DeKALB, Ill. – As part of the ongoing Campaign to Sustain fundraising initiative, Northern Illinois University Athletics is inviting all Huskie fans, alumni and friends to show their support for NIU student-athletes during the week of November 5-9 in a special "Week of Giving" dubbed "Huskies Invest."
 
NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier, along with NIU coaches, are asking supporters to invest in NIU's 17 sports programs and more than 400 student-athletes who are working every day to continue to build on the tradition and success established by their predecessors in Cardinal and Black.
 
"Huskies Invest is about supporting the most fundamental and important part of our athletic department and that is the student-athletes," Frazier said.  "We wanted to spend a week shining a spotlight on our student-athletes across every program, and ask members of Huskie Nation to help us grow and help us continue the proud tradition of NIU Athletics by giving to the Huskie Athletic Fund during this week. Last week we launched the Drive for 25 in an effort to increase our membership to 2,500 and Huskies Invest is an excellent way to get involved in that initiative."   
 
From November 5-9, 2018, NIU is attempting to raise $200,000 to offset unrestricted operational needs as well as fund Cost of Attendance stipends for Huskie student-athletes.  In 2015, the NCAA began allowing schools to provide Cost of Attendance funding to student-athletes, which provides additional resources above and beyond room, board, books and tuition, as the time demands of student-athletes in most cases do not allow them to hold a job.
 
Continuing to provide Cost of Attendance is critical for NIU coaches in recruiting top student-athletes, and is an important component in student-athlete well-being, helping ease financial burdens and allowing them to succeed both in the classroom and in competition. 
 
Throughout the week, NIU Athletics' message will focus on its student-athlete stories which will be showcased in videos, graphics, photos, and social media platforms, including YouTube (NIU Huskie Athletic Fund channel).  Progress toward the $200,000 goal will be charted on the Campaign to Sustain website at NIUSustain.com. While unrestricted giving and Cost of Attendance are the primary focus of Huskies Invest, donations toward sport specific programs are equally important to advance and continue to build the future of NIU Athletics.

This year, NIU has added an online auction to the Week of Giving.  There will be a number of items featuring memorabilia from Chicagoland sports stars, including the likes of Michael Jordan, Bobby Hull, Walter Payton, Mike Ditka and many others.    
 
"The hope is that we will surpass the $200,000 goal during this week," Frazier said.  "The Campaign to Sustain is an extremely important initiative as we build the future of NIU Athletics, and Huskies Invest is just another way to bring attention to this effort."
 
Huskies Invest will be showcased during all NIU Athletics home events beginning Saturday, November 3 with the NIU women's basketball exhibition game versus St. Francis and culminating with the volleyball and men's basketball contests on Friday, November 9.
 
For more information, to participate in Huskies Invest or to discuss giving opportunities, go to NIUSustain.com or call the Huskie Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923.

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