DeKALB – Tim Tyrrell played in the NFL for seven years, but credits much of his success to his time playing in Huskie Stadium.

Tyrrell played with the Huskies from 1982-83 and went on to play professionally with the L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills after he graduated.

“I’ve had an amazing life because of my opportunities at Northern,” he said.

Huskie Stadium, which was dedicated in November 1965 after a 48-6 homecoming win over Illinois State, has undergone change in its 50 years, and more may be to come. NIU has marked the anniversary year by unveiling a special anniversary logo, naming the top 50 football players in Huskie Stadium history and by hosting other special events.

Tyrrell was one of the top 50 named in July. He said Huskie spirit follows him wherever he goes, and he frequently comes back to DeKalb for Huskies games. He’s been to three home games this year, and he plans to be at the stadium when the Huskies host Eastern Michigan at 2:30 p.m. today.

“It’s a big part of my life,” he said. “A lot of my friends are Northern grads – the players I played with and the coaches I was coached by.”

While Tyrrell remembers his days playing with the Huskies fondly, he said he also is impressed with the progress of the athletics department, which has come a long way since the early 1980s, when players used to work out in a racquetball court.

“The new facilities are off the charts,” he said. “I can’t believe the weight room and practice facilities they have there now. … Northern has really done an impressive job.”

This year, a new FieldTurf artificial surface was installed on Brigham Field, named in honor of Robert J. Brigham, a former player, coach, and athletic director at the school. They’ve also introduced The Yard – the new pregame tailgate area on the west grass of Huskie Stadium, as well as the Endzone Club, with seating behind the south end zone.

More changes could be in store for the stadium in the future, said Sean Frazier, NIU associate vice president and director of athletics.

“It’s made it 50 years,” he said. “But it won’t make it another 50 if we don’t do some renovation work soon.”

Frazier unveiled a $138 million athletic facilities plan last year, which could include an overhaul of the stadium.

“It’s definitely our top-five interest,” Frazier said. “We’ve had a lot of interest about renovating, creating additional amenities and taking a look at how the west side, east side and end zone components come together.”

Proposed improvements would include adding premium suites and seating, increasing concession, ticket-taking and restrooms, and adding at least 6,500 seats to the south end zone, and elevating the scoreboard and video board. Huskie Stadium currently has a seating capacity of about 24,000.

Frazier said the stadium has an economic impact on the city and renovating would only increase that.

“There is a symbiotic relationship between the two,” he said. “One can’t exist without the other.”

Proposed renovations would be privately funded and still are very much in the beginning process, since the committee hasn’t identified a final project yet, Frazier said.

“We are in the process of reviewing,” he said. “But hopefully we can make a big announcement soon.”