Who is Diesel? He's the real life mascot for the NIU and runs across the field every time a touchdown is scored by the Huskies. A fan favorite, Diesel goes around before games and befriends everyone in the tailgating area. He is an essential part of the tradition here at Northern Illinois and the ladies love him. I will honor him by naming the news and notes (hopefully daily) in his honor. Let's start this off:
- The Daily Chronicle's John Sahly talks with NIU AD Jeff Compher about schedule rumors and a timetable for the indoor practice facility.
"This is over a three-year plan. What I'm hoping for is in the next three years is to actually put a plan in place. We've got to be cognizant of where we are economically but our program needs are still there.
"It's something I want to keep on the front burner but I don't want it to be a distraction for our community. I think Toledo is building one right now. We'll be one of three schools in the conference that don't have one after that. Will we start this anytime soon? I don't know. I think we've got the support out there from people who are willing to help us, we've just got to keep in mind where we are economically."
My take: Compher wants to build an indoor practice facility, but I think it's pretty easy to read here that NIU doesn't have the funds for it yet.
Three years isn't exactly what I expected to hear from Compher in this situation. Obviously, the economy is hurting us a little bit.
- NIU Women's Soccer announces their 2009 recruiting class. Jerry Burnes of the Northern Star goes in to detail about the class.
- The NIU women's Track & Field team travels to Muncie, IN on Friday for the Ball State Quadranular, their last tune-up before the MAC Championships.
- Women's Basketball shot free throws Wednesday to help raise money to fight breast cancer.
- Former Huskie OT Chris Acevedo signs with arena football team the Milwaukee Iron.
- Mississippi State's new baseball coach Mark Cohen will be making his debut against the Huskies this friday @ 5 PM.
- Northern Star writers Ben Gross and Chris Dertz go head to head talking about what has happened to the attendance of the Convo.
- And in the "really, we're still talking about this???" department, a ULL alum writes a letter to the Shreveport Times expressing his disappointment that the Ragin' Cajuns were'nt picked for the Independence Bowl. Where have you been, buddy?
Larry English Watch
- Sports Illustrated's Bucky Brooks ranks Larry English as the 4th best Linebacker in the entire draft.
- Fanhouse surveyed several Mock Drafts that have Larry English going all over the board.
- Pro Football Weekly lists Larry English as their 29th best overall prospect.
- PFW also lists English 4th at OLB and Andy Dittbenner as their 8th overall Punter.
- An unnamed NFL scout likes what he sees from English:
[Northern Illinois'] Larry English is a good pass rusher. He was an undersized guy. He is a linebacker who ended up at end. Most teams have him as a linebacker. He has a great motor and plays hard. He doesn't have many holes.
- Jim Owczarski of the Beacon News caught up with Larry English, who has been specializing his training for the combine.
He impressed again at the Senior Bowl in January and has been preparing for the draft at the Wellness Performance Institute in Suwanee, Ga., under the guidance of former NFL All-Pro defensive end Chuck Smith.
"Chuck does training for guys getting ready for the draft and specifically works with defensive ends, outside linebackers," English said. "He has a proven program for defensive linemen and pass rushers. I met him and felt comfortable with him and I've been here since the week after the Senior Bowl."