Aug. 27, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - Savvy airline passengers may do a double-take when looking down on the cornfields of Illinois this fall. Carved into a 10-acre patch of corn and clearly visible from the air, the Northern Illinois Huskie logo stands out among the rows and rows of farmland.

Northern Illinois Athletics has teamed up with the Jonamac Orchard in Malta on this year's popular local landmark, the Corn Maze. Using a large-scale graphic of the Huskie logo, the folks at Jonamac re-created one of the Northern Illinois signature designs while clearing nearly three miles of pathways in its cornfield. The logo is over 200-feet tall and provides a challenge to the thousands of children and adults who come from miles around to find their way through the maze.

"We are thrilled to join together with the Jonamac Orchard on this year's corn maze," said NIU Assistant Athletic Director Todd Garzarelli. "It is a completely unique local attraction and the view from above tells anyone who sees it that this is Huskie Country."

The grand opening of the 2007 edition of the Corn Maze is Sept. 1, and the popular local landmark will remain open every weekend through Oct. 28. The maze is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can also be toured on Labor Day and Columbus Day.

During the Grand Opening on Labor Day Weekend, the first 50 people to tackle the Huskie maze each day will receive a voucher for a free ticket to a Northern Illinois men's or women's basketball game. In addition, on Sept. 16, 23 and 30, and Oct. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m., NIU mascots Victor E. Huskie and Spirit will be on hand to greet visitors and even join in the fun on a hayride.

The Jonamac Orchard, featuring the Huskie Corn Maze, is located at 19412 Shabbona Road in Malta, five miles west of DeKalb on Route 38. Off of Route 38, turn left (south) at Hickey's Malta Marathon Station and continue through Malta to the stop sign. Turn right and continue ¾ miles.

-- NIU --