NIU Huskie tales: Pump up the volume

That's what Jerry Kill did Tuesday and Wednesday during practice at Huskie Stadium as his team prepared for Saturday's opener against Indiana State.

But this wasn't the usual marching band fare or raucous stadium noise coaches sometimes pump in as they prepare to play in hostile, noisy venues. Rather, Kill instructed Director of Football Operations Adam Clark to put together a mix of songs that might be featured on the players' i-pods.

Wednesday's session opened with Welcome to the Jungle from Guns 'n Roses and continued throughout the practice with a variety of selections that included hard rock, hip-hop and rap. Many, of course, were beyond the recognition of this old fart. Lil' Wayne was, no doubt, in the house, but I couldn't swear to it.

"I'm trying to make it more like a game situation, plus it creates a little atmosphere," said Kill, who is emphasizing playing hard for four quarters.

"Coach Kill wanted some energy out here," said senior quarterback Dan Nicholson. "It's not distracting. It's similar to having a crowd."

Clark had something for everyone, it seems, except veteran Huskie play-by-play man Bill Baker. Word on the sidelines was his request for some Nat King Cole fell on deaf ears.