Evans Field House prepares for "The Last Hurrah"

by Lesli Groth

Huskie basketball teams will play the last regular season games in the Chick Evans Field House this Saturday, Feb. 23, celebrating with a daylong event dubbed "The Last Hurrah." Chick Evans Field House, which opened in 1957, will close its doors to Huskie Basketball next season as the $35.8 million Convocation Center opens on the west campus.

"Chick Evans Field House has been a major part of all our lives," said Sports Information Director Mike Korcek. "It's a bittersweet farewell for generations of Huskies in many sports. The field house has been the home of men's basketball for 45 seasons and women's for 22. We decided to focus on basketball for `The Last Hurrah,' but remember there have also been gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball and track in this facility."

The women's basketball team hosts Western Michigan at 2:05 p.m., and the men's team takes on Central Michigan at 7:05 p.m. An alumni game, featuring former NIU men's basketball stars, will tip off at 5 p.m.

A halftime ceremony during the men's game will acknowledge all former NIU men and women athletes, coaches and assistants in attendance. A post game commemorative ceremony will be held to recognize the history of the building.

NIU's historic Chick Evans Field House ranks as the second oldest of the 12 NCAA Division I basketball venues in the state behind Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena, Korcek said. Originally known as Northern Field House, it was renamed in 1974 after Hall of Famer George "Chick" Evans, the university's athletics director from 1929 to 1968.

The field house originally accommodated 4,053 fans, but construction in 1974 increased seating to just over 6,000. The Convocation Center will seat up to 10,000 fans.

Many former NIU athletes will return on Saturday to attend the games or participate in the alumni match, including Hall of Fame head coaches Tom Jorgensen and John McDougal. Alumni game participants include Billy "The Kid" Harris, Matt Hicks, Donald Whiteside, Brad Waller, Antwon Harmon, Carl Armato and even new alums such as Steve Determan and Mike "Downtown" Brown.

"If you're a true NIU basketball fan, Feb. 23 is like Christmas morning," Korcek added. "Where else are you going to see NIU Hall of Fame players such as Allen Rayhorn, Matt Hicks, Billy Harris, Willie Hanson, John Olson, Larry Wyllie and Lew Flinn all in one place?"

All fans attending the event will receive a commemorative "The Last Hurrah" game ticket. For more information, a list of athlete RSVPs and "The Ultimate Last Hurrah Trivia Quiz," visit http://www3.niu.edu/athletics/mbball/Last%20Hurrah.html.

For ticket information, call 753-0353 or (800) 332-HOWL.