General | December 8

Happy Holidays Huskies!

It's hard to believe we're coming to the end of 2017 as another year has flown by here at NIU.

In addition to the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the end of the fall semester (finals!) and another group of student-athletes preparing for graduation, I am loving this December because the Huskie football team is BACK in the postseason!

After an eight-win season, achieved behind a ferocious defense and an offense led by a freshman quarterback, NIU is headed to the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit where we will take on Duke on Tuesday, December 26^th at Ford Field. This bowl game provides an exciting opportunity for both our team and our fans for many different reasons, such as:

• Enjoy the game INSIDE the comfort of Ford Field with no elements to contend with in a first-class stadium our fans and players know very well.
• It's an easy day trip to Detroit for most Huskie fans. Spend Christmas at home, then head east on Tuesday.
• An ACC opponent in Duke; NIU is the only MAC team that will face a "Power 5" team in its bowl game, giving us another chance at a "boneyard" victory.
• A first-class hotel for the players, who will receive bowl gifts and gear, and one more chance to play together.

With our proximity and familiarity to Detroit, there's no reason we can't make this a great home field advantage and cheer the Huskies on to a bowl victory!

So Huskie fans, especially those of you who can't make it when we travel to Florida, or California for a bowl game, here is your chance to be a part of bowl season! Buy your tickets NOW and please, buy them through NIU! Every ticket purchased through the NIU Ticket Office or online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies, benefits NIU Athletics and NIU student-athletes.  We MUST return our leftover ticket allotment to the Quick Lane Bowl on December 17, so don't wait, purchase through NIU no later than December 16.

If you can't get to Detroit, we are partnering with Vet Tix to provide donated tickets to the Quick Lane Bowl to all branches of currently serving military and veterans and their families.  Through the organization, the tickets you purchase through NIU for the Quick Lane Bowl will provide a fantastic collegiate football game experience for those who most deserve our support. Simply choose the "Donate Tickets" option as a delivery option when purchasing online or mention it when on the phone with our Ticket Office.

As temperatures drop this December, it's time to head inside to the Convocation Center where the Huskie Basketball teams are heating up!  There's no doubt NIU's challenging non-conference schedule featuring games versus Milwaukee, Iowa, Iowa State, Green Bay, UIC and Marquette is preparing Mark Montgomery's young team for the rigors of the MAC this January and February.  In every game, you are almost guaranteed to see lightning-quick guard Eugene German do something that will make your jaw drop.  Believe me, he's worth the price of admission! 

By the way, you will find the price of admission for both men's and women's basketball amazingly reasonable.  Be sure to check out the NIU Basketball Flex Plans starting at just $53 for 12 tickets to any combination of NIU women's basketball games, or for just $65, get 12 admissions to NIU men's games. Then choose the games that work with your schedule!

Lisa Carlsen once again has her Huskie women's basketball team running and gunning while putting up plenty of points.  After advancing to the MAC Championship game AND playing in the postseason for the first time since 1995 a year ago, this team has already defeated a series of in-state opponents and is headed to a tournament in Puerto Rico before returning home to start conference play.

Bottom line, get to the Convocation Center this basketball season!  In addition to the great basketball action, check out the new promotions and concessions choices with food and even desserts from local vendors now available at the Convo, along with several beer options.

The 2017-18 NIU basketball promotions include Taco Tuesdays and Winning Wednesdays with concession deals like tacos, margaritas and one dollar sodas, and discounted tickets for future games. There are Family Meal Deals for all doubleheaders, and we've added concessions service for courtside seats.  All the details are on the promotions page at NIUHuskies.com.

There was more good news on the academic front last month when the NCAA released its annual Graduation Success Rate Report. The NIU men's basketball program achieved its highest GSR in school history to lead another stellar effort by all Huskie student-athletes. The football program also ranked among the best in the nation with a GSR of 84 percent, good for second in the MAC and tied for 20^th among all NCAA FBS schools. Our student-athletes combined for an overall GSR of 86 percent and I'm proud to say that NIU has posted the four highest GSR marks in school history in the past four years.  I look forward to congratulating the newest group of student-athlete grads on December 16!

Finally, thanks to each of the 175 donors who stepped up during our Week of Giving to raise $115,667 toward the Campaign to Sustain. Through your generosity, we surpassed our $100,000 goal for the week as we continue to work to support NIU student-athletes. Thank You!

The Campaign to Sustain continues! If you wish to make an end of the year gift, please contact the Huskie Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923 or donate online at NIUSustain.com. And, save the date for the 2018 Victor E. Ball which will be held April 14, 2018 at NIU Naperville Campus.  More details to come in January!    

As we close out the year, I want to wish all of Huskie Nation a very happy holiday season and all the best in 2018!  I look forward to seeing you in Detroit or at the NIU Convocation Center soon!

Go Huskies!
 

 Sean T. Frazier
NIU Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics