George “Chick” Evans has his fingerprints all over the modern day look of NIU athletics. Evans served as the athletic director from 1929 to 1968 and initiated the plan for the Huskies to enter NCAA Division I-A status. He expanded the number of sports programs from four in 1929 to 11 and revamped facilities that included Huskie Stadium, Ralph McKinzie Field, Chick Evans Field House and more. Evans served as the head coach in football (1929-1954), basketball (1929-40), baseball (1930-34, 1936-44, 1946-47) and golf (1940-46). While coaching he won over 100 games in football (132), basketball (125) and baseball (126). He led NIU to 12 league titles with six in football, two in basketball, three in golf and one in baseball. In 1940 Evans chaired the committee that adopted the nickname “Huskies” and the mascot. “Chick” was a charter member of the NIU Hall of Fame, which he helped provide momentum for, and is also a member of the Helms Athletic Foundation Football Hall of Fame.

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