Jan. 25, 2008

DeKALB, IL --- Northern Illinois University's all-time men's basketball career scorer and rebounder T. J. Lux is one of eight former Huskies who have committed to play in the upcoming Alumni Game on February 2.

   "Really, I can't wait to get back on campus," said Lux who played six seasons of professional ball in Europe before "retiring" last summer and hasn't been in DeKalb since October, 2000.  "It will be great to get back and see all the changes---the Convocation Center, the Yordon Center, meet the new coaching staff, and visit with all the guys.  It should be a lot of fun to come back home."

    Other prominent Huskie alums who have RSVPed to play in the 2008 Alumni Game to date include guard Phiffney Dukes (1997-99), swingman Todd Peterson (2002-06), forward Art Rohlman (1968-71), forward Marcus Smallwood (2000-04), guard Al Sewasciuk (2000-04), forward Shawn Thrower (1977-81), and guard Andre Williams (1997-98).

   The Eighth Annual Varsity Club / Cardinal and Black Alumni Game headlines the Alumni Day festivities on Saturday (February 2) when Northern Illinois hosts Mid-American Conference rival Ohio University at 2:05 p.m. (CST) in the Convocation Center.  The NIU Alumni Game is scheduled for 11 a.m.  All Huskie men's basketball alums will also be acknowledged in a special halftime ceremony during the Northern Illinois-Ohio game.

   A 6-foot-9, 230-pound center as a senior, Lux (Merrillville, IN) won All-Century accolades during the NIU Centennial observation and finished his Huskie career with numerous records and individual honors for head coach Brian Hammel.  Career-wise, Lux wound up with 1,996 points, 1,110 rebounds, and 59 point-rebound "double doubles---thus earning the "King of the Double Double" nickname.  As the only four-year, first-team all-league student athlete in Northern Illinois men's hardwood history, plus a three-time team Most Valuable Player and captain, Lux carried the "double double" to the classroom as well.

   Voted a three-peat College Sports Information DIrectors of America Academic All-America selection, Lux had a 3.85 cumulative gpa on a 4.00 scale as a graduate student in institutional curriculum and supervision (1999-2000).  As a result, No. 35 was named the CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year in men's basketball, plus the recipient of the Playboy Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award and the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

   Drafted by the USBL and CBA in 2000, Lux opted to play professional ball overseas in Giessen, Germany (2001-02), Reims, France (2002-04), Pau-Orthez, France (2004-06), and Dijon, France (2006-07).  With Dijon in 2005-06, Lux was the tourney MVP for a quintet that won the French Cup in the Pro A Division (May, 2006) and won a berth in the FIBA All-Star Game (March, 2007).  In 2003-04, Lux earned league MVP laurels for Reims at the Pro B Division level.  Lux currently lives in northwest Indiana and runs the Delux Evolutionary Personal Training in Crown Point, IN.

   The Cardinal and Black teams for the Alumni Game will be chosen January 31 in a special draft conducted by honorary head coaches Bill Finucane and Mike Korcek.  Former Northern Illinois players, coaches, managers, trainers, etc., should RSVP as soon as possible for the Feb. 2 festivities by contacting Director of Marketing Cindy Green via telephone at (815-753-0639) or via e-mail at <cmgreen@niu.edu>.  Admission to the Alumni Game is free.

EIGHTH ANNUAL NIU CARDINAL AND BLACK / VARSITY CLUB ALUMNI GAME TIMELINE

10 a.m.:  Convocation Center Doors Open (Alumni Shoot-around)

11 a.m.:  Cardinal and Black Alumni Game (Two 20-minute Halves)

Noon:  Northern Illinois Alumni Game Team Photo (Main Floor)

 2:05 p.m.:  Northern Illinois vs. Ohio Men's Basketball Game

(Halftime Alumni Recognition Ceremony)

4:30 p.m.:  Northern Illinois Alumni Post-Game Reception

(Johnny's Charhouse, 1950 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore)

                                -NIU-                               ---MIKE KORCEK, SID Emeritus