Keynotes
- Cheynnitha Hammock, the wife of Northern Illinois University (NIU) head coach Thomas Hammock, shares a deep connection with the university.
- Thomas Hammock led NIU to a historic 16-14 victory over No. 5 Notre Dame on September 9, 2024.
- The Hammocks’ love story began at NIU, influencing both their personal and professional lives.
As Northern Illinois University (NIU) basks in the glory of its stunning 16-14 upset over No. 5 ranked Notre Dame on September 9, 2024, attention turns to the woman behind the emotional, victorious coach: Cheynnitha Hammock.
A Historic Victory
NIU’s triumph, led by head coach Thomas Hammock, marked the first time a Mid-American Conference (MAC) team defeated an AP top-5 ranked opponent.
In a heart-wrenching post-game interview, Coach Hammock fully displayed his raw emotion, hinting at the deep personal connections underlying his professional success.
The Hammocks: An NIU Love Story
While Thomas Hammock’s coaching prowess is now in the national spotlight, his journey at NIU began long before he took over the football program.
On this very campus, he met his future wife, Cheynnitha, setting the stage for a partnership that would profoundly influence both their lives.
Like her husband, Cheynnitha Hammock is a proud NIU alum.
She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university, embodying the institution’s commitment to lifelong learning and achievement.
A Freshman Year Meet-Cute
The Hammocks’ love story began in front of Douglas Hall when they were freshmen at NIU.
Thomas, known for his strategic thinking on the football field, had to employ some creative “recruiting” tactics to win Cheynnitha’s affection.
“(Cheynnitha) didn’t want to give me a chance, so I had to do some strong recruiting,” Thomas recalled with a smile. “We went out to the Huskie Den, we went rollerblading on campus and we did some things that were out of character for me, but it was a part of the recruiting process.”
This early connection to Douglas Hall would later inspire the name of their son, Thomas Douglas, who joined older sister Tierra in the Hammock family.
Supporting The Dream
Cheynnitha has steadfastly supported Thomas’s coaching career, which began in 2003.
When Thomas was introduced as NIU’s 23rd head coach in program history on January 18, 2019, Cheynnitha and their children were by his side.
“I met my wife here; [I] have an excellent degree [and] have plenty of friends I’ve made over the years [who] I continue to keep in contact with,” Thomas said of NIU. “[It’s] a special place. I met my wife at Douglas Hall. My son’s name is Thomas Douglas, so it’s good for him to have a chance to learn where his parents went to school.”
