Check back to this page for the latest news and updates regarding NIU Athletics' events and messaging during the coronavirus pandemic. For daily content, follow NIU Athletics on Twitter (@NIUAthletics), Instagram (niuhuskies) and Facebook (NIU Huskies). 


2020 HUSKIE SUMMER CIRCUIT POSTPONED
Plans for the 2020 Huskie Summer Circuit this June, featuring NIU coaches and administrators heading out on the road to visit with fans across Chicagoland, were well underway when COVID-19 shut down all activities in March. Currently, NIU is exploring options to delay the event or to turn it into a virtual gathering with updates from all Huskie coaches. Stay tuned!  

FRAZIER PROVIDES VIDEO UPDATE
On Monday, April 6, NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier provided a video update the NIU fans and supporters on his and NIU Athletics' focus during this unprecedented time. Watch the video message above. 

NCAA EXTENDS RECRUITING DEAD PERIOD
On April 3, 2020, the NCAA Division I Council Coordination Committee extended the recruiting dead period for all sports to May 31, 2020.  This follows the earlier decision that suspended all in-person recruiting (on and off campus) through April 15.  NIU and all coaches are permitted to recruit via written and electronic means, including emails, text messages, letters and phone calls.

HUSKIE COACHES RELEASE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY VIDEO
NIU Athletics head coaches are doing their part to promote social distancing and local, state and federal government regulations during this time. The 16 coaches recorded a video message to Huskie Nation and stay safe and healthy Huskies! 


 
COMPETITIONS & PRACTICES CANCELED
On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Northern Illinois University Athletics, along with the entire Mid-American Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, announced the cancellation of all upcoming games and championships for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The cancellation also applied to all practice activities. See NIU Athletics' FULL RELEASE here.  
 
2020 FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET RENEWAL DEADLINE EXTENDED
NIU Athletics has extended the renewal deadline for 2020 Huskie Football season tickets to May 15, 2020 in consideration of the effects of the coronavirus on fans and supporters. The original deadline was April 11, 2020 but is no longer in effect. This extension also applies to the 2020 Huskie Chi-Town Showdown game versus BYU at SeatGeek Stadium on October 24.   
 
Fans with questions about season ticket renewals or purchasing new season tickets can contact the NIU Athletics Ticket Office via email at huskiestickets@niu.edu or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) and leaving a message. A member of the Ticket Office staff will return your call.  Huskie Athletic Fund donors can also reach the HAF staff via email at huskieathleticfund@niu.edu or on the phone at 815-753-1923 only.  The offices are not open for external visitors at this time. 
 
To renew or purchase football season tickets now, and for all 2020 football season ticket information, CLICK HERE.
 
NCAA RECRUITING DEAD PERIOD
In its announcement cancelling the remaining winter championships and spring sports seasons on March 12, the MAC also suspended all in-person recruiting for all sports, both on and off campus.  On March 18, the NCAA followed suit with an immediate ban on in-person recruiting for Division I coaches until at least April 15.  NIU and all coaches are permitted to recruit via written and electronic means, including emails, text messages, letters and phone calls.

THESE HUSKIE EVENTS WILL NOT BE HELD
Competitions and practices are not the only upcoming NIU Athletics events to be canceled due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, we will be unable to reschedule these this spring.  

• April 11 – Open Spring Football Practice/Huskie Athletic Fund Donor Event
• May 3 – The Victors, annual student-athlete awards ceremony
• Postseason Awards Banquets for all sports.

 
VICTOR E. BASH TO GO VIRTUAL
NIU's new premiere fundraising event – the Victor E. Bash – is going completely virtual for 2020 and will be pushed back to later this year. Previously scheduled for May 2, 2020 in the NIU Convocation Center, this event will go online, allowing even more Huskie fans to take part. More details will be shared as available.
 
STAY CONNECTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
While NIU games and events won't be happening this spring, fans can still keep up with the Huskies on our social media channels. It's a great way to stay connected to your favorite NIU teams and student-athletes. In addition to continuing stories and coverage on NIUHuskies.com, NIU's official athletics accounts on Twitter (@NIUAthletics), Instagram (niuhuskies) and Facebook (NIUHuskies) have several fun upcoming campaigns to watch for, and we are already releasing videos from our collection, which can also be found on our YouTube channel (NIUAthletics). New subscribers welcome! Also check out all the individual teams' and coaches social accounts here on our Social Media Headquarters.
 
SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS
NIU is also encouraging fans in the DeKalb area to support our restaurant partners during this time with many still open for carryout and delivery. See the graphic below for details.
 
 
BEYOND ATHLETICS
Please refer to the following links for information on COVID-19.
 
Northern Illinois University Coronavirus Updates
State of Illinois Coronavirus Updates
CDC Coronavirus Updates
NCAA Coronavirus Updates