DeKalb, Illinois is home to Northern Illinois University and the Northern Illinois Huskies football team.  The school was founded in 1895 and now has an undergrad and graduate population of over 25,000.

The Northern Illinois football team plays home games at Huskie Stadium on Brigham Field.  Huskie Stadium seats over 30,000 and the wide-open spaces surrounding the stadium are perfect for tail-gating and hanging out before and after games.  Games are especially packed for rivarlies against the Buffalo Bulls and Western Michigan Broncos.  The Northern Illinois football team plays in the Mid-American Conference Western Division and competed in bowl games as recently as 2004 and 2006.