(12-01-2013 10:23 AM)Max Power Wrote:  http://www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_a..._id=599124

DEKALB — Now that this is the college gridiron capital of Illinois, it seems only fitting that the biggest show in prep football makes an appearance as well.

When the Big Ten revamped its schedules to give Illinois a home game every other year over Thanksgiving weekend, the Illinois High School Association had to figure out what to do with the state football finals.

One option would have been to say goodbye entirely to Champaign-Urbana, which wouldn’t have disappointed everyone. Illinois’ Memorial Stadium seats more than 70,000 fans and with crowds never more than a fraction of that, the atmosphere of state title games sometimes can leave something to be desired.

But coaches and players I’ve talked to are more than willing to overlook the tens of thousands of empty seats for a chance to play in a Big Ten venue. That’s something only a handful of prep players will ever get to experience again at the next level.

Northern Illinois, the team that calls Huskie Stadium home, has been on a roll lately. And, with Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch leading the way, is playing at a higher level than either of the state’s Big Ten teams.

But how does Huskie Stadium stack up as a venue for the prep state championship games?

It’s better than the IHSA playoffs’ original home, Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium, which felt like a super-sized high school field.

What is with the lack of food at concession stands. Terrible.


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(12-01-2013 11:20 AM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  What is with the lack of food at concession stands. Terrible.


Sent from my iPhone.

Easy fix. Several of the local restaurants and meat markets wanted to do a "Taste of DeKalb" concession area. Evidently, it didn't fly with NIU.

(12-01-2013 11:20 AM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 10:23 AM)Max Power Wrote:  http://www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_a..._id=599124

DEKALB — Now that this is the college gridiron capital of Illinois, it seems only fitting that the biggest show in prep football makes an appearance as well.

When the Big Ten revamped its schedules to give Illinois a home game every other year over Thanksgiving weekend, the Illinois High School Association had to figure out what to do with the state football finals.

One option would have been to say goodbye entirely to Champaign-Urbana, which wouldn’t have disappointed everyone. Illinois’ Memorial Stadium seats more than 70,000 fans and with crowds never more than a fraction of that, the atmosphere of state title games sometimes can leave something to be desired.

But coaches and players I’ve talked to are more than willing to overlook the tens of thousands of empty seats for a chance to play in a Big Ten venue. That’s something only a handful of prep players will ever get to experience again at the next level.

Northern Illinois, the team that calls Huskie Stadium home, has been on a roll lately. And, with Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch leading the way, is playing at a higher level than either of the state’s Big Ten teams.

But how does Huskie Stadium stack up as a venue for the prep state championship games?

It’s better than the IHSA playoffs’ original home, Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium, which felt like a super-sized high school field.

What is with the lack of food at concession stands. Terrible.


Sent from my iPhone.

What is so tough on stocking up on hot dogs? It is not like NIU never had this problem before. Everybody knows that high school kids are eating all the time.

Taste of Dekalb would have been nice. Classy

(12-01-2013 12:09 PM)7huskie6 Wrote:  Taste of Dekalb would have been nice. Classy

I'm sure bringing in outside vendors opens up tons of liability issues.

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(12-01-2013 12:18 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 12:09 PM)7huskie6 Wrote:  Taste of Dekalb would have been nice. Classy

I'm sure bringing in outside vendors opens up tons of liability issues.

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Doubt that's a significant obstacle. Other MAC stadiums do it. There was a BWW and several others inside Kelly/Shorts in Mt. Pleasant.

(12-01-2013 01:46 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 12:18 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 12:09 PM)7huskie6 Wrote:  Taste of Dekalb would have been nice. Classy

I'm sure bringing in outside vendors opens up tons of liability issues.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Doubt that's a significant obstacle. Other MAC stadiums do it. There was a BWW and several others inside Kelly/Shorts in Mt. Pleasant.

Yeah and we had Lukulos this year.

(12-01-2013 11:58 AM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 11:20 AM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 10:23 AM)Max Power Wrote:  http://www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_a..._id=599124

DEKALB — Now that this is the college gridiron capital of Illinois, it seems only fitting that the biggest show in prep football makes an appearance as well.

When the Big Ten revamped its schedules to give Illinois a home game every other year over Thanksgiving weekend, the Illinois High School Association had to figure out what to do with the state football finals.

One option would have been to say goodbye entirely to Champaign-Urbana, which wouldn’t have disappointed everyone. Illinois’ Memorial Stadium seats more than 70,000 fans and with crowds never more than a fraction of that, the atmosphere of state title games sometimes can leave something to be desired.

But coaches and players I’ve talked to are more than willing to overlook the tens of thousands of empty seats for a chance to play in a Big Ten venue. That’s something only a handful of prep players will ever get to experience again at the next level.

Northern Illinois, the team that calls Huskie Stadium home, has been on a roll lately. And, with Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch leading the way, is playing at a higher level than either of the state’s Big Ten teams.

But how does Huskie Stadium stack up as a venue for the prep state championship games?

It’s better than the IHSA playoffs’ original home, Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium, which felt like a super-sized high school field.

What is with the lack of food at concession stands. Terrible.


Sent from my iPhone.

What is so tough on stocking up on hot dogs? It is not like NIU never had this problem before. Everybody knows that high school kids are eating all the time.

Probably had no idea how many would show up.

Aot of colleges and pro teams have vendors in. That way we wouldn't have to worry about the hot dog crisis.

(12-01-2013 02:41 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 11:58 AM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 11:20 AM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 10:23 AM)Max Power Wrote:  http://www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_a..._id=599124

DEKALB — Now that this is the college gridiron capital of Illinois, it seems only fitting that the biggest show in prep football makes an appearance as well.

When the Big Ten revamped its schedules to give Illinois a home game every other year over Thanksgiving weekend, the Illinois High School Association had to figure out what to do with the state football finals.

One option would have been to say goodbye entirely to Champaign-Urbana, which wouldn’t have disappointed everyone. Illinois’ Memorial Stadium seats more than 70,000 fans and with crowds never more than a fraction of that, the atmosphere of state title games sometimes can leave something to be desired.

But coaches and players I’ve talked to are more than willing to overlook the tens of thousands of empty seats for a chance to play in a Big Ten venue. That’s something only a handful of prep players will ever get to experience again at the next level.

Northern Illinois, the team that calls Huskie Stadium home, has been on a roll lately. And, with Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch leading the way, is playing at a higher level than either of the state’s Big Ten teams.

But how does Huskie Stadium stack up as a venue for the prep state championship games?

It’s better than the IHSA playoffs’ original home, Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium, which felt like a super-sized high school field.

What is with the lack of food at concession stands. Terrible.


Sent from my iPhone.

What is so tough on stocking up on hot dogs? It is not like NIU never had this problem before. Everybody knows that high school kids are eating all the time.

Probably had no idea how many would show up.

Yeah, I think you can cut them SOME slack due to this being the first year and have no idea what attendance would be like. But they probably SHOULD have over ordered this year as a precaution. Heck, if they had too much, donate it to a food pantry after the games so you can write it off.

Total attendance?

EdgyTim's thoughts:

http://www.csnchicago.com/preps/edgy-tho...ip-weekend

Watched on TV much of the late Sat games....Most everything about NIU & HS showed well - only minus on camera was the NIU logo at midfield looked a little dull, worn.

(12-02-2013 08:55 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  EdgyTim's thoughts:

http://www.csnchicago.com/preps/edgy-tho...ip-weekend

Even mailman Tim gets it...nice to see he has came around. 7 months ago he said NIU was behind on recruiting. Did anybody tell him how NIU is fighting off the BCS for their recruits every week. What is U of I and NW doing? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

There is no mention of recruiting in his post and he still thinks it is way better to go BCS than NIU, even if he's talking bottom feeders. He hasn't come around on where to play the best football.

(12-02-2013 05:18 PM)NIUSAE Wrote:  There is no mention of recruiting in his post and he still thinks it is way better to go BCS than NIU, even if he's talking bottom feeders. He hasn't come around on where to play the best football.

I understand but if some people remember correctly he was critical of NIU getting the Finals so im surprised. Was upset in the past about a media pass he didn't get or something I have no idea the guy is a joke. Espn/scout does a much better job of grading talent.

I really don't know what mailman Tim does.