DeKALB – The familiar boom of cannon fire after a Huskies touchdown will disappear from Northern Illinois football games this season, instead replaced with fireworks and a new fan seating section, NIU officials said Monday.

The addition of the Endzone Club in the south end zone with room for about 300 spectators means the cannon, most recently an M119 A2 Howitzer from the Illinois National Guard Armory in Sycamore, no longer has a place at the games.

Morris White, assistant athletics director for marketing and game experience, said athletic department representatives informed the Guard of the change Monday. White added the cannon would be replaced by fireworks after every NIU touchdown, as well as during the national anthem and after the game.

He said the new seating was the main reason for discontinuing the cannon.

“We listen to [fan] feedback, and that translates to more amenities for fans at the games,” White said. “We added the Coaches Club last year, and this year we have the awesome experience that allows fans on the field to watch the game from a unique perspective. Occupying 300 people with food down there, the proximity of the cannon would hinder that experience. That’s one of the main reasons we’re unable to proceed.”

National Guard Capt. Dutch Grove said the unit was disappointed they would not be able to fire the howitzer anymore, but understood the school’s decision.

“The soldiers enjoyed interacting with Huskie fans, Huskie nation if you will,” Grove said. “Any chance we have at community relations – like a float in a parade or what have you – it’s a great showcase for us. The NIU games are a fun atmosphere. We’re disappointed we won’t be doing it anymore, but we understand Northern Illinois wanted to start this close seating for fans.”

Grove said he wasn’t sure what the National Guard would be doing at games, and any discussions were, as far as he knew, preliminary.

In addition to making room for the Endzone Club, White added fans on the south side of the stadium had complained about the cannon noise.

“The cool thing is it’s really loud. You love it if your a ways away from it,” Morris said. “But those in close proximity to it, it’s a little more concussive than anything. It really affects their game day, and we want to make sure every fan has a good game.”

Neither White nor Donna Turner, associate athletic director for athletics communications, knew exactly how long the cannon has been at games – although Turner said it started sometime around the late 1990s or the early 2000s.

White said just because there’s no cannon doesn’t mean there’s not going to be a celebration.

“Naturally, we want to hype a Huskie touchdown,” White said. “Since the cannon is not longer in use, a way to supplement that is with fireworks and a display from the Yordon Center. It won’t only be for touchdowns, but during the anthem and postgame as well. Everybody loves a good fireworks show.”