June 17, 2008

DeKALB, IL --- As sequels go, the Jorgy Reunion VI might not rival the national box office success generated by the latest Indiana Jones installment.

But for the head coach Tom Jorgensen era (1966-73) Northern Illinois University men's basketball student-athletes, friends, fans, spouses,etc., who returned "home" to the DeKalb-Sycamore area this weekend for golf, socializing, and fellowship, it was a smashing four-star success.

Or as Jorgy often commented in the day: "Outta sight!"

"It's always fun," said former Huskie forward Art Rohlman (1967-71). "All six of our reunions have been fun. To all of us involved with the Northern program of that era, Jorgy means a great deal. It's a little more than the typical coach / student-athlete relationship. It's personal. All of us realize how fortunate we were to play for a head coach the caliber of Tom Jorgensen. Great guy doesn't totally describe it."

Hall of Fame cornerman Jerry Zielinski (1968-72) wished the vintage NIU game films---particularly the classic 85-71 Northern Illinois triumph over No. 5-rated Indiana University in 1971-72---still existed.

"After six reunions, we're better than ever," joked the man who elicited chants of "Zee...Zee...Zee" every time he touched the ball at old Chick Evans Field House. "We're all All-Americans now."

The retired, 73-year-old Jorgensen who now resides in suburban Denver, CO, after years as a full-time NBA scout led the Huskies to a 95-71 won-lost record in seven seasons. Jorgy took Northern Illinois from the cornfields to University Division status, and eventually the major-college Top 20. In that pre-ESPN era, the word spread nationally as his Huskies played in some of the most famous collegiate venues in the country---including the Chicago Stadium, Madison Square Garden, The Palestra (in Philadelphia), and the Mecca (in Milwaukee).

Jorgy's most successful Northern Illinois quintet---the 21-4 group that upset Indiana, averaged 95.2 points-per-game, crashed the Associated Press Top 20, won the Midwestern Conference title, and featured four NBA / ABA draft choices in 1971-72---was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. Five individuals from that club have also been enshrined into the NIU Hall of Fame---Jorgensen, Zielinski, All-America Jim Bradley (1971-73), guard Billy "The Kid"Harris (1970-73), and forward Gordon "Doc" Nuber (1970-73). Another ex-Jorgy era performer---center Jim Smith (1967-69)---also made the Hall of Fame.

"We were extremely fortunate," Jorgensen said during the reunion dinner at Johnny's Charhouse. "First of all, we recruited some really good basketball players who were all great kids. I'm truly grateful and honored to see everyone back at our reunion this weekend. It was a lot of fun in those days. This is a lot of fun. Maybe we should do this(reunion) every other week."

Among the 30-35 guests in attendance were new NIU associate vice president and athletics director Jeff Compher, current Northern Illinois head coach Ricardo Patton (who has known Jorgensen since his Colorado days), and deputy director of athletics Glen Krupica.

The previous Jorgy Reunions happened in 1983, 1988, 1997, 2002, and 2005. All Huskies should mark their calendars. Jorgy Reunion VII is scheduled for June, 2010.

-NIU-

For further information, please contact Mike Korcek, SID Emeritus, at (815) 753-9559

Northern Illinois University Men's Basketball

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