DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team has been named the Mid-American Conference's Give Back Leadership Award honoree for the week of October 26-30, the league office announced on Monday.
 
Over the last few weeks, NIU Volleyball has promoted awareness for voter registration during this election season with "Paws to the Polls". On multiple platforms the Huskies have provided information on how to get registered to vote and how to vote. Through "Paws to the Polls" and in concert with the university as a whole, NIU Volleyball helped not only it's own team reach 100 percent voter registration but several other campus groups reach that mark as well.
 
"NIU Volleyball is just a small part of Huskie Athletics and the NIU community, and we wanted to do our part to help spread awareness about one of the great things we are able to do in this country," said head coach Ray Gooden. "We were thankful to be able to provide a slogan that every Huskie could support and spread during this election. [Assistant Coach] Joe Davidson was able to use his multimedia talents to help out with this effort, and the energy behind it came from our team and all Huskies near and far."
 
The Give Back Leadership Awards are awarded each week to the MAC institution, sport program, or student-athlete that has shown excellence in service and citizenship for that week. The three awards are distributed on a rotating weekly basis to highlight the activities of MAC members in local communities.
 
This is the second time this fall an NIU athletic program has earned the MAC Give Back Leadership award. NIU Women's Soccer was awarded it on Oct. 12 for its involvement in numerous social justice programs and initiatives within the NIU community.
 
--NIU--