“Forward, Together Forward...”

When the Northern Illinois University administration and community adopted those three words from the Huskie Fight Song to signify NIU’s determination to recover and overcome the tragic events of Feb. 14, the groups that make up the Huskie Athletics “family” – student-athletes, coaches and staff – felt a special charge to take those words to heart.

A year ago, Northern Illinois student-athletes were among the first to return to campus. When classes resumed, they proudly took spots in the front rows. Like so many on this campus, they were called to respond and to lead, and they did.

Within two weeks of last Feb. 14, Northern Illinois student-athletes were once again fanned out across the country, wearing the Huskie logo on the courts and playing fields, and representing their school with honor and pride.

But this time, the name “Northern Illinois” signified something completely different to the opponents and to the fans who saw our teams play – it reminded people of what happened on our campus.

There were moments of silence, there were well-wishers, there were cheers when before there was quiet or even boos.

Student-athletes gave interviews, not just based on their athletic ability, but based on the experience they shared with the whole campus community as students. In places such as Florida and Arizona, Texas and New York, NIU coaches and student-athletes served as a visible sign of the university’s heart and resolve.

While those official “remembrances” have diminished and the interview requests have gone away, the resolve of the NIU coaches and student-athletes to represent NIU with pride has never been stronger. Athletics’ connection to the entire campus and to the DeKalb community has grown over the past year.

Student-athletes are volunteering in record numbers. Teams are competing not only on the playing fields but to win the award for most service hours.

In the past year, the Huskie Fight Song has been sung louder and prouder at Northern Illinois athletic events than ever before. And while the “forward, together forward” refrain of the song has become well-known, the rest of the words seem kind of appropriate, and apply to all of us, too...

“Huskies, come on you Huskies
And make a score or two
Huskies, you’re Northern Huskies,
The team to pull us through
Forward, together forward
There’s victory in view
Come on you Huskies. Fight on you Huskies
And win for NIU.”

Editor’s Note: Donna Turner is the Associate Athletic Director for Communications at NIU.

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