It was sad to hear on last Tuesday that long-time NIU mascot Diesel, a Siberian husky, died. We had just heard the week before that he had cancer. He was 12 and had been at most every Northern Illinois University football game for nine years. He was replaced with another Siberian husky, Mission, in 2013.
NIU is called the Huskies.
Tom Bonnevice adopted Diesel from a husky rescue shelter. Tom and family and Diesel lived in my old hometown of Round Lake Beach, Illinois.
After his retirement, Diesel was classified "Mascot Emeritus." Unfortunately, advancing age and ailments caused Diesel to be unable to run near the end of his mascot years, but he learned how to high-five cheerleaders and this was picked up on ESPN and the national networks.
Diesel was able to attend the first game the Huskies played this year against UNLV. he died the next day.
We were able to personally meet him while we were in Mobile for the Go-Daddy bowl against Arkansas State. He had about the softest fur I've ever petted. And talk about laid-back.
Somewhere, Diesel will be watching as NIU plays that little old Ohio State this Saturday.
Go Diesel!!
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