Hello Huskies!
 
As the calendar turns to June and we begin to safely emerge from quarantine, I hope you and your family are safe and healthy.
 
The last 10 weeks have been unlike anything any of us has ever experienced. For me, seeing our Huskie Family come together to support our student-athletes and each other while continuing to move the department forward has been gratifying, and reminds me what a special place Northern Illinois University is.
 
Now, we have true signs of moving forward. June is a big month for us at NIU for several reasons.
 
First and foremost, we are excited to welcome student-athletes back to campus this month! Athletics staff members have been a part of Mid-American Conference and Northern Illinois University committees working toward a return to practice, and eventually a return to play, as well as the return of students to campus. After extensive work by our staff in collaboration with state government, local public health officials, our medical team, including doctors from Northwestern Medicine, and the university administration, we have a plan in place to bring student-athletes back.  
 
Football and men's and women's basketball student-athletes, both returnees and newcomers, will be the first group to go through the multi-step process. We have started COVID-19 testing for student-athletes in that group as of today (June 3) and continuing over the next two weeks. Once the results of those tests are received, our athletic trainers and doctors will proceed with a thorough health assessment and evaluation. We will then allow our sports performance staff to assess each individual's fitness to ensure that we are safely beginning these voluntary workouts, and our compliance office will clear everyone according to NCAA guidelines. Currently, our target date for those teams to begin workout groups in the Northwestern Medicine Sports Performance Center and the Chessick Practice Center is June 15^th.  
 
I know the student-athletes are eager to come back, but we will take the time to do it right. This return to campus, and all workouts, are voluntary and will be led by the sports performance staff. Physical distancing guidelines, including the wearing of masks/face coverings by the staff, will be followed in the Yordon Center and workouts will be held in small groups, and even outside whenever possible. Strict protocols for cleaning are also in place and meetings will continue to be held virtually.
 
Speaking of "virtual" – I hope you are planning to join us for the Virtual Victor E. Bash, a series of online events that will take place between June 10-19, 2020. The beauty of the online event is that, while we'll have several interactive "live" events and "premieres," you can also tune in and watch them anytime on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel. We have a complete line-up of shows, activities and events planned, including the Opening Night on June 10 where you will hear from several student-athletes and coaches, an NIU in the Pros Panel featuring Huskie greats on Monday, June 15, and a "Watch Party" of the 2003 NIU-Maryland game with commentary from Coach Joe Novak on Thursday, June 18th.
 
Of course, the Victor E. Bash Online Auction is back with Huskie gear, unique experiences and more, and we have added a wine and spirits pull on that site on Wednesday, June 17th, that I will be watching closely! You can view the auction items beginning today at the link and then start bidding on June 10^th.  
 
I'm sure I don't have to tell you that, given the financial uncertainties across higher education caused by the pandemic, the ability to raise funds to support student-athletes through events like the Virtual Victor E. Bash is more important than ever. I hope you enjoy the online features, and I'm excited that more people have a chance to be part of the fun.  Remember, you don't have to wait until June 10^th to donate, you can give at any time here (https://www.myniu.com/give.php?c=1061) or by contacting a member of the Huskie Athletic Fund staff via email (huskieathleticfund@niu.edu) or phone.  
 
If you haven't checked out the NIU Athletics YouTube channel, join us TONIGHT at 6 p.m. for the Huskie Summer Circuit. I will be there, and you will hear from all 16 of our head coaches. Register here and be entered into a drawing to win sideline passes to a game this fall or Huskie gear! During the live event, you have the ability to ask questions via the chat, just as if we were all together. 
 
Now, let me take a minute to brag on Huskie student-athletes who, despite having their worlds upended, their seasons cancelled, the ability to work out together taken away, and all classes moved to remote learning, absolutely crushed it in the classroom this spring. The cumulative GPA of our 400 student-athletes came in at a school-record 3.33, with 15 of 16 teams now holding a cumulative GPA above 3.0.  For the semester, Huskie student-athletes combined for a term GPA of 3.68. Records were set across the board, including by the NIU gymnastics team whose students combined for a semester GPA of 3.967. Wow!
 
I could not be prouder of their effort and their determination to take advantage of the opportunity to focus on academics.
 
I also want to congratulate the entire Student-Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS) staff who made a huge pivot to the remote learning structure. They were there every step of the way, setting up online tutors, or ensuring the students had equipment and even adequate internet access to achieve these academic results.
 
Finally, we all know that our country, along with the rest of the world, is struggling right now; first, we were faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently race relations, which has for far too long been a complex and difficult issue in America. 

Historically, athletics has been a place where racial barriers have been faced and broken down. We want to ensure that all NIU student-athletes, regardless of race, understand what is happening right now.  We are currently providing support through programming, and holding candid discussions with and among student-athletes to help raise awareness and pinpoint constructive ways we can move in a positive direction as a Huskie Family. We will continue to work proactively with our university to provide these opportunities, support and education for Huskie student-athletes, staff and community. 

It's been quite a journey these last few months Huskies, and we're far from done. We know there are challenges ahead, but I have confidence in us – together – to continue moving forward.
 
Go Huskies!
 
 
 



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