Patrick Fisher’s tennis squad picked up its fourth win of the season today, with a 5-1 victory over Saint Louis at the Sunset Tennis Center. It was the second time in as many weeks that the team claimed a victory while losing only one point.
Maximilian Phillips
“We beat a team that we should beat, and we beat them pretty convincingly,” Fisher said. “The play at the bottom will be a key for us Sunday in Carbondale. We have to play a lot stronger there than we did today.
The Huskies (4-6) flexed their muscles early with dominant showings at the No. 1 and 3 singles flights. Reigning MAC Player of the Week Maksym Bartiuk recorded his third-straight victory in dominant fashion, 6-0, 6-1, over Joe Flanagan in the top flight. At No. 3, Axel Lagerlof continued his impressive first season at NIU, notching his sixth win, 6-0, 6-2 over Nishaad Balachandran. Bartiuk and Lagerlof remain tied atop the wins column for the Huskies.
At No. 5, Maximilian Phillips netted a 6-4, 6-2 win over Patrick Kella, while Roman Turtygin claimed the fourth straight-set victory of the day for the Huskies at No. 2. Behind a quick start, the Russian won the first set 6-1, before playing a much tighter second set, prevailing 7-5.
Despite dropping the first set convincingly, 6-1, Maksym Lagutin proved his mettle in flight four against Drew Feder, coming back and claiming the second set, 6-4. In a closely contested 10-point tiebreaker, the freshman was able to outlast his counterpart 10-8. In the sixth flight, Bryant Poggensee-Wei’s comeback attempt came up just short against Dave Welkener after he was unable to convert on three match points, falling 11-9 in the third set tiebreaker.
NIU will face Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., on Sunday at 9 a.m. CT.
Sophomore Maksym Bartiuk of the Northern Illinois men’s tennis team was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.
NIU sophomore Maksym Bartiuk reaches for a backhand shot during a match last fall.
Bartiuk earned a pair of singles victories playing at first singles for the Huskies against Eastern Illinois and Northwestern. He also claimed a doubles victory along with freshman Maksym Lagutin against EIU.
In singles play, Bartiuk opened the weekend on Friday with a straight-sets victory, 7-5, 6-1, over Eastern Illinois’ Michael Sperry, helping the Huskies earn a 6-1 dual match victory over the Panthers. Bartiuk and Lagutin also defeated EIU’s Jamie Firth and Matyas Hilgart, 8-4, at number one doubles.
The following day, Bartiuk won a tight three-set match against Joshua Graves of No. 69-ranked Northwestern. Bartiuk took the first set handily, 6-1, before dropping the second, 3-6, but recovered to win the third set 7-5. The victory improved Bartiuk’s singles record to 5-4 this spring.
Bartiuk’s weekly honor was the first of the season for the Huskies and the second for Bartiuk in his career. The sophomore was also named MAC Player of the Week on April 14, 2010.
The Huskies return to action this weekend with a pair of road matches. NIU travels to Saint Louis University on Friday, Feb. 25, before meeting Southern Illinois in Carbondale on Sunday, Feb. 27.
Date posted: February 23, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on Maksym Bartiuk named MAC Player of the Week
Gov. Quinn laid out his budget plans for Fiscal Year 2012 last Wednesday to mixed reviews.
The $35.4 billion in general revenue funds expenditure, $1.7 billion dollars higher than last year, supports no new programs, provides additional headcount for agencies including the Departments of Revenue and Corrections, and provides for the state’s increased payments for health insurance and pension costs.
Ken Zehnder
While public universities were “level-funded” in the Governor’s Proposed Budget for FY2012, an additional $25 million was recommended to enhance the Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) for Illinois’ neediest college students. The governor outlined priorities including job creation, global competitiveness, ongoing capital investment and additional pension/budget reforms.
A major component of the Quinn budget plan is $8.75 billion in state borrowing to pay current obligations.
One proposal, Senate Bill 3, would use a portion of the revenue from the state income tax increase to pay back borrowed funds over a 14-year period. Much debate is expected over the borrowing issue, as Republicans are generally united in opposition to this proposal without additional cuts in operations.
State Treasurer Dan Rutherford has conceded that a short-term restructuring of existing debt is necessary to gain some credibility with vendors, and to reduce interest costs. However, the state treasurer suggests a much shorter payback period.
This payback period will be a heavily debated issue among legislators along with disagreement over cuts to social service and state agencies, as well as education, along with attempts to continue reforms in state employee pensions and benefits.
All four leaders of the legislative caucuses have expressed varying degrees of reservations to the budget proposals. Any borrowing package would require a three-fifths majority, meaning some bipartisan support would be necessary for passage. However, given the Democratic member concerns, a variety of alternative plans are expected to be presented.
The legislative calendar is scheduled to run until the end of May. If past history prevails, flowers will be blooming well before a final compromise is crafted.
The House of Representatives returns to Springfield this week while the Illinois State Senate will return the week of Feb. 28.
The Voices section of NIU Today features opinions and perspectives from across campus. Ken Zehnder is director of state and local relations for NIU.
Date posted: February 23, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on Statehouse update: Gov. Quinn presents FY2012 budget plan
Sophomore forward Kim Davis led NIU with 14 points in the Huskies' 59-45 victory over CMU on Wednesday night.
Kathi Bennett’s teams are known for defense. On Wednesday night at the Convocation Center, the nation’s third-best scoring team found out why.
The Northern Illinois women’s basketball team stifled, pressured, contested and limited Central Michigan to 38 points below their scoring average in a 59-45 victory. The Chippewas, who entered the game averaging an outlandish 83.2 points per game, shot just 26.7 percent from the field and saw their four-game winning streak come to a startling halt.
“I’m so proud of our whole team,” Bennett, who is in her first year at NIU, said. “They had intensity about them the whole game.”
The Huskies improved to 5-7 in Mid-American Conference play, and 11-14 overall, surpassing their 2009-10 win totals in both categories. After starting the conference season with four straight losses, NIU is 5-3 in MAC games. Central Michigan, which entered the game as the second-best team in the MAC West Division, lost for the first time in three weeks, falling to 16-8 and 8-4 in league play.
Northern Illinois proved to be up to the challenge of defending the highest scoring team in the league from the opening tip. Central Michigan started the game with three straight misses and never found the daylight to get its up-tempo offense on track. A pair of early 3-pointers by freshman Niki DiGuilio kept CMU’s attack on life support as the Chips scored only 10 points in the game’s opening 10 minutes.
Leading 12-10, NIU went on an 11-4 run to go up by nine. The Huskies continued to constrict Central Michigan to take a 30-17 lead before Kaihla Szunko put in back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to nine at halftime. Marke Freeman led the way for NIU with 10 points while Ebony Ellis has 10 rebounds in the first half.
“Ebony was so locked in and had so much energy,” Bennett said. “There is such a difference when she is not on the floor with our rebounding.”
The Huskies jumped on CMU out of locker room, scoring the half’s first five points. NIU built on the lead with defense, smothering Chippewa shooters to just 7-of-25 from the field in the second half.
“The second half wasn’t as pretty as the first, but we found a way to gut it out and get the win,” Bennett said.
Northern Illinois led by as many as 22 points, their largest advantage of the season, and the 14-point win was the widest margin of victory this year. Sophomore Kim Davis led a balanced Huskie attack with 14 points. Freeman tallied 13, with junior Courtney Shelton totaling 13 and Ellis finishing the night with 11. Central Michigan, which has five players average double-figure scoring, had only Szunko break into double digits with 10.
Northern Illinois plays three of its last four regular season games on the road, including this Saturday’s contest at Eastern Michigan, which is set for a 1 p.m. tip-off.
Date posted: February 16, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on Huskies stifle Central Michigan
With interest in the Northern Illinois football program on the rise following a school record-breaking 11-win football season in 2010, Huskie Athletics announced its 2011 football season ticket packages and released ticket prices and policies for the 2011 NIU home game versus Wisconsin, which will be played at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2011.
Northern Illinois will play six home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb in 2011, and welcomes the Big Ten’s Badgers to Chicago’s lakefront for Soldier Field Showdown II on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Huskies’ 2007 season-opening contest versus Iowa at Soldier Field, the first college football game played at the historic stadium since its renovation, attracted a sell-out crowd of 61,500.
NIU officials are encouraging Northern Illinois fans to purchase 2011 football season tickets now in order to take advantage of the discount on NIU-Wisconsin tickets provided to full season ticket holders. In addition, HASF donors and NIU season ticket holders can order their tickets to Soldier Field Showdown II in advance, before tickets are released for sale to the general public on May 9.
“I know that Northern Illinois fans have been looking forward to the 2011 football season ever since we celebrated our great bowl game victory in Boise,” said NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher. “There is so much excitement around the program right now, and with six games at Huskie Stadium and the excitement of Soldier Field Showdown II versus Wisconsin in Chicago, this is the year to buy NIU football season tickets. The time to get on board with Huskie Football is now.”
NIU is accepting orders for football season tickets from both renewing and new fans beginning this Saturday, Feb. 12 with the priority deadline for those groups to send in their 2011 orders Saturday, April 30, 2011. Football season ticket holders (full season only) and Huskie Athletic Support Fund donors can order tickets to the Northern Illinois-Wisconsin game starting Saturday as well. Both season tickets and Soldier Field Showdown II tickets can be ordered online beginning Saturday night through the Huskies’ new football ticket website at www.huskiefootball2011.com or by clicking the Tickets link at www.NIUHuskies.com and going to the football ticket section.
Donors and 2010 season ticket holders are also invited to pick up, fill out and turn in their renewal forms in person, and meet new NIU Head Football Coach Dave Doeren and his staff, at the 2011 HASF Kickoff, a free event which will be held from 1-3 p.m. this Saturday in the NIU Convocation Center’s Victor E. Court. To pick up a free ticket to the NIU-Kent State men’s basketball game (a game ticket is required for entry), contact NIU Athletics at 815-753-1923 by Friday. The renewal form can be filled out and returned to NIU Athletics at a later date and NIU staffers will be on hand to answer questions. All 2010 season ticket holders, including mini-plans, and Huskie Athletic Support Fund donors will receive their renewal packets in the mail next week if they are not picked up Saturday.
For 2011, season ticket prices are set at $99 for all six games at Huskie Stadium, with the pricing for NIU faculty and staff, NIU Varsity Club and NIU Alumni Association members, along with senior citizens (62 and older) at $88. Season ticket holders receive a 33 percent discount compared to single-game ticket prices and are guaranteed the same seat for all six Huskie Stadium games. In addition, season ticket holders have the opportunity to purchase NIU-Wisconsin tickets now and are the only group that can receive a $15 discount on Soldier Field Showdown II tickets in numbers equal to the number of season tickets purchased. (Example: If Harry Huskie has four NIU full season tickets, he can buy four tickets to the Soldier Field game at the discounted rate. He can purchase additional tickets at the public price.)
For NIU football full season ticket owners, tickets to Soldier Field Showdown II can be purchased for $45 (upper levels), $60 (lower level and midfield) or $75 (club seats) in numbers equal to the number of season tickets purchased. The general public prices are $60, $75 and $90 at each of those respective levels. To receive the discounted rate, you MUST be a football season ticket holder (full season). HASF donors who are not football season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets at the public price only from Feb. 12 through April 30, and will receive priority in seating locations as seats will be allocated based on the HASF loyalty point system. Northern Illinois students will have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to Soldier Field Showdown II in the designated student section for $25 during the 2011 Spring Semester. More information on student tickets for that game will be sent to students at a later date.
Northern Illinois will also once again offer the popular three-game Season Ticket Mini-Plan in 2011, with fans selecting any three home games at Huskie Stadium for just $50. The Mini-Plan option offers a 31 percent discount compared to single game pricing, as well as the same seat location for all three games. Mini-Plan purchasers will be eligible to order their tickets to Soldier Field Showdown II (at the public price) in advance, as soon as the 2011 NIU football schedule is released and they have made their game selections.
The priority ticket deadline for NIU season ticket holders – both returning and new – and HASF donors is Saturday, April 30, 2011. Allocation of seats at both Huskie Stadium and at Soldier Field will begin after that time with HASF donors receiving priority (based on loyalty points), followed by season ticket holders (who are not donors) in date order received. On May 9, tickets to the NIU-Wisconsin game will be released for sale to the general public and seat locations cannot be promised after that date.
“We know there are going to be a lot of questions and we are more than happy to answer them all,” said NIU Asssociate Athletic Director Shelley Binegar. “We encourage fans to go to our website at both www.NIUHuskies.com and at www.huskiefootball2011.com, read the Frequently Asked Questions and look at the price listings and stadium diagrams. Fans can call, send us an e-mail or drop by our offices in the Convocation Center. We want to make the process as easy as possible, and fill both Huskie Stadium and Soldier Field with Cardinal and Black this fall.”
Members of the NIU Athletics staff are available to answer questions about season tickets and Soldier Field Showdown II tickets during normal business hours (M-F, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at 815-753-1923 and can be reached via e-mail at huskieathleticsupportfund@niu.edu.
Northern Illinois University’s main campus in DeKalb, and all regional NIU Educational Centers (Hoffman Estates, Rockford, Naperville) will re-open and resume operations Friday, February 4.
Classes will resume at NIU’s main campus in DeKalb, at all regional NIU Educational Centers (Hoffman Estates, Rockford, Naperville), and at other off-campus sites on Friday, February 4.
During these winter months, all students, faculty and staff are urged to use caution and personal judgment in their travels to and from campus and to dress appropriately for protection against cold temperatures and wind chills.
Updates on the operational status for NIU campus locations, and winter weather advisory and warning information can be found on the NIU Winter Weather Information website at http://www.niu.edu/emergencyinfo/weather.
Check for National Weather Service Winter Weather Watches, Warnings or Advisories for your location:
The blizzard that roared through northern Illinois Tuesday night and Wednesday morning did nothing to interrupt the momentum of first-year Northern Illinois Head Coach Dave Doeren and his coaching staff, even if they couldn’t access their offices to receive the first fax transmissions of signed National Letters of Intent until 8:30 a.m. Central, nearly two-and-a-half hours into the signing period.
When the roads around the Yordon Center were cleared and the coaches got to the fax machine, they found the signatures of an impressive group of 22 future Huskies. The list includes 10 defensive players, 10 offensive players and two specialists, one of which is also listed at linebacker.
The key to the group, according to Doeren, was “fit.”
“We found some guys that really fit our profile of NIU football players,” Doeren said. “They are tough, hard-nosed, physical, dependable guys. We found guys from winning programs, guys who have won state championships. I am very pleased with this class. I don’t think anyone got signed because we needed a name on the list. These are guys that we feel are good enough to play and be here at Northern Illinois. We are adding these guys to our family and I’m not going to take a guy just to take him. I feel really excited and very proud of this group of men that are joining our team, our family.”
The newest Huskies hail from eight different states as Doeren and his staff scattered throughout the country to ink this year’s names. Northern Illinois signed six players from Missouri and five from Florida, areas Doeren has recruited over the last several years, and brought in four players from Illinois and three from Wisconsin. Indiana, Ohio, Arizona and Kansas will send one player each to NIU.
Redshirt freshman guard Antone Christian's career-high 15 points included a game-tying 3-point FG late in regulation.
The Northern Illinois men’s basketball team dropped a 73-70 overtime decision to Bowling Green Wednesday night at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies forced the extra session after trailing by eight with two minutes left in regulation but came up short in the extra five minutes. Senior guard Xavier Silas led NIU with 23 points and redshirt freshman guard Antone Christian scored 15 off the bench.
“Give credit to Bowling Green, they understand how to play and are a disciplined team,” said NIU head coach Ricardo Patton. “Anytime you play against a zone you have to make shots and we just didn’t make enough plays.”
Freshman forward Nate Rucker had his second career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds but fouled out a minute into the overtime.
Bowling Green shot 41.3 percent (26-of-63) from the field in the contest while holding NIU to 36.5 percent (23-of-63) shooting.
For more on this game and additional information on Huskie men’s basketball logon to www.NIUHuskies.com.
Date posted: February 3, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on NIU falls short in overtime to Bowling Green
Due to the dangerous frigid temperatures and wind chill advisory issued by the National Weather Service, all classes at Northern Illinois University’s main campus in DeKalb, at all regional NIU Educational Centers (Hoffman Estates, Rockford, Naperville), and at other off-campus sites will be canceled on Thursday, February 3.
NIU’s main campus in DeKalb will be closed Thursday. NIU’s regional centers in Naperville and Hoffman Estates will remain open to serve previously scheduled clients.
Essential service areas will continue operations in order to meet the needs of our students and to maintain campus security, utilities, and snow removal. Among these, the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management has determined that the following departments are essential and will continue to provide service to our students during the closure: Housing & Dining, Health Services and Recreation Services.
Huskie Bus service will run its Weekend Scheduled routes Thursday, February 3. Students are encouraged to utilize the Huskie Bus Tracker GPS system to monitor bus locations and to avoid waiting outside for Huskie buses.
NIU’s Late Night Ride Service in DeKalb resumed operations at 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 2. The late night ride service will continue to operate Thursday, February 3, 2011.
An update regarding the status of university classes and operations for Friday, Feb. 4 will be provided by 8:00 pm Thursday, February 3.
During these winter months, all students, faculty and staff are urged to use caution and personal judgment in their travels to and from campus and to dress appropriately for protection against cold temperatures and wind chills.
Updates on the operational status for NIU campus locations, and winter weather advisory and warning information can be found on the NIU Winter Weather Information website at http://www.niu.edu/emergencyinfo/weather.
Check for National Weather Service Winter Weather Watches, Warnings or Advisories for your location:
Date posted: February 2, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on Classes at NIU main campus, education centers and off-campus sites canceled Thursday, February 3rd; NIU’s main campus in DeKalb remains closed
The National Weather Service has cancelled the Blizzard Warning for all NIU campus locations.
NIU’s Late Night Ride Service will resume operation at 4 p.m. today.
The NIU men’s basketball game against Bowling Green will be played as scheduled tonight at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center. Admission and parking are FREE. Fans attending the game should park in Convocation Center lot C-2, the parking area immediately southeast of the arena.
An update regarding the status of university classes and operations for Thursday, Feb. 3, will be provided today by 6 p.m.
Date posted: February 2, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on Late Night Ride Service resumes, Huskie basketball game on for Wednesday night
The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday moved to temporarily block a state appeals court ruling that tossed out a $31 billion capital construction program.
Stevens Building
The latest court ruling allows NIU’s plans for renovation of the Stevens Building, planning funds for a computer technology learning emporium and infrastructure work around campus to move forward while state supreme court justices decide whether to overturn the lower court’s ruling or to hear the state’s appeal.
Last week the Illinois Appellate Court struck down 2009 legislation that hiked taxes on alcoholic beverages and created new taxes on candy and personal grooming projects. Among other things, it also cleared the way for video gambling in bars around the state and privatization of the lottery. Money from those sources was to be used to help fund the projects in the capital bill.
The capital bill included $22 million in funding to remodel and renovate the Stevens Building, and $2 million to plan a new “technology emporium,” as well as millions of dollars for various infrastructure projects and re-appropriation of funds for ongoing capital projects.
Funding for the renovation of Cole Hall and a series of other campus improvements to be funded by bonds sold in December 2010 were not affected by last week’s Appellate Court ruling.
The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety is urging the campus community to take special precautions during the current period of extreme winter weather conditions.
Stay indoors if possible
Residents should have a battery operated radio, extra blankets, and a three-day supply of essentials such as water, non-perishable foods, first-aid supplies, medication, pet supplies, and batteries.
Prepare a list of family and emergency contact numbers and make sure your cell phone is charged.
Know where the nearest shelter is located in case of loss of power or heat for an extended period of time.
If going out side
Wear warm, loose-fitting layers of clothing. Keep your mouth covered to protect your lungs.
Wear hats that cover your ears and waterproof, insulated boots.
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Avoid texting while walking.
Walk carefully on sidewalks.
Avoid walking in streets to reduce the chance of being struck by motorized vehicles.
Shoveling Snow
Dress appropriately.
Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water.
Don’t over exert yourself.
Shovel in shifts. For example, shovel every few hours and switch with other people, if possible.
Drive only if necessary
If driving is necessary keep vehicle gas tank should filled to avoid fuel lines from freezing.
Maintain an emergency supply kit, blankets, flashlights, batteries, extra clothing, food, jumper cables, a shovel, a tow-strap, and appropriate footwear in your trunk.
Make sure that mobile phone is fully charged.
Allow for additional travel time.
Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Allow extra time and distance when coming to a stop.
If you get stuck in your car, stay in your car. Do not leave your vehicle!
Run engine to keep warm.
Use caution when shutting down vehicle while stranded. The vehicle may not restart in severely cold weather conditions.
Due to current extreme winter weather travel conditions NIU Late Night Ride services will be suspended for the remainder of Tuesday evening, February 1. Late Night Ride services will resume once local travel conditions improve. NIU Police and local public safety agencies will remain on call throughout the duration of the current winter weather emergency.
Updates on the operational status for NIU campus locations, and winter weather advisory and warning information can be found on the NIU Winter Weather Information website at http://www.niu.edu/emergencyinfo/weather.
Date posted: February 1, 2011 | Author: Bradley Hoey | Comments Off on Public safety officials stress caution during winter storms
