Aug. 8, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - The direction of the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund will continue under the leadership of Shelley Binegar, Northern Illinois University's new Assistant Athletics Director for Development.

Binegar's primary responsibility will be to the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund, which is charged with building the quality relationships which provide the resources necessary for Huskie student-athletes to achieve academically, socially, and athletically. Binegar replaces Danny White, who departed last month to accept an Associate Athletics Director position at Fresno State University.

"The experience Shelley brings with annual giving, building relationships with donors, and supervisory experience with managing a staff provided the perfect match with what we needed for our position," NIU Associate A.D. for Development Tim McMurray said. "We are thrilled she has chosen to join our team and should immediately benefit from her presence."

A 1998 alumna of Bowling Green State University, Binegar comes to the sweet corn fields of DeKalb from sun-glazed campus of Florida Atlantic University.

As an assistant athletic director in Boca Raton, Binegar oversaw the Owl Club, FAU's booster organization. Under her guidance, Owl Club membership increased 130 percent, while special event revenue rose 150 percent. She also led the creation of the FAU Athletics Hall of Fame and letterwinners club.

"Shelley will be a terrific institutional fit for Northern Illinois University and for our Huskie athletic family," NIU Associate Vice-President/Director of Athletics Jim Phillips said. "To be certain, her skill set will match well in continuing the momentum with our annual giving through the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund."

In addition to her development experience, Binegar worked as the Assistant Athletic Director for Ticket Operations at FAU in 2004, and as the Director of Ticket Operations from 2000-04 at Ohio.

Prior to her time at Ohio, Binegar worked in the ticket office of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Binegar received her Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management from BGSU in 1998 before earning her Master's of Sports Administration from Ohio University in 1999.