ assuming the NIU presidency, Dr. Peters was provost and chief representative to the American Association of State Colleges operating officer at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. His and Universities (AASCU). He is a member of the U.S. Abraham distinguished academic career also includes 20 years in teaching Lincoln Commission on International Education; NASULGC’s and administrative roles at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Commission on Women in Higher Education; and is co-chair of where he earned numerous awards for work in and out of the Illinois’ Center for Child Welfare and Education. In 2004, the classroom. U.S. Department of Education named Dr. Peters to a special Dr. Peters’ presidency at NIU has been marked by substantial task force studying math and science education, providing a increases in university reputation and new sources of funding. national perspective for his ongoing work with education and In his first year as president, he gained admission for NIU to economic development groups throughout the Midwest. the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant A political scientist by training, Dr. Peters specializes in Colleges (NASULGC), an honor reserved for the top five percent studies of public policy and Congress. He has published widely, of universities nationwide. That same year, Dr. Peters secured including articles in the Journal of Policy Studies, American Politics NIU’s largest-ever private gift: $20 million for a new College Quarterly, American Political Science Review, and Legislative of Business building. Since that time, President Peters has Studies Quarterly, and has co-edited two books on American led efforts to expand federal funding of select NIU research politics. He is a Fellow of the Center for Great Plains Studies and programs – a campaign that has garnered more than $60 million, has served as the associate editor of the Great Plains Quarterly. strengthened key partnerships with state and federal research Dr. Peters and his wife, Barbara Cole Peters, have a son, Russell, programs, and enhanced NIU’s standing in the prestigious who lives and works in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife and Carnegie Foundation rankings of research institutions. young son. Athletics Staff Directory SENIOR ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION Taylor Wood ([email protected])...... 753-0639 SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY / COUNSELING Women’s Soccer Jim Phillips ([email protected])...... 753-7370 Cheryl Henert ([email protected])...... 753-9198 Moira Stuart ([email protected])...... 753-0137 Marci Miller Jobson ([email protected]) 753-9535 Dee Abrahamson ([email protected]) 753-1628 Karrie Kirk ([email protected])...... 753-1923 Sheila Berg ([email protected])...... 753-9541 STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Softball Monique Bernoudy ([email protected]) 753-9182 MARKETING Matt Mangum ([email protected]).....753-0399 Lindsay Chouinard ([email protected])..753-1497 Shelley Binegar ([email protected])...... 753-0800 Clifford Bottigliero ([email protected])...753-1292 Chad Bower ([email protected])...... 753-0399 Men’s Tennis Bobbie Cesarek ([email protected]).....753-9474 Cindy Green ([email protected])...... 753-1295 Clete McLeod ([email protected])...... 753-0399 Pontus Hiort ([email protected]) ...... 753-6845 Robert Collins (rcollins @niu.edu)...... 753-9531 Elaine Russell ([email protected])...... 753-0801 Women’s Tennis Todd Garzarelli ([email protected]).....753-8042 T.R. Johnson ([email protected])...... 753-1828 BAND Ryun Ferrell ([email protected])...... 753-9536 Sue Hansfield ([email protected]) ...... 753-9544 Thomas Bough ([email protected])...... 753-1042 Volleyball Glen Krupica ([email protected])...... 753-8405 STUDENT-ATHLETE Ray Gooden ([email protected])...... 753-9533 Tim McMurray ([email protected])...... 753-1923 ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Wrestling Ed Pasque ([email protected])...... 753-9494 Colleen Aeppli ([email protected])...... 753-7091 Susie Armbrust ([email protected])...... 753-3009 Dave Grant ([email protected])...... 753-9478 Eric Schultz ([email protected])...... 752-6866 Jamie Erickson ([email protected])...... 753-1654 Francine St. Clair ([email protected])...... 753-1727 Gregory Isaac ([email protected])...... 753-1539 VIDEO PRODUCTION MEN’S BASKETBALL STAFF Donna Turner ([email protected])....753-9513 Donna Jones-Ilsley ([email protected]).753-1812 Brad Hoey ([email protected])...... 753-6667 Head Coach Phil Voorhis ([email protected])...... 753-0211 Leonard LeGrand ([email protected])....753-1342 Ricardo Patton ([email protected]) ...... 753-1633 Michelle Reed ([email protected])...... 753-9246 HEAD COACHES Assistant Coaches ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Baseball John Anderson ([email protected])...... 753-9115 Janaan Mickey ([email protected])...... 753-7370 MEDIA RELATIONS Ed Mathey ([email protected])...... 753-2225 Dennis Gates ([email protected])...... 753-1629 Jeanne Chakraborty ([email protected]).753-1494 David Brauer ([email protected])...... 753-3706 Women’s Basketball Sundance Wicks ([email protected])...... 753-1361 Matt Brendich ([email protected])...... 753-9538 Carol Owens ([email protected])...... 753-0586 Director of Basketball Operations BUSINESS AFFAIRS Russell Houghtaling ([email protected]) 753-1708 Cross Country/Women’s Track and Field Will Smith ([email protected])...... 753-1362 Marzena Szmydt ([email protected])...... 753-9542 Zach Peters ([email protected])...... 753-9572 Connie Teaberry ([email protected])...753-0836 Daksha Patel ([email protected])...... 753-9482 Joe Summins ([email protected])...... 753-9539 Football All phone numbers are area code 815. Lesslie Erickson ([email protected])...... 753-9543 Mike Korcek ([email protected])...... 753-9559 Joe Novak ([email protected])...... 753-1825 Men’s Golf NCAA COMPLIANCE ATHLETICS TRAINING John Cleary ([email protected])...... 753-1816 Brent Moberg ([email protected])...... 753-8290 Jeff Sisson([email protected])...... 753-4839 Women’s Golf Kelly Hockenberger ([email protected]).. 753-1624 Pam Tyska ([email protected])...... 753-1548 HUSKIE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND Tricia Schank ([email protected])...... 753-9477 Women’s Gymnastics Tara Hefter ([email protected])...... 753-5510 Kammy Powell ([email protected])...... 753-1391 Mark Sontag ([email protected])...... 753-1498 Ryan Schoop ([email protected])...... 753-1823 Men’s Soccer Carly Newlands ([email protected])...753-1801 Steve Simmons ([email protected]) 753-1372 www.niuhuskies.com 13 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide Associate Vice President / Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Phillips In just three years as Director even secured the first ever sport program budget increase of Athletics at Northern Illinois since 1992 from the rapid growth of the HASF. University, Dr. Jim Phillips The Huskie H.I.T. Center, indoor practice center for baseball, has clearly made his mark on softball, and golf, opened in the fall of 2007. Huskie athletics. On July 1, While facilities such as the Yordon Center will be Phillips’ 2006, Phillips was promoted legacy at NIU, his landmark agreement with radio power to Associate Vice President, WSCR-AM has placed the Huskies in the heart of the vast in addition to his Director of Chicago media market. Phillips and WSCR Vice-President / Athletics title, after already General Manager Paul Agase unveiled a four-year agreement being recognized by his peers in 2005 for the 50,000-watt station to carry all Huskie Sports in the Mid-American Conference Radio Network football broadcasts, men’s basketball games with his selection to serve as and a weekly NIU show. In addition to Huskie football and chairman of the MAC Athletic basketball, The Score is the radio home of the Chicago White Director’s Council. Phillips’ Sox and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. efforts stretch beyond DeKalb Along with success, the visibility of Huskie football has as he has helped NIU develop a increased significantly under Phillips. In 2006, all 13 NIU national presence since arriving games were televised by either ABC Regional, ESPN2, ESPNU on campus. and Comcast SportsNet, one year after nine of 12 contests One of 10 children from a were televised in 2005. The Huskies opened the 2007 season middle-class family, Phillips, on national television, as NIU host Big Ten opponent Iowa at who grew up in the Portage Park neighborhood on the Soldier Field on ESPNU. northwest side of Chicago, was the perfect fit to head up a Phillips has played a key role in upgrading the Huskies’ 17-sport program with 467 student-athletes at a university non-conference schedule by successfully negotiating and located in the nation’s No. 3 market. reaching agreements with perennial powers and high-profile His deep Windy City roots and family orientation are an opponents. In 2005, NIU opened with nationally-televised integral part of his core philosophy of providing the student- games at Michigan and Northwestern; the Huskies faced top- athlete with “a world-class experience” that enables them to ranked Ohio State and Iowa in 2006, and Iowa and Wisconsin succeed academically, socially and athletically. To achieve those in 2007. The next two seasons should prove no different, goals, Phillips has worked tirelessly to elevate Northern Illinois’ as the Huskies will host Navy as well as travel to Tennessee visibility and to improve the program from an educational, in 2008 and welcome the first Big Ten opponent to Huskie financial, structural, and facility standpoint. Stadium in 2009 in Wisconsin. The No. 1 achievement on Phillips’ list is the academic success Phillips secured the 2007 NCAA Men’s Golf Central Regional, achieved by NIU student-athletes since his arrival. Phillips which the Huskies hosted at the new home of NIU golf, Rich made academic pride the focal point of the department and Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., rated among the Top 50 that focus was highlighted by NIU student-athletes attaining golf courses in America according to Golf Digest. Phillips also their highest cumulative GPA in history with a mark of 3.074 helped secure a bid for preliminary men’s soccer rounds for at the completion of the 2006 fall semester. Success continued the 2016 Olympics at Huskie Stadium should Chicago be into the 2007 spring semester as Huskie student-athletes named as the host city. earned a 3.030 GPA, marking their fourth consecutive term This increased visibility goes hand in hand with the above a 3.0. In addition, all 17 teams exceeded the minimum athletic success the standards, developed by the NCAA to monitor the academic Huskies achieved progress of institutions. Ten of the 17 Huskie athletic programs during the 2005- boasted team cumulative GPA’s above the 3.0 benchmark and 06 academic year. PHILLIPS’ MAC 171 individual student-athletes reached that mark, with nine For the first time in AND NATIONAL owning a cumulative 4.0 GPA. history, both the NIU INVOLVEMENT AT NIU The Huskies also boast the last two Bob James Award winners, football and men’s given annually to the very best Mid-American Conference basketball teams student-athlete, in Marie Zidek (volleyball, 2006) and Jody captured MAC West u Chairman of Mid-American Conference Yednock (women’s gymnastics, 2007). Division titles in the Athletic Directors. Beyond the recent record-setting classroom performance same year, with the by NIU’s student-athletes, Phillips is particularly proud of gridiron achievement u the July 2005 American Football Coaches Association report marking the fourth Previously or currently serving on MAC which landed the Huskie football program alongside academic division title in five Committees for Compliance, Women’s stalwarts Notre Dame, Northwestern and Vanderbilt with a years for the Huskies. Basketball (Chair), Athletic Directors (Chair), graduation rate above 70 percent. The 2006-07 school Women’s Track & Field (Chair). Phillips is taking his commitment to the student-athlete year provided the even further. In August of 2007, NIU will open the new $14 most competitively million Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic successful year u Member of National Committees: Women’s Performance Center, the largest capital project in athletics in school-history: Basketball Committee, WBOC Advisory Board. history, and Phillips and the development staff made history Football – seventh in raising over $7.4 million in 18 months. Prior to Phillips’ consecutive winning arrival, only one six-figure gift was made to intercollegiate season and second u Sits on the Executive Council of the Mid- athletics, and under his tenure that tally has risen to 27, bowl appearance American Conference (Chair AD). including the third, fourth and fifth largest donations of any in three years; kind at NIU. Designed for the use and support of all 486 NIU Men’s Soccer – student-athletes, the Yordon Center will provide a “world-class MAC Champions, u Current member of National Association of experience”. In addition, Phillips and his staff created the MAC Tournament Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund (HASF) which is the brand C h a m p i o n s , new annual fund for athletics. All told, Phillips has continued advanced to the as well as National Association of Athletic to keep a balanced budget in all three years of his tenure and second round of the Development Directors (NAADD). 14 www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide NCAA Tournament; Volleyball – MAC West Champions; has been strongly felt. Women’s Soccer – MAC Tournament Finalist; Baseball – most Phillips’ dedication to community service MAC wins in school history; Women’s Basketball – won 19 comes from his upbringing. games, the most since the 1993-94 campaign; Wrestling How does one get from Our Lady of Victory grammar school – three NCAA national qualifiers; Women’s Gymnastics – three and Weber Catholic High School to athletics director at one NCAA qualifiers. of the nation’s 119 Division I institutions? For Phillips, the even secured the first ever sport program budget increase When it comes to enhancing the athletics program, process began as a student assistant in the University of since 1992 from the rapid growth of the HASF. Phillips established the league’s most wide-ranging, multi- Illinois athletics department from 1988-90. He then served The Huskie H.I.T. Center, indoor practice center for baseball, year partnerships with adidas (the official outfitter of NIU at Arizona State University as a graduate student and as softball, and golf, opened in the fall of 2007. athletics) and Gatorade (including significant summer camp restricted earnings basketball coach during a period in which While facilities such as the Yordon Center will be Phillips’ sponsorship) for NIU. During the 2006-07 academic year, the Sun Devils reached the postseason five straight years. legacy at NIU, his landmark agreement with radio power corporate sponsorships increased 236% while Huskie licensing Enter new ASU athletics director Kevin White, who brought WSCR-AM has placed the Huskies in the heart of the vast hit a new record for sales in the history of the department. Phillips into athletic administration to work with the Sun Chicago media market. Phillips and WSCR Vice-President / Phillips led an overhaul of the NIU website - a five-year Devils’ annual giving program and the program’s $35 million General Manager Paul Agase unveiled a four-year agreement partnership with CSTV that makes it easier for fans around campaign for facilities. in 2005 for the 50,000-watt station to carry all Huskie Sports the world to follow the Huskies and will enable live video Then the University of Tennessee called-where he initially Radio Network football broadcasts, men’s basketball games broadcast of sporting events over the Internet - which is an met future NIU president John Peters who served as the UT and a weekly NIU show. In addition to Huskie football and example of the forward thinking that is evident throughout provost-and Phillips went into overdrive. As an assistant basketball, The Score is the radio home of the Chicago White the ever-growing list of accomplishments. athletics director, he directed a $12.4 million annual athletics Sox and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. These efforts help improve the way of life for NIU’s student- giving program and wound up being directly responsible Along with success, the visibility of Huskie football has athletes, which is always at the forefront on Phillips’ mind. for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting all major gifts and increased significantly under Phillips. In 2006, all 13 NIU Throughout the year, the Phillips family hosts dinners for NIU donations for the Volunteer athletic program. He also aided games were televised by either ABC Regional, ESPN2, ESPNU student-athletes and staff, welcoming all 467 student-athletes in originating the first-ever capital campaign for athletics at and Comcast SportsNet, one year after nine of 12 contests and athletics staff to their home in an effort to connect and UT that raised over $50 million for endowments, facilities, were televised in 2005. The Huskies opened the 2007 season make everyone feel a part of the NIU family. and programs. In addition, he had supervisory duties over on national television, as NIU host Big Ten opponent Iowa at Phillips instituted the NIU Smart Card, which is given to athletic programs and a variety of other areas. Soldier Field on ESPNU. every student-athlete and member of the athletics department Phillips then moved to the University of Notre Dame in 2000, Phillips has played a key role in upgrading the Huskies’ and is to be carried at all times. The Smart Card helps the where he served as Associate Director of Athletics and Senior non-conference schedule by successfully negotiating and student-athlete to make the right choices and reminds them Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs. During 2002- reaching agreements with perennial powers and high-profile to “represent yourself and the institution in a positive fashion 03, he helped launch the Rockne Heritage Fund, which became opponents. In 2005, NIU opened with nationally-televised at all times.” In addition, Phillips has secured the services the first-ever athletics annual fund that directly benefited games at Michigan and Northwestern; the Huskies faced top- of a full-time sports psychologist to give the Huskies added student-athlete grant-in-aid scholarships. In addition, he ranked Ohio State and Iowa in 2006, and Iowa and Wisconsin resources that they need to be successful. managed the ticket office, various corporate sponsorships, in 2007. The next two seasons should prove no different, The work done by Phillips to enhance the experience for athletic programs and a weekly Irish radio show. as the Huskies will host Navy as well as travel to Tennessee NIU’s student-athletes earned him a 2006 Certificate of At the same time, Phillips played an integral part in the in 2008 and welcome the first Big Ten opponent to Huskie Recognition from the Northern Illinois University Supportive funding of a new $24-million, 96,000-square foot athletics Stadium in 2009 in Wisconsin. Professional Staff Council, as well as the 2007 Robert R. facility. At Notre Dame, Phillips directed all phases of the Phillips secured the 2007 NCAA Men’s Golf Central Regional, Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award given by the athletics community relations program and helped develop which the Huskies hosted at the new home of NIU golf, Rich All-American Football Foundation. new institutional and departmental advancement programs. In Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., rated among the Top 50 Over the past three years, Phillips guided an extensive addition, Phillips assisted in the first-ever athletics campaign golf courses in America according to Golf Digest. Phillips also self-evaluation of how athletics operates which led to which is raising over $105 million dollars for athletics. helped secure a bid for preliminary men’s soccer rounds for a reorganization of the department’s administration. A Phillips graduated from Illinois in 1990 with a Bachelor the 2016 Olympics at Huskie Stadium should Chicago be member of the University’s Strategic Planning Committee, of Science degree in kinesiology. He earned a master’s of named as the host city. his reorganization led to an enhanced partnership between education degree in administration from Arizona State in 1992. This increased visibility goes hand in hand with the the departments and their various university equivalents, Phillips completed his Ph.D. in education administration in athletic success the providing relationships that benefit the university as a whole. the summer of 2007 from the University of Tennessee. He Huskies achieved One example of these changes was moving student-athlete and his wife, the former Laura Hayes of Des Plaines, have during the 2005- PHILLIPS’ MAC academic services under the umbrella of the Provost’s office, four children-Luke, 7; Madeline, 6; Meredith, 4; and John, 3. 06 academic year. AND NATIONAL providing the staff and NIU student-athletes with the same Laura Phillips graduated from Illinois in 1989 with a degree For the first time in resources as the entire NIU student enrollment. in economics and received an MBA from DePaul University history, both the NIU INVOLVEMENT AT NIU When it comes to finding the ideal combination of a role in 1993. football and men’s model and an up-and-coming coach, basketball teams u Chairman of Mid-American Conference Phillips is batting 1.000. He hired captured MAC West Olympian Connie Teaberry to oversee Division titles in the Athletic Directors. women’s track and field; former Notre same year, with the Dame recruiter, associate head coach, and gridiron achievement u current USA Basketball assistant Carol marking the fourth Previously or currently serving on MAC Committees for Compliance, Women’s Owens for women’s basketball, ex-WUSA division title in five professional and U.S. Women’s National years for the Huskies. Basketball (Chair), Athletic Directors (Chair), Team member Marci Miller for women’s The 2006-07 school Women’s Track & Field (Chair). soccer, former Colorado head coach year provided the Ricardo Patton for men’s basketball and most competitively three-time DePaul All-American Lindsay successful year u Member of National Committees: Women’s Chouinard for softball. in school-history: Basketball Committee, WBOC Advisory Board. Phillips’ dedication to the CHAMPS/Life Football – seventh Skills Program resulted in NIU student- consecutive winning athletes conducting clinics, raising money season and second u Sits on the Executive Council of the Mid- and goods for victims of Hurricane Katrina, bowl appearance American Conference (Chair AD). troops overseas, the DeKalb Big Brothers/ in three years; Big Sisters program, quilts for homeless, Men’s Soccer – stocking toiletries for a homeless and MAC Champions, u Current member of National Association of women’s shelter and staffing the local MAC Tournament Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) hospital’s Halloween Party for children. C h a m p i o n s , as well as National Association of Athletic NIU boasts 100% participation from 486 advanced to the student-athletes in community service second round of the Development Directors (NAADD). events and the impact on the community The Phillips family (left to right): Madeline (age 6), Laura, John (3), Meredith (4), Jim and Luke (7). www.niuhuskies.com 15 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide NIU Board of Trustees SENIOR STAFF

BARBARA ROBERT T. BOEY GEORGE A. CHERILYN G. GIORGI VELLA DeKalb MOSER MURER Rockford Barrington Hills Homer Glen

MANUEL MYRON SIEGEL MARC J. STRAUSS SHAUN CRISLER SANCHEZ Bannockburn DeKalb Student Trustee Lisle NIU President’s Cabinet

JOHN PETERS RAYMOND ALDEN EDDIE R. ANNE C. KAPLAN MICHAEL P. BRIAN HEMPHILL President Provost WILLIAMS Vice President / MALONE Vice President / Vice President / Administration and Vice President / Student Affairs Finance and Outreach Advancement Facilities

JIM PHILLIPS KATHRYN RATHINDRA KENNETH RENA THOMAS Associate Vice BUETTNER BOSE DAVIDSON COTSONES KREPEL President / Vice President / Vice President Associate Vice Executive Director Assistant to the Athletics External Affairs / Research and President / Legal / Community President Graduate Studies Services Relations 16 www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide Athletics Staff SENIOR STAFF

ROBERT GLEN DEE MONIQUE BOBBIE COLLINS KRUPICA ABRAHAMSON BERNOUDY CESAREK Senior Associate Senior Associate Associate Athletics Associate Associate Athletics Director Athletics Director / Athletics Director Athletics / Student-Athlete Director / Personnel, / CHAMPS - Life Director / Welfare External Affairs Facilities, Game Skills Compliance Management

TIMOTHY FRANCINE DONNA SHEILA SHELLEY McMURRAY ST. CLAIR TURNER BERG BINEGAR Associate Associate Associate Assistant Assistant Athletics Athletics Director Athletics Athletics Athletics Director / / Student-Athlete Director / Director / Director / Development Academic Communications Business Development Support Services

TODD SUE ED PHIL ERIC GARZARELLI HANSFIELD PASQUE VOORHIS SCHULTZ Assistant Assistant Assistant Assistant Associate Athletics Athletics Athletics Athletics Director / Director / Director / Director / Director / Ticket Office Marketing Facilities Compliance Athletics Training

www.niuhuskies.com 17 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide Athletics Staff HEAD COACHES

ED CAROL CONNIE JOE JOHN MATHEY OWENS TEABERRY NOVAK CLEARY Baseball Women’s Cross Country/ Football Men’s Golf Basketball Track and Field HUSKIE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

PAM MARK STEVE MARCI LINDSAY TYSKA SONTAG SIMMONS MILLER JOBSON CHOUINARD Womens Golf Women’s Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Softball SPORTS MEDICINE Gymnastics

DR. MICHELE GLASGOW Team Physician

PONTUS RYUN RAY DAVE HIORT FERRELL GOODEN GRANT Men’s Tennis Women’s Tennis Volleyball Wrestling

MEDIA SERVICES

18 www.niuhuskies.com 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide Athletics Staff FACILITIES COMPLIANCE admin office

MIKE LINDA BRENT JAN TERRY JANAAN JEANNE DeFAUW KRONE MOBERG RINTALA BISHOP MICKEY CHAKRABORTY Convo Manager Yordon Center Director of Faculty Athletics Athletics Board Senior Administrative Manager Compliance Representative Chair Administrative Assistant Assistant

HUSKIE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND INFORMATION MARKETING TECHNOLOGY

TARA RYAN CHERYL KARRIE CLIFF ELAINE HEFTER SCHOOP HENERT KIRK BOTTIGLIERO RUSSELL SUSIE Assistant Assistant Operations Administrative Director Assistant ARMBRUST Director Director Manager Assistant of Sales Director Coordinator

SPORTS MEDICINE ATHLETICS TRAINING

DR. MICHELE DR. STEVEN DR. LINDA DR. MICHAEL DR. RUSS KELLY KAMMIE TRICIA GLASGOW GLASGOW LISTON BROWN BODNER HOCKENBERGER POWELL SCHANK Team Physician Team Physician Team Physician Team Physician Team Physician Assistant Trainer Assistant Trainer Assistant Trainer

STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT COUNSELING MEDIA SERVICES SERVICES band MEDIA RELATIONS

BRAD PATRICK SCOTT MICHELLE COLLEEN THOMAS HOEY GORMAN WALSTROM REED AEPPLI BOUGH MOIRA STUART Video Producer Video Producer Photographer Coordinator Coordinator / Director MIKE Psychologist Retention KORCEK SID Emeritus

www.niuhuskies.com 19 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Media Guide

• Northern Illinois student-athletes have combined to post a cumulative grade point average above 3.0 in each of the last four semesters, including the highest athletics cumulative GPA (3.074 by 486 student-athletes) on record in the Fall 2006 and the highest GPA ever recorded by the Huskie football team (Spring 2007).

• NIU completed construction of the $14 million Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic Performance Center in August 2007 (see page 4).

• The Northern Illinois football team has made three straight postseason appearances and advanced to two bowl games in the past three seasons – the 2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic (NIU’s first bowl bid in 21 years) and the 2006 Poin- settia Bowl.

• The Huskies have established multi-year partnerships with adidas and Gatorade and signed a five-year agreement with CSTV to host Northern Illinois’ Official Athletics website.

• Work on a new indoor practice center for the Northern Illinois baseball, softball, and golf teams is slated to begin in 2007.

• Northern Illinois’ newest head coaches include former Olympian Connie Teaberry for women’s track and field, NIU alumna and 2006-07 USA Basketball assistant Carol Owens (women’s basketball), U.S. Women’s National team member Marci Miller Jobson for women’s soccer, and most recently, Ricardo Patton for men’s basketball and former three-time • NIU successfully played host to the 2007 NCAA Men’s Golf DePaul All-American Lindsay Chouinard for softball. Central Regional at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Il- linois. • NIU has received 27 $100,000 leadership gifts in the past two years, has seen corporate sponsorship revenues rise 236 • All 13 Northern Illinois football games were televised in percent, and realized an all-time high in licensing revenue. 2006 after nine of 12 aired in 2005, including consecutive seasons with an appearance on ABC and 25 airings on ESPN • Huskie teams and individuals achieved unprecedented athletic networks. success in 2006-07 as men’s soccer won the Mid-American Conference title and advanced to the second round of the • Three Huskies – football’s Garrett Wolfe and Doug Free and NCAA Tournament, the volleyball team captured the MAC West women’s basketball’s Stephanie Raymond – were drafted into Division crown, women’s soccer reached the MAC Champion- the NFL and WNBA, respectively, with Raymond becoming the ship Game, baseball tied the school record for victories and highest draft pick in school history in any sport (20th). shot-putter Ashley Morrow advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. • Every Northern Illinois student-athlete participated in a school-sponsored community service activity as part of the • Northern Illinois’ agreement with 50,000-watt Chicago Huskies’ CHAMPS/Life Skills program in 2006-07. sports radio power WSCR-AM 670 broadcasts Huskie games to hundreds of thousands of listeners across the region. • Reliever Matt German became the first NIU baseball player in school history to earn All-America honors while Wolfe, the • Jim Phillips has secured football scheduling agreements with NCAA’s leading rusher in 2006, was an All-America choice by Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Navy the Associated Press. and Tennessee, and NIU played a home game versus Iowa at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Sept. 1, 2007. • Gymnast Jody Yednock earned the prestigious Bob James Postgraduate Scholarship from the MAC in 2007, becoming the second straight Northern Illinois student-athlete to be honored (following volleyball’s Marie Zidek in 2006).

20 www.niuhuskies.com