Courtesy of NIU Sports Information

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University head coach Thomas Hammock was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night during a ceremony in Hammock’s hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he starred as a running back at Bishop Luers High School.
 
Hammock, who was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 after a stellar career for the Huskies, enters his seventh season as head coach at his alma mater in 2025.
 
“To be inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor and something I was not expecting,” Hammock said. “I’m extremely proud of my high school experience at Bishop Luers. It was a big part of helping me develop on and off the field. When you receive an honor like this, a lot of people had a part – from my family to my coaches to my teammates – they all put me in a position to excel.”
 
A two-time first team All-State selection for Bishop Luers in 1997 and 1998, Hammock rushed for more than 1,000 yards each season. As a senior, he carried 274 times for 1,775 yards and 28 touchdowns after totaling 1,158 yards on 174 with 17 touchdowns as a junior. A three-sport standout, he was named the Fort Wayne News Sentinel Athlete of the Year as a senior, while also garnering all-conference and all-area honors in football. He placed third at the state wrestling championships as a junior and a senior, compiling a 36-1 record his final season.
 
Hammock was presented at Tuesday night’s ceremony by his high school wrestling coach, A.J. Kalver, who he credited with instilling in him the confidence to excel in athletics.
 
Hammock carried his high school success into a Hall of Fame career at NIU where he earned first team All Mid-American Conference honors as a sophomore and junior while surpassing 1,000 yards in rushing each season. Hammock was also a two-time first team Academic All-American for the Huskies. He still ranks among the Top 15 rushers in school history despite seeing his senior season cut short after just one game.
 
NIU is coming off a 2024 season which saw the Huskies earn a historic win over fifth-ranked Notre Dame, the first win by any MAC team over a Top 5 opponent and finish the year with its second consecutive bowl victory, a 28-20 double overtime win over Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Huskies return four offensive and defensive starters in 2025 after fielding one of the most experienced teams in the country a year ago.
 
The Huskies open preseason camp on Wednesday, July 30 with the 2025 season opener set for Saturday, August 31 versus Holy Cross in Huskie Stadium. 
 
Season ticket prices for NIU's six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes).
 
Renew or purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu.