- You must present a OneCard (mobile or physical) or a photo ID to check out billiards or bowling equipment. Photographs of IDs are not accepted.
- Billiards’ equipment may only be checked out by NIU students over 18 years old.
Huskie Den Rules and Policies
The purpose of the Huskie Den is to support the development of both recreational and competitive bowling and billiards while providing a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for all participants.
Huskie Den rules and policies may be updated at any time based on the actions of customers/patrons.
Huskie Den Policies and House Rules
- The customer priority is as listed:
- Current NIU students
- Current NIU employees
- NIU alumni
- Community members
- HSC Administration retains the right to adjust priority due to special events, reserved/contracted space(s) and/or other circumstances (i.e. KNPE classes, revenue generating events, NIU Signature events, etc.).
- Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- Contracted groups are required to purchase food/drink from NIU Dining/Catering unless the Huskie Den Event Coordinator approves otherwise.
- Anyone who intentionally damages equipment or furniture may be charged the cost of repair or replacement.
- Repeat offenders can be banned for a set time (week, month, semester).
- Gambling or betting of any kind is discouraged.
- Any violation of the Den rules, or actions that could endanger self, others or damage Den equipment may result in disciplinary actions and/or charges including the cost of replacing billiard sets.
- Please enjoy the Huskie Den and allow others to as well. The following actions will result in your removal from the Huskie Den (by the NIU police if necessary) and/or result in referral to Student Conduct Office:
- Any deliberate abuse and/or defacing of Huskie Den equipment or property.
- Abusive and/or threatening language or gestures directed at Den Staff or patrons.
- Consumption of alcohol not purchased from the Huskie Grill in the Den.
- Intoxicated and/or disorderly conduct.
- Under-age drinking and/or being under-age and intoxicated.
- Smoking or vaping
- Be polite, courteous and respectful to Den staff and others in the Den.
- Play the game to win but be a gracious loser.
- Watch your back stroke to avoid hitting the walls, columns or nearby players.
- Bridges, short sticks and 9-Ball racks are at the front counter. Ask Den staff if you need additional items.
- Do not use your pool cue as a toy or prop.
- Do not touch your opponent’s cue stick while they are shooting.
- Use billiard balls as intended:
- Do not throw or juggle billiard balls.
- Only strike balls with the cue tips, not the sides.
- Only hit billiard balls with your cue stick.
- If you intentionally knock billiard balls off the table, you will get one warning before being asked to leave.
- Do not sit, lay or lean on pool tables, even when shooting (keep one foot on the floor. Uneven pressure can damage the slate and make the table unusable.
- Do not put food, drinks, bags or other items on pool tables.
- Jump shots and massé (curved shots) are not allowed.
- The person who checked out the equipment is responsible until items are returned.
- Each set should include 16 balls, 2 chalk pieces and a rack. Return all items, plus any cues or bridges you checked out.
- Please alert Den staff if balls get stuck in a table.
- Make sure all players understand and agree to the rules before starting.
- For example: Are all shots called or only those aimed at the “8-ball”?
- No sharking. Be respectful. Do not distract the shooter by talking, making noises or blocking their view.
- Do not hover over the pocket or crowd the table. Players should not have to ask you to move during their turn.
- Do not intentionally interfere with another player’s shot - doing so could cause injury.
- Respect your opponents before, during and after the match.
- Do notdelay the game. Be ready when it is your turn.
- Chalk your cue stick before every shot to improve play and protect the tip.
- Do not use cue sticks or chalk to make designs on the felt.
- Place chalk on the rail paper side down to contain dust.
- Do not strike or tap the cue stick on the table, rails or other objects.
- Be aware of others and do not block players at your table or nearby tables.
- Only individuals who are bowling are permitted in the bowling seating area.
- Spectators wearing street shoes cannot sit in the bowling seating area, however, they may bring chairs behind the bowlers.
- Food, drinks (including water bottles of any type), or street shoes are not allowed in the bowling area.
- Do not wear rental bowling shoes outside the confines of the Huskie Den.
- During rain or snow, do not bring bags, coats or outside shoes into the bowling seating area.
- Wait one lane on each side before bowling – this is called “lane courtesy.”
- The bowler on the approach has the right of way. Wait until they start their delivery before stepping up.
- Wait to start your delivery until they’ve begun returning to the seating area.
- Only step up on the approach when you are ready to bowl. After your delivery, step completely off the approach and wait for your ball to return, signaling to others that it is their turn.
- Avoid talking while on the approach; this slows the game.
- Only one person should be on the approach at a time, unless you are providing a Den approved bowling lesson. Inform staff beforehand to avoid distracting other bowlers.
- Don’t hold up the game.
- Step up onto the approach when ready and step off while waiting for your ball to return.
- Avoid taking too long to aim or set up once on the approach.
- Avoid conversations once on the approach.
- Avoid lofting or lobbing the ball as it could harm your game, damage the lane or ball.
- Release the ball from the approach within two feet of your lane’s foul line.
- Do not throw balls from the seating area or near the ball return, as this can damage the lanes.
- The ball should land on the lane within a few inches to 2 feet past the foul line.
- Avoid landing balls on the approach, as lane oil can make it slippery or sticky.
- Wait until the pinsetter finishes its cycle, and the sweep is fully raised before bowling. Throwing can damage the ball or equipment.
- Do not try to time your shot so the ball goes under the sweep as it rises.
- Wait until your ball returns before you throw another. Multiple balls can damage the machines. If your ball gets stuck, please notify Den staff.
- For your safety, stay behind the foul line.
- If you need to retrieve or remove anything past the foul line, please ask Den staff for assistance.
- Do not step over the half-circle tables or use the seating platform as a step. Avoid using any furniture incorrectly.
- Do not hit, kick or damage ball returns, scoring counsels or seating.
- Do not lean or sit on scoring counsels.
- Use one House Ball at a time. If you change balls, return the unused ball to the rack behind the lanes.
- When renting a locker, avoid distracting bowlers. Move between deliveries on lanes 14-16.
- Locker renters: do not bring beverages or wet items down the lane 16 walkway.
- Do not run onto another bowler’s approach area.
- Do not use another bowler’s ball without their permission.
- Do not make noise to distract a bowler during their shot.
- Do not physically interfere with another bowler’s delivery.
