Dear Huskies,

As we continue to recover from the long-term effects of the State of Illinois budget impasse and subsequent budget cuts, which have been the most severe in NIU and NIU Athletics history, I want to personally thank all those who have contributed and who continue to contribute as a Huskie Athletic Fund (HAF) supporter, Season Ticket Member, Athletics Master Plan benefactor and Campaign to Sustain participant.

Know that NIU Athletics would NOT be able to sustain our high level of academic and athletic success without your unconditional support. To that end, I am extremely proud to lead our athletic department during these challenging times. It also gives me pride to know that even with significant budgetary adversity, we have a Huskie Nation that has the pure grit and determination to come out on top.

I'm especially proud of the victories our student-athletes and programs have achieved – both athletically and academically – over the past two-plus years. For proof, look no further than the Jacoby Trophy secured by our women's sports programs last year for the first time in school history, through the performances of each of our 10 women's teams.  

Meanwhile the Huskie Football program is – without question - in the midst of the most successful extended era in school history with 15 winning seasons (in just 18 years) this century!  Many will not remember that prior to the 6-5 record posted by the Huskies in 2000, it had been TEN years since NIU's last winning season (1990). 

Leading the way for the last five years of this era of success, Head Coach Rod Carey has undeniably raised the bar for Huskie Football.  He now ranks 25^th nationally in career winning percentage among active coaches (with at least five years as a head coach), ahead of household names like Navy's Ken Niumatalolo, Charlie Strong of USF, Washington State's Mike Leach and Dana Holgorsen of West Virginia, and is in the Top 10 all-time among MAC coaches.  Since NIU became an FBS institution in 1969, only two coaches have led the Huskies to four or more winning seasons – Rod, with four winning seasons, and Joe Novak, with seven from 1996-2007.  All-time, NIU has eight victories over Big Ten opponents (in 45 games), with four of those wins in the last five years, including last season's upset at Nebraska, the first win by a MAC team at Memorial Stadium. 

In terms of player development, more Huskies earned All-America honors in the last five years– including four first team selections, and in 2017, just the second CONSENSUS All-American in school history in Sutton Smith – than in any other era in school history.

Academically, the most recent semester saw NIU student-athletes post a cumulative GPA of 3.187, the highest in program history. Thirteen of our 16 teams (indoor and outdoor track and field are combined for GPA purposes) recording GPAs of 3.0 or higher, led by volleyball (3.722) and men's golf (3.644). We had 48 student-athletes post a perfect 4.0 GPA, and 238 come in above 3.0.  On top of our most recent Graduation Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate reports, that is getting it done in the classroom!

Throughout this time of financial hardship, our focus has been on ensuring that the budget concerns do not negatively affect our student-athletes.  From our commitment to provide Cost of Attendance stipends to improving travel and competitive opportunities, student-athlete welfare remains at the forefront of our efforts, and the primary reason your support is so critical to continue our forward momentum.  

At the same time, we are implementing cost containment measures, and looking for new revenue streams. One example of this effort became reality this week when we were notified that our search for a naming rights partner for the NIU Convocation Center will officially be posted. Over the last year, we have had multiple inquiries and discussions with respect to the Convocation Center and naming rights, and were encouraged to see our multimedia rights partner, Huskie Sports Properties, a division of Learfield, post record numbers in corporate engagement in 2017.

In order to maximize the potential revenue generation for NIU Athletics, and the university, while being mindful of all state of Illinois policies and procedures, we have moved forward with a Request for Proposal (RFP).  I'm excited that we can now go public with this news and feel confident we will have great interest from not only local, but regional and national brands. The Convo is a crown jewel in DeKalb County and in NIU Athletics' footprint, with the ability to provide significant promotional, name and brand recognition to a potential partner. The RFP outlines all of these benefits and more. If your company, or any business you are aware of, is looking for an outstanding long-term opportunity, I urge you to let them know. The RFP (register and reference Bulletin Number KMC012618) is available here.

Meanwhile, momentum for The Campaign to Sustain, the comprehensive fundraising effort announced last April, continues to build on several fronts. Huskies Invest, our November "Week of Giving" saw more than $115,000 generated from 175 gifts, and several donors have stepped up to endow a Cost of Attendance scholarship. Through another generous gift, we will renovate and remodel the Nelson Club in the Convocation Center to create an upgraded premium experience during NIU Basketball games. One of the projects that has generated significant interest is the student-athlete nutrition center, and we are working to close the gap on the final $250,000 needed to make that critical addition a reality for all NIU student-athletes.

To continue our success – and to move all of our programs forward – we need MORE fans, alumni and partners to jump on the bandwagon as we dig out from the financial burdens of the last several years.  By buying season tickets (by the way, 2018 football renewals are available online beginning February 1) and/or donating to the Huskie Athletic Fund annually, you are supporting the high quality student-athletes we bring to NIU and investing in the future of this athletic department. Your commitment is more important than ever to be able to achieve our goals.

In the meantime, there's basketball – and plenty of it – along with gymnastics and wrestling at the Convocation Center this February.  The men's basketball team played six of its first nine MAC games on the road which means they will be at home often during the February stretch run, including on three successive Saturdays (Feb. 3, 10, 17).  I know everyone loves Saturday games, so make plans now to come out and see some exciting MAC Basketball.

February 10 and 17 will be doubleheader days at the Convocation Center with the annual "Cram the Convo" promotion featuring $5 tickets (for both games), concessions deals, rally towels and more beginning at 1 p.m. on February 17.  Use the Promo Code "Cram" for that day, and purchase tickets for any game now at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).

The next day (Sunday, Feb. 18), season ticket members are invited to kick off the 2018 football season with us during the new "NIU Football Stories from the Sidelines" event at Altgeld Auditorium on the NIU campus. It's going to be a fun afternoon of stories from current and former players, as well as a look at the 2018 signing class and spring football practices, as we celebrate the past, present and future of NIU Football.  Click the link above to register to attend today.

Finally, I hope you already have your calendars marked for Saturday, April 14 for the Third Annual Victor E. Ball. We're headed to the NIU Naperville Conference Center this year with a line-up of Chicago professional stars.  Stay tuned for the official announcement and registration form, which will be out next week!

Your attendance, at games and at events like Stories from the Sidelines and the Victor E. Ball, the purchase of season tickets, donations to the Huskie Athletic Fund and the Campaign to Sustain enable us to provide NIU student-athletes of today and in the future with the best experience as they work to win championships.  With your support – which we never take for granted - we will continue to make gains, overcome our financial challenges and move forward.
 
Thank You and Go Huskies!
 




Sean T. Frazier
Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics