Hello Huskies!

Wow, that was fast!  September flew by in the blink of an eye and here we are in October and it's time to get ready for Huskie Basketball season!

More on that in a bit, but first, I am very pleased to present our 2017-18 NIU Athletics Annual Report.

I hope you will take the time to read through and look back on a great year for Huskie Athletics. From the highest cumulative GPA in school history to fundraising success to All-Americans in multiple sports, there was a lot to celebrate in 2017-18. 

We honored our past with the induction of a new Hall of Fame class and completed our three-year Strategic Plan, while preparing our next Strategic Plan, which will be unveiled this fall. I am excited about the facility projects that we will see come to completion in 2018-19, including the new videoboard system already installed in the Convocation Center and the refurbishment of the Nelson Club Premium Area. You'll have to stay tuned for the next announcement, but it's coming soon!!

Now, about our basketball teams, which officially opened practices for 2018-19 last week. Head Coach Mark Montgomery's men's squad returns all five starters from a year ago, led by junior Eugene German. Geno is a dynamic player who can light up the new scoreboard! The non-conference schedule is loaded as we'll go on the road to take on some of the nation's best – like Michigan State and Butler – and welcome a pair of 2018 conference champions to the Convo in Northern Kentucky and UC Davis.

The NIU women's team also returns the MAC's leading scorer in senior Courtney Woods, along with three other starters off a team that went 15-15 a year ago. This year, Head Coach Lisa Carlsen's squad will play in the Preseason WNIT and take on Indiana, Montana and North Dakota State in non-conference play, along with a long list of in-state foes.

We have a couple of opportunities for you to find out more about the Huskie Basketball teams – including a chance for you to meet the Huskies – this month.  On Sunday, October 21, NIU will hold "HuskieVision Unveiled" in the Convocation Center beginning at 2 p.m.  In addition to an autograph session with our basketball, gymnastics and wrestling teams, the Huskie inflatables, and concessions for sale, the highlight of this event will be the chance for you to get your first look at – and watch a movie – on the new videoboard system.  I cannot wait for you all to see this board!  The new scoreboards truly have a transformational effect on the arena.  All I can say is WOW.

I expect the renovated Nelson Club, our basketball premium area located above the north stands, to make the same impact. Thanks to the generous donation of David and Linda Nelson as part of the Campaign to Sustain, work is set to get underway on renovations that will significantly upgrade this area. Enhancements will include new seating with access to small side tables in the seating bowl, a removable glass wall to open the space to the arena with a 14-chair bar rail, new carpeting, lighting and food and beverage spaces, including a custom bar.  The Nelson Club will be operable for every game in 2018-19, with all of the renovations set to be completed by the end of 2018. 

I hope you will consider the new Nelson Club as an option when looking at purchasing basketball season tickets – it's going to be a great place to watch a game! For more information on the Nelson Club, courtside seating for both men's and women's basketball and more, call the Huskie Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923 or go online to huskieathleticfund.com.   

Basketball season ticket members – and there is plenty of time for you to become a season ticket member for either the men's or women's program (or both) – are invited to Eduardo's in downtown DeKalb on Wednesday, October 24 from 6-8 p.m. for a meet and greet, including free appetizers, with the basketball coaching staffs. Pick up your season tickets, or purchase them on the spot or online anytime at NIUHuskies.com/tickets!

As you can tell, I'm fired up about basketball season, but there is still plenty of football, soccer and volleyball to look forward to as well.

The football Huskies are 2-0 in the MAC after a big overtime win at Eastern Michigan. The team showed a lot of heart and desire in critical situations and found a way to get the W! I love watching our team, they know how to get after it. I hope to see you all as we celebrate NIU's 112^th Homecoming on October 13^th with a big game against MAC East favorite Ohio. We need all of Huskie Nation to be there to cheer on these players!

Our other "football" team, I'm talking about men's soccer, is getting it done too, as Ryan Swan's squad put together its longest winning streak since 2011, and re-claimed the Lewang Trophy in the annual battle with Milwaukee.  Congratulations too, to NIU volleyball coach Ray Gooden - the "dean" of NIU coaches now in his 17^th season – who won his 300^th career match, becoming just the sixth coach in Mid-American Conference history to reach that mark.

These 2018-19 NIU teams are writing the stories of our NEXT annual report today! Don't miss the chance to be there and see these moments in person.

As always, GO HUSKIES!
 

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