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Huskie jersey auction to benefit local charities

August 7, 2014

Corn Fest JerseysNIU’s connection to the local community and DeKalb County run deep, and those ties, as well as President Doug Baker’s continuing emphasis on maintaining and building the “communiversity” connection, are the inspiration behind the 2014 Corn Fest jerseys that the Huskies will wear in the Aug. 28 season opener at Huskie Stadium.

In addition to recognizing the region’s agricultural roots, the special Corn Fest jerseys will be auctioned online to benefit three worthy local causes.

Proceeds from the auction will be split among the Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb, Boy Scout Troop 33 and the Canaday Family, a local family whose eighth-grade son, Christopher, was born with pulmonary atresia and has had 34 surgeries during his young life.

Additionally, Christopher’s father, Mark, an NIU employee, is battling esophageal cancer.

Fans can bid on the jerseys beginning Friday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m., and the only way to obtain one of the special jerseys is through the online auction site. Bidding will close at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

NIU Head Coach Rod Carey said he is happy that Huskie Football can be involved with promoting an event like Corn Fest and helping several worthy organizations in the community, as well as the Canaday family.

CF_logo_14“Partnering with the community is always important, so when Lisa Angel and her group at Corn Fest brought us this opportunity, we couldn’t say no,” Carey said. “They introduced us to the Canaday family and just knowing their story, I couldn’t think of a better family and cause. Mark and Christopher will be our honorary captains for this game and we’ll be honored to have them with us.

“Then you talk about the Voluntary Action Center and the Boy Scouts. Groups like these are what make our community tick. They do so much for other people in this community and for Corn Fest, and we are just trying to do our part to be good partners and good citizens.”

“I hope this community and Huskie fans everywhere will go online and support these causes and this game,” Carey said. “Our team is going to be really proud to represent NIU and our home area wearing these jerseys in Huskie Stadium on Aug. 28.”

Those benefiting from the Corn Fest jersey auction are prime examples of the spirit of service and perseverance that exists throughout DeKalb County said Lisa Angel, Corn Fest chairperson.

“The groups that will benefit from this auction are people that go above and beyond for Corn Fest and for this community,” Angel said. “Thanks to Coach Carey and the NIU Huskies for allowing us this honor, helping to promote our community festival and enabling us to give back to this area as well.”

Corn Fest is an annual tradition that dates back 36 years in DeKalb County and is annually one of the highlight events on the county’s calendar. The Huskies’ football game on Aug. 28 will serve as the unofficial kickoff to this year’s Corn Fest which will be held Aug. 29-31 on Lincoln Highway in downtown DeKalb.

Jersey bidFor more information, visit www.cornfest.com.

Tickets to the NIU-Presbyterian game, and to every home game this season, are on sale at www.niuhuskies.com or by calling (815) 753-PACK (7225). Single game tickets on the West Side of Huskie Stadium are priced at $40, $36 and $25 each, depending on location, with discounts available for senior citizens and groups of 25 or more.

Season tickets offer the best value for the best seats at Huskie Stadium at a cost of just $110 for all five 2014 home games. Season ticket holders receive a gift and invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events in addition to the same seat for every game.

Members of the NIU Alumni Association, senior citizens and NIU faculty and staff receive a $15 discount on every season ticket.