History of the Huskies
The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University (NIU). The Huskies are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The athletic program is made up of seven men's sports (baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and wrestling) and 10 women's sports (basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball). The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
NIU began athletic competition in 1899 and was nicknamed the Profs. In the 1920s, they were referred to as the Cardinals. During the 1930s, they were called Evansmen after George Evans. The Husky mascot and nickname used today were officially chosen in 1940.
College Sports Established
1895
Location
DeKalb, Illinois
College Name
Northern Illinois University
Collegiate History
1975 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1975 - 1986, 1998 - Present / MAC Conference
1994 - 1997 / Midwestern Collegiate Conference
1990 - 1994 / Mid-Continent Conference
1987 - 1990 / Independent
1973 - 1975 / Independent
1971 - 1973 / Midwestern Conference
Nickname
Huskies - In the beginning, NIU teams were known as the Profs – no doubt a reference to the institution’s mission as a teacher’s college.
During the 1920s, they were referred to as the Cardinals – probably due to the color of the school’s athletic jerseys.
In the 1930s, admiration for the legendary athletics pioneer George “Chick” Evans translated into the nickname “Evansmen.”
Finally, in 1940, a four-man committee consisting of Evans, Harold Taxman, Walter Lorimer and Harry Telman (all members of the Varsity Club) was appointed to search for “… a term with a trifle more dash.”
After much debate, an agreement was reached and reported in the January 25, 1940 Northern Illinois student newspaper.
“From now on, the word “Huskies” will be used constantly in this paper and in other papers to indicate our athletic squads,” the article read.
Since being elevated to Division I status in the late 1960s, the Huskie mascot has had several incarnations: a series of real dogs, a live Victor E. Huskie in costume, and several line drawing logo versions.
For Baby Boomers, the most popular version was the fighting Huskie in a boxer’s stance. In the 1980s, athletic wear sported the running dog logo. And today, the bold side-view logo is the dog whose likeness appears on t-shirts, football helmets and a host of other applications.
The American Kennel Club notes that the Siberian Husky is “loyal, outgoing, mischievous, friendly, fastidious and dignified … Quick and light on its feet and free and graceful in action.”
And about that unique spelling: Prior to the 1960s, written game reports used “Husky” and “Huskie” interchangeably. In 1967, Sports Information Director Bud Nangle made it his mission to ensure that the NIU dog was, now and forever more, a Huskie. And so it has been ever since. H-U-S-K-I-E-S – Go, Huskies!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
