That was one heck of an experience. My wife and I still talk about it. From the chartered flight there and back, to the magnificent room in the Fontainebleau, tour of the city, police escorted bus ride to the game, pre-game event, and the game itself, everything was totally first class. It cost a pretty penny, but the memories will last the rest of our lives.
What an achievement for NIU football to make it to the Orange Bowl and compete. It is quite amazing that we compete at the level that we do with our resources, not in a big name conferences, etc. etc.
We all saw the game, the Florida State team was stacked with with NFL talent and outsized our Huskies yet NIU competed and had their chances, even though some ESPN folk like to create their own narrative that influences the masses.
Regardless of the outcome, we are where we are because of the strides the previous classes made to the program. Yet, there is still a lot to do to keep the program moving forward and there is no time to be complacent.
Not many thought NIU at the Orange bowl was possible, yet NIU proved it was possible.
Forward Together Forward.
** Note the size of the crowd and passion of the fans at the home games where at the time, we had less successes, less alumni and less of a program.
Yet these days because of the war of attrition in the Chicago Area Market by the big 3 (UI,ND,NU) and the BIG10 we get less exposure and more media that likes to undermine and delegitimize our football brand that greatly influenced and affected our own fan base....
We need to start competing in marketing our brand like we do in football. We need to reconnect and grow the fanbase now! Start with the Alumni and NIU community.
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2022 11:10 AM by HUSKiESbelieve.)
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Orange Bowl - Ten Years Later
