I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

NFCA HONORS

2

2015 Schedule

3

NEW HUSKIES

4-5

ALUMNI

CORNER

6

Jersey Chasin

7

Huskie Beat N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

O N D E C K F O R

L A T E F A L L /

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 :

C A M P :

N O V E M B E R 1 6 T H

J A N U A R Y 1 8 T H

Dr. Mary Bell returned to NIU on September 27th to watch the NIU Huskies

defeat Rock Valley Community College and Heartland Community College.

It was her first time coming back to view the NIU Softball team in action this

season. The Huskies put on a good show for her scoring 27 runs in the two

games: NIU 17

Heartland 1

NIU 10

Rock Valley 2

The founder for NIU Women’s

Athletics:

Dr. Mary M. Bell began her career at

NIU in 1957 and ushered women's

athletics into the university. Bell's coaching experience ran the gamut of

sports on the NIU campus. At one time or another, she coached field hockey,

basketball, badminton, volleyball, swimming and softball between the years

1957 and 1976. The "founding mother" of NIU women's sports was inducted

into the NIU Hall of Fame in 1986. Bell was one of the first women in the

Hall of Fame, joining her former student-athletes Ruth Fender (1963-66) and

Jean Pankonin (1957-61). The softball field, named after Bell, was the third

field named after a Hall of Famer, following the Chick Evans Field House and

Ralph McKinzie Field. -Northern Star Staff, April 30, 2009.

Dr. Mary Bell’s Return to NIU

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Northern Illinois University softball team had 12 players named 2014

National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athletes, the organization an-

nounced Thursday.

Kaitlyn Barrett, Kristyn Barrett, Jordyn Bowen, Kayti Grable, Nicole Gremillion, Allyson

Hecht, Ashley Kopp, Kali Kossakowski, Shelby Miller, Emily Naegele, Bryanna

Phelan and Delani Vest were all honored for their work in the classroom.

“It’s been a big push of ours to turn our GPA around and we’re doing a good job of it,” said NIU Head Coach Christina

Sutcliffe. “Each year, we’ve climbed substantially. To have 12 players on the NFCA Academic team gives them the acco-

lade of how much they’re really putting into it.”

As a team, the Huskies ranked 26th in the country with a 3.437 GPA, which ranks fourth in the Mid-

American Conference. In addition, Miller adds to her academic awards af-

ter being named to the 2014 Academic All-MAC team in June, along with

honorable mention honorees Gremillion, Kopp and Phelan.

To receive the NFCA honor, the student-athlete must maintain a GPA of

3.5 or higher.

TWELVE HUSKIES EARN 2014 NFCA ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR ATHLETE HONORS

AAA DOZEN HUSKIES HONORED FOR MAINTAINING 3.5 GPA OR HIGHER 2/6-8 : Texas State Classic

2/6- vs. Pittsburgh 12:30pm

vs. Texas State 5:30pm

2/7– vs. Sam Houston State 3pm

vs. Pittsburgh 5:30pm

2/8- vs. Texas State 11am

2/20-22: Troy Invitational

2/20– vs. Mercer 12:30pm

vs. Troy 5:30pm

2/21– vs. Evansville 10am

vs. Troy 12:30pm

2/22– vs. UConn 10am

2/28-3/1: UTM Invitational

2/28– vs. IUPUI 9 am

vs. UT Martin 2pm

3/1– vs. Southeastern Louisiana

9am/11:15am

3/7-8: Coach B Classic

3/7– vs. Southern Illinois 10am

vs. Murray State 2pm

3/8- vs. DePaul 9am

vs. Southern Illinois 1pm

3/11–vs. Jacksonville @UCF 12pm

vs. UCF 5pm

3/13-3/15: Michele Smith Spring Break

Tournament

3/13- vs. Purdue 12:15pm

vs. Yale 5:30pm

3/14- vs. Canisius 10:15pm

vs. Quinnipiac 12:45pm

2/6-8 : Texas State Classic

2/6- vs. Pittsburgh 12:30pm

vs. Texas State 5:30pm

2/7– vs. Sam Houston State 3pm

vs. Pittsburgh 5:30pm

2/8- vs. Texas State 11am

2/20-22: Troy Invitational

2/20– vs. Mercer 12:30pm

vs. Troy 5:30pm

2/21– vs. Evansville 10am

vs. Troy 12:30pm

2/22– vs. UConn 10am

2/28-3/1: UTM Invitational

2/28– vs. IUPUI 9 am

vs. UT Martin 2pm

3/1– vs. Southeastern Louisiana

9am/11:15am

3/7-8: Coach B Classic

3/7– vs. Southern Illinois 10am

vs. Murray State 2pm

3/8- vs. DePaul 9am

vs. Southern Illinois 1pm

3/11–vs. Jacksonville @UCF 12pm

vs. UCF 5pm

3/13-3/15: Michele Smith Spring Break

Tournament

3/13- vs. Purdue 12:15pm

vs. Yale 5:30pm

3/14- vs. Canisius 10:15pm

vs. Quinnipiac 12:45pm

2015 NIU Softball Schedule 3/15- vs. UMass Lowell 8am

3/25: @ Illinois State 3pm

3/27: vs. Ohio 1pm

vs. Ohio 3pm

3/28- vs. Akron 2pm

3/29- vs. Akron 1pm

4/3– vs. Bowling Green 1pm/3pm

4/4- vs. Toledo 2pm

4/5- vs. Toledo 1pm

4/8– vs. Loyola 3pm/5pm

4/11– @ Western Michigan 1pm

4/12- @ Western Michigan 12pm

4/14– vs. Valpo 2pm/4pm

4/17– @ Miami 12pm/2pm

4/18- @ Ball State 1pm

4/19- @ Ball State 12pm

4/24– vs. Eastern Michigan 1pm/3pm

4/25- vs. Central Michigan 6pm

4/26- vs. Central Michigan 1pm

4/29- vs. UIC 5pm

5/1– @ Buffalo 12pm/2pm

5/2- @ Kent State 1pm

5/3- @ Kent State 12pm

5/6-9: MAC Tournament (Akron, OH)

P A G E 4

H U S K I E B E A T

Meet the Huskies... The 2015 NIU Huskie Softball team has 21 student-athletes:

5 Seniors, 2 Juniors, 6 Sophomores, and 8 Freshmen.

Jordyn Bowen Kayti Grable Kali Kossakowski Angela Roberts Becca Rupard Skylar Weinstein

Emily Naegele Caitlyn Warren

Seniors:

Caitlyn is a Junior transfer from the University of Wisconsin

who is originally from Naperville. She and her family have 15

pets including: 9 dogs, 4 cats, and 2 gold fish. She has two

brothers and two sisters: Alex, who is 22, Jared, who is 18,

Kelsey, who is 16, and Chloe, who is 11. Her favorite quote is:

“As human beings sometimes it’s better to stay in the dark.

Because in the dark there may be fear, but there is also hope.”-

Meredith Grey (Grey’s Anatomy).

Juniors:

Sophomores:

Kaitlyn Barrett Kristyn Barrett Ally Hecht Bry Phelan Jess Sturm

P A G E 5

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

Freshmen:

Ashley Evans #8: Favorite food: Chicken

Favorite Song: Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls

Favorite Vacation Spot: Nashville, TN

“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t slow down and look around you might

miss it.”

Alaynie Woollard #24: Favorite food: Mexican

Favorite Movie: A League of their Own

Pets?: Husky-Lexi, Cat-Ink

“I’ve worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my

goals. I will not let my teammates down, and I will not let myself down.”

Mia Hamm

Bekah Harnish #2: Favorite food: Pasta

Favorite Song: My Wish by Rascal Flatts

Favorite Vacation Spot: Family cabin in Northern Michigan

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and

the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game

and never looked back...play for her.” Mia Hamm

Haley Wroten #9: Favorite food: Chicken tenders

Favorite Movie: The Benchwarmers

Favorite Vacation Spot: Denver, Colorado

“Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is.”

Keegan Hayes #7: Favorite Food: Portillo’s Italian Beef

Favorite Book: Mind Gym by Gary Mack

Favorite Vacation Spot: Huntington Beach, California

“Discipline yourself so no one else has to.” Pat Summitt

Melaina Koulos #14: Favorite Food: Naf Naf Grill

Favorite Artist: Avett Brothers

Favorite Book: The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner

“I think. I am. I will.” -Ayn Rand, Anthem

Tara Thacker #10: Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Song: Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls

Favorite Vacation Spot: Hilton Head Island, SC

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and peti-

tion, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phillipians 4:6

Emma Ray #1: Favorite Food: Chipotle

Favorite Book: The Fault in our Stars

Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap

“Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” Muham-

mad Ali

Ashley Evans

Bekah Harnish

Alaynie Woollard

Keegan Hayes

Haley Wroten

Mel Koulos

Tara Thacker

Emma Ray

Alumni Corner Featuring: Jill (Justin) Coffell

Playing softball at NIU was an amazing stepping stone in my life. I came into Northern an imma-

ture 17 year old and left an educated woman. Dee Abrahamson and Donna Martin were

great leaders. They were the reason I had so much success on and off the field. We had such great

team camaraderie that I use that team as an example to all the other teams I've coached.

I played centerfield and batted third. My greatest moment was my junior year the team made it to

the college world series. It was an unbelievable year. NIU softball? Who are they? We sure let them

know. I remember bringing the biggest boom box and singing on road trips. We had a laughing box

stuffed animal that drove Dee and Donna crazy. I remember fun practical jokes with players and

coaches.

I'm entering my 25th year of teaching P.E. at Hamlin, a junior high school in Alsip. I have been

married 19 years to an amazing man named Joe. My son's name is Anthony. He is 16 and plays soc-

cer. My daughter's name is Samantha and plays softball and loves Coach Sut. I’m hoping in the fu-

ture she may follow in my footsteps and keep the Huskie softball tradition in our family.

Jersey Chasin’ Interested in buying your old jersey for old times sake or maybe to wear to an upcoming game? Be-

low are the pictures of the old jerseys we have in stock. You can receive your jersey with a check

made payable to NIU Softball for just $50. We will drop off or mail them at no additional costs!

Please email Heather at hhan@niu.edu if you are interested!!!

Available Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9,

10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 21, 22, 33, 35,

39, 99, 32, 28, 27, 25, 24, 19, 11, 6

Also 6 Blank

Available Numbers: 99, 35, 27, 24, 22, 19,

19, 18, 14, 11, 8, 7, 4, 3, 1

Also 2 Blanks

Available Numbers: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10,

12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31,

32, 33, 39, 99

Also 2 Blank

Available Numbers: 1, 8, 12, 16, 18, 10,

27, 32, 99

Available Numbers: 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 18,

19, 28, 33, 35, 39

Available Numbers: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12,

13, 14, 18, 19, 22, 24, 33, 35, 39, 99

Also 12 Blanks