Northern Illinois University Athletics

Established in 1978, the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame honors exceptional achievement related to NIU intercollegiate athletics by student-athletes, coaches, administrators/staff, teams, donors/contributors/family and alumni who have attained significant success in their sports-related, post-NIU careers. Just 234 individuals, 20 teams and five families have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 36 induction classes. The Hall of Fame is located in the north lobby of the NIU Convocation Center and is open to the public during regular business hours and during Athletics events. The ‘Class of 2026” will be announced in the Spring and will be inducted on “Hall of Fame Weekend” on a to-be-determined date in October, 2026. The induction ceremony is open to the public.

Former student-athletes are eligible for nomination 10 years after the academic year of their NIU graduation class. (A former student-athlete's graduation class must be 2015-16 or earlier.) Coaches, administrators and staff are eligible five years after retirement or departure from NIU Intercollegiate Athletics. The deadline for ‘Class of 2026’ nominations is January 31, 2026.

NIU Athletics Hall of Fame Nomination Form

NIU Athletics Hall of Fame History

Hall of Fame and Varsity Club Ring Order Form