Northern Illinois' canine mascot, Diesel, retiring after 9 years with school

DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois' blue-eyed husky mascot is retiring after spending nine years on the sidelines.

The high-fiving canine is a furry fixture at Huskies games along with his owner, Tom Bonnevier. The school's athletics director, Sean Frazier, says in a statement that Diesel "has become the face of Huskie football."

The university says Diesel will be honored during Tuesday night's game against Western Michigan. Once he becomes the school's "mascot emeritus," he'll be replaced by a husky named Mission. The new mascot is nearly 2-years-old.

The 18th-ranked team remains unbeaten this season and is hoping for a second consecutive BCS bid.