As 2017 comes to a close, we will be wrapping up our fundraising for the Diesel Memorial sculpture.
For anyone who may not know, the life size bronze sculpture has been installed on the west side of Huskie Stadium in the grassy area between the west grandstand & the Yordon Center. It looks amazing & if you have not yet seen it - be sure to go by & high five with Diesel anytime you are at NIU.

Our initial costs for the project we estimated at $25,000. Thankfully, we ended up coming in at $20,000 for the sculpture & some additional cost for the plaque that was mounted on the base.

At this time, we are just $850 short of paying off our debt completely. Looking for a last minute tax deduction? The Diesel Memorial Project is a not for profit 501 C (3) .

Thanks to all of you who have supported the memorial - it really turned out even better than we ever could have imagined! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone. GO HUSKIES!!!

https://www.gofundme.com/uqs9qmrn

Is the statue still going to be moved around or is this where it always will be?
I would like to see it outside the convo on game day.

Great job!

HFA, what a wonderful thing to have done for NIU. Thank you and your team that led this project for your leadership, your confidence and your persistence.

Yes, great job.

Sent from my SM-T820 using CSNbbs mobile app

(12-18-2017 04:10 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Is the statue still going to be moved around or is this where it always will be?
I would like to see it outside the convo on game day.

Thanks for asking about this. Originally, yes - NIU wanted it to be movable. But they changed their minds & decided it was best to mount it permanently.

It is in a permanent location mounted on a concrete base on the west side of Huskie Stadium.

I am very proud to have been a part of this project. Working with HuskieBob - Bob Smith, Tom Bonnevier, Rick Radek & Renee Bemis has been a real privilege. This sculpture is a gift to all Huskie fans for many years to come. It took many people to make it happen. Thanks to all who donated & supported our efforts.

(12-20-2017 12:19 PM)HuskieFootball Addictpid='14914780 Wrote:  I am very proud to have been a part of this project. Working with HuskieBob - Bob Smith, Tom Bonnevier, Rick Radek & Renee Bemis has been a real privilege. This sculpture is a gift to all Huskie fans for many years to come. It took many people to make it happen. Thanks to all who donated & supported our efforts.

Adding thanks and appreciation to Huskie Football Addict all of you (above in bold) from the initial idea to the many steps in between. Stopped by the bank today in order to get the needed amount down to $600, so challenge to everyone who is convinced I'm always negative.....it's your turn.

(12-20-2017 10:47 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 12:19 PM)HuskieFootball Addictpid='14914780 Wrote:  I am very proud to have been a part of this project. Working with HuskieBob - Bob Smith, Tom Bonnevier, Rick Radek & Renee Bemis has been a real privilege. This sculpture is a gift to all Huskie fans for many years to come. It took many people to make it happen. Thanks to all who donated & supported our efforts.

Adding thanks and appreciation to Huskie Football Addict all of you (above in bold) from the initial idea to the many steps in between. Stopped by the bank today in order to get the needed amount down to $600, so challenge to everyone who is convinced I'm always negative.....it's your turn.

uiniu57- thank you THANK YOU!!! That was an awesome thing to do. And at the bank directly so no loss of fees to go fund me!

(12-21-2017 09:48 AM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  uiniu57- thank you THANK YOU!!! That was an awesome thing to do. And at the bank directly so no loss of fees to go fund me!

Appreciate but didn't really expect this kind note from you especially when my intent was to emphasize the gratitude to you specifically and everyone else who made this wonderful idea a reality.
But I figure I'll use this forum to say Merry Christmas to you, everyone on the Dog Pound (including those who that believe I'm not positive enough) and all of Huskie Nation.
Best wishes to coach Carey and everyone in the NIU football program as well as all of our athletes, so many of whom will be sacrificing much of the holiday to proudly represent Northern Illinois athletics.

(12-23-2017 09:52 AM)uiniu57 Wrote:  

(12-21-2017 09:48 AM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  uiniu57- thank you THANK YOU!!! That was an awesome thing to do. And at the bank directly so no loss of fees to go fund me!

Appreciate but didn't really expect this kind note from you especially when my intent was to emphasize the gratitude to you specifically and everyone else who made this wonderful idea a reality.
But I figure I'll use this forum to say Merry Christmas to you, everyone on the Dog Pound (including those who that believe I'm not positive enough) and all of Huskie Nation.
Best wishes to coach Carey and everyone in the NIU football program as well as all of our athletes, so many of whom will be sacrificing much of the holiday to proudly represent Northern Illinois athletics.

Happy New Year

As a final note for a great accomplishment made in 2017 - the Diesel Memorial Project - I wanted to let everyone know that the total cost amount of the Diesel bronze sculpture ended up at $20,000. Over all we were just a few hundred short of what we needed ( amazing! great job everyone who donated!) & some very generous folks on the Board of Directors made up the difference.

There is a plaque that is mounted on the base of the sculpture. The plaque - for those who are not in the area to see it reads:
____________________________________________________________
Diesel
Diesel, beloved member of our Huskie family, became a symbol of N.I.U. football when he was shown giving his "High Five" after a Huskie score during a nationally televised game on November 13, 2013. Between 2005 and 2013, Diesel patrolled the sidelines and helped celebrate scores in virtually every home, away and Bowl game the Huskies played.
This Memorial was made possible through the donations of hundreds of N.I.U. Alumni, Corporate sponsors, students, and fans.
Dedicated October 26, 2017.
_____________________________________________________________


I hope to see many many pictures of fans & kids on facebook high fiving with Diesel. Be sure to tag Diesel H when you share your pictures. Thanks all.

GO HUSKIES!