---Angela Healy attempts a jumper against Grand Valley State last season. Healy, a senior post player, is one of three returning starters for NKU in 2007-08. Healy will be part of “Meet the Norse Night” on Oct. 17.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The 12th annual Highland Heights Skyline Chili “Meet the Norse Night” will be held Oct. 17 from 6-9 p.m. in Northern Kentucky University’s Regents Hall.

The public is invited to attend this event, which will feature intra-squad scrimmages by both the NKU men’s and women’s basketball teams. In addition, all NKU student-athletes will be in attendance to meet the public.

This event is free to the public, and Skyline Chili will provide free chili three-ways. Space is limited, and the doors will open at 6 p.m. For more information, contact NKU marketing and promotions director Pete Ehmke at 572-7665.

The NKU women return three starters from last season’s 21-8 team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Norse senior center Angela Healy averaged 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season and is the team’s top returning player. Healy was named to the All-Great Lakes Valley Conference second team as a junior.

NKU also returns senior point guard Nicole Chiodi (6.9 ppg, team-leading 98 assists) and junior post player Cassie Brannen (9.0 ppg, school-record 71 blocked shots). The Norse brought in an impressive group of newcomers, led by East Carolina transfer Jessie Slack.

The NKU men welcome back three starters from last season’s 24-9 squad that advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament at Findlay, Ohio. The Norse must replace All-American Steven Wright, who earned GLVC Player of the Year honors last season.

Junior point guard Billy Finnell returns for NKU after averaging 7.5 ppg and dishing out a team-leading 123 assists. Senior forwards Vincent Humphrey (7.5 ppg) and Harrison Morton (6.0 ppg) also return, along with senior guard Mark Hawkins (4.1 ppg) and senior center Travis Rasso (3.3 ppg).

NKU’s newcomers include guard Dennis Gagai, a 6-foot-4 transfer from West Virginia who averaged 22.4 ppg as a senior at Ironton (Ohio) High School.

The NKU basketball teams will say farewell to Regents Hall on Feb. 16, when Indianapolis visits for a GLVC doubleheader. The Norse will move into their new on-campus home, The Bank of Kentucky Center, beginning in 2008-09.