General | August 16

Welcome to 2018-19 Huskie Fans!

While many of you are enjoying the last weeks of summer, that is NOT the case here at NIU Athletics as we are in full-scale preseason mode! 

We have teams practicing, photo shoots, equipment fittings and distribution, media days and exhibition games. I absolutely LOVE IT.  This is the time of year that, as an athletic director, as a coach, and as a fan, the anticipation is building. I can't wait to see our teams when I visit with each of them during the preseason. I get fired up by the hustle and bustle around our facilities as we prepare to welcome our fans and host games again.

As we officially turn the corner into the 2018-19 academic year, I'm pleased to announce the elevation of two deserving members of our senior staff who have made great contributions to the continuing success of NIU Athletics.  First, current Senior Associate Athletic Director John Cheney will now have the title of Executive Associate Athletic Director, which better encompasses the expanded role he has taken on in the areas of ticket sales and football administration over the past year. In addition, Lisa Stocksdale will now be an Associate Athletic Director and will take on additional duties as sport administrator for our men's and women's tennis programs, in addition to her work as our human resources contact and with the Huskie Athletic Fund. 

I know that John and Lisa will continue to have a great impact on Huskie Athletics and NIU student-athletes.

It's been a great summer in terms of both planning and progress on several fronts (e.g. new videoboards for the Convocation Center), but it's (almost) game time and I, for one, cannot wait.

First up is our women's soccer team under head coach Julie Colhoff as they play the first official competition of 2018 – and the first of her Huskie coaching career – tomorrow (August 17) at Milwaukee, and open the home schedule on Thursday, August 23 versus Western Illinois.  After that, we are off and running with volleyball and coach Ray Gooden – who begins his 17^th year at the helm of that program – welcoming Oklahoma, Xavier and DePaul to Victor E. Court for the NIU Invitational for two full days of action on Friday and Saturday (August 24-25). Men's soccer plays its first official game on August 24 as well, with second-year head coach Ryan Swan and his team looking to make some noise in the MAC this year.

I hope you'll head out to the Huskie Soccer and Track and Field Complex this season, where admission is free (and the adult beverages are just $3) all season long! 

Don't forget to get your 2018 volleyball season tickets! For pure fun and entertainment, not to mention a great view of every point, you cannot beat the atmosphere at Victor E. Court.  It's inexpensive, family-friendly and action-packed.

You can buy volleyball tickets, check the team schedules, and read Q&A's with all three of these coaches online at NIUHuskies.com. While you're there, be sure to check out the story and photo gallery on the NIU soccer student-athletes who spent 10 days in Rwanda this summer.  What an amazing experience for them and just one example of how our student-athletes – and former student-athletes – are making an impact in their local communities, and around the world!

In addition to these three fall teams, the NIU cross country team, and head coach Adrian Myers, have their sights set on a MAC Championship, and the Huskie golf programs open their 2018-19 schedules in September, with the men playing host to the Northern Intercollegiate at Rich Harvest Farms Sept. 15-16 in their lone home tournament of the year. 

The 2018 Huskie Football team has been practicing since August 3 and by the time the season kicks off at Iowa on September 1, they will be ready to go. Watching practice, I can tell you, this team is HUNGRY.  Consensus All-American Sutton Smith can't wait to get back out there after the break-out season he had in 2017.   

The upperclassmen – like standout offensive tackle and Academic All-American Max Scharping – want to leave their mark on this program and they are leading the way. These guys are committed to building on NIU's long tradition of success by returning the Huskies to Detroit for the MAC Championship game. 

Many have called NIU's 2018 non-conference schedule the toughest in the country, and the Huskie players are embracing the challenge. Iowa, Utah, Florida State and BYU – this is what we came to NIU for – they say! They are ready for the challenge, are you? 

Are you ready to be here at Huskie Stadium on five game days this fall?  Five game days, that's what we're asking. Please, let's have no excuses – just show up and have a great time supporting these hard-working, deserving student-athletes. Show up early and tailgate, or show up at kickoff and cheer. Bring some friends, the kids, meet up with fellow alums, drop by The Yard (it's free) for great music, a pre-game rally with the band, Silverettes and cheerleaders, Mission, Victor E. Huskie and more! 

With some of the least expensive season ticket prices in the FBS, a mini-plan option that allows you to choose your games, the Family Pack, as well as seating options that bring you close to the action (the brand new End Zone Club) – or in heated comfort (Sky Box), there is literally something for everyone. As a result of your input, we're adding some amenities to the Coaches' Club including more seating and the ability to hear the game broadcast. Check out all the ticket options, and the premium seating and experiences, at these links.  

Order Football Tickets Now
Football Premium Tickets
Football Premium Experience
  
We're going to celebrate this year, too, beginning September 8 when Utah becomes the first Pac 12 team to play in Huskie Stadium. When I came to NIU, all I heard was, we want good non-conference opponents in Huskie Stadium. Well last year, the home opener featured the ACC's Boston College, and now we've got a historic visit by Utah. In order to get more games like these in the future, we need you to help us fill the stands on September 8 and all season long!

If you've already ordered your season tickets, thank you!  We are in the process of putting those packets together and you will see them in your mailbox soon.  Of course, there is still time to order season tickets, call 815-753-PACK (7225) or online at NIUHuskies.com. 

Season ticket members, I hope to see all of you at our 2018 Football Kickoff Lunch on Saturday, August 25^th beginning at 11 a.m. in Altgeld Auditorium on campus. Due to the high school tripleheader being held at Huskie Stadium on this date, we've moved this event from a breakfast at Fatty's to lunch at Altgeld, catered by Fatty's.  I hope to see all season ticket members there to get the latest news on the 2018 season from Head Coach Rod Carey, and meet the members of the 2018 NIU Football Leadership Council.

Ticket sales, specifically season ticket sales, are critical to revenue generation and sustaining all of our programs. Just as important, as discussed in the last Frazier's Corner (June 21) are our fundraising efforts, built around the four pillars of Annual Giving to the Huskie Athletic Fund, the Victor E. Ball, Gift-in-Kind donations and Huskies Invest, the Week of Giving.

On that note, I'm happy to announce that the date for next year's Victor E. Ball has been set for April 27, and we will once again return to NIU Naperville so mark that date on your calendars today! 

Alright, it's time to get on to the games! Can't wait to see all of you at Huskie Stadium on September 8 if not before. Let's have another great year and Go Huskies!
 

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