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Published on Wednesday, December 31, 1969
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Creator of the NIU fight song to turn 100


By NORTHERN STAR STAFF
Last updated on 09/03/2009 at 11:47 a.m.

The father of the NIU fight song is celebrating a milestone birthday.

Former NIU swim coach Francis Stroup turns 100 this weekend. Stroup led 13 Huskies to the NCAA College Division Championships from 1960 to 1968 and rewrote the lyrics to A. Neil Annas’ “Loyalty Song.” “The Huskie Fight Song” was first published in the Northern Star on Nov. 17, 1961.

After the Feb. 14 shootings, Stroup’s song took on new meaning and became more than just a game-time fight song. The words “Forward, Together Forward” became the campus-wide rallying cry for a campus in mourning.

Stoup celebrates his 100th birthday with family and friends at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center’s Vista Room, 2944 Greenwood Acres Drive, on Sept. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m.

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