DeKALB, Ill. – A true team effort by Northern Illinois University Athletics donors, alumni and athletics alumni, staff, coaches and student-athletes, resulted in the resounding success of the 2020 Virtual Victor E. Bash, NIU's annual premiere fundraiser. 
 
Despite moving to a completely online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 10-day event featuring five nights of YouTube programming, an online auction, raffle and gear sale, and a virtual wine and spirits pull, resulted in $156,000 in revenue to support NIU student-athletes. That total exceeded the $150,000 goal – established prior to the coronavirus shutdown and subsequent move to a virtual event - and even surpassed previous editions of the Victor E. Ball, the precursor to this year's Victor E. Bash.
 
"Congratulations to everyone associated with the success of this year's Virtual Victor E. Bash," said NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier. "We cannot thank our dedicated donors and supporters enough for stepping up during these unprecedented times to support Huskie student-athletes. Each and every purchase, bid and donation will make a difference as we move forward.
 
"I also want to commend our entire staff, and especially Patrick Gorman and his team at Huskie Vision for their work on the YouTube programming. Thanks also go out to the NIU football greats who joined us during the week, including Jordan Lynch, Joe Novak, Michael Turner, Larry English, Max Scharping and Chad Beebe."
 
Between June 10-19, NIU premiered five "shows" on the NIU Huskies YouTube channel for the Virtual Victor E. Bash which drew more than 3,500 views from 2,481 unique viewers and nearly 823 watch hours (as of June 22). Topping the list was a "Watch Party" of NIU Football's 2003 upset of Maryland with commentary from former head coach Novak that even had current head coach Thomas Hammock on the edge of his seat as the Huskies' triumphed in overtime.
 

Why am I nervous ?????? https://t.co/rozwYTCmlu

— Thomas Hammock (@NIUCoachHammock) June 19, 2020

 
Lynch and Frazier took fans back to the 2013 season as the Huskie All-American quarterback made his run for the Heisman Trophy, while Hammock hosted a Huskies in the Pros Panel featuring Turner, English, Scharping and Beebe as they reminisced about their favorite NIU memories and shared stories of their time in the NFL. The Victor E. Bash Kickoff with Frazier and Voice of the Huskies Bill Baker opened the 10-day event, and included NIU head coaches and student-athletes, as did the finale and "Thank You" on the final day. NIU head coaches and staff interacted with fans via the YouTube chat stream and answered their questions during the events.
 
All of the videos that premiered during the Victor E. Bash are available to watch on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel and more, similar content is planned for the future. Subscribe to the channel for free today; sign up for notifications to never miss a Huskie video upload. 
 
Throughout the 10 days of the Virtual Victor E. Bash, Huskie fans and alumni participated in the silent auction which saw a record number of bids and winners for items like NIU gear from all sports, unique experiences, autographed memorabilia and more. Fans snapped up NIU jerseys and helmets previously only available for purchase in-person through the Gear Sale. 
 
One of the most unique and popular events of the Victor E. Bash was the first ever NIU Wine and Spirits Pull as fans "bought" numbers for $35 each that corresponded to mystery bottles worth from $35 to $145. Amazingly, all 62 numbers sold out in less than two minutes. Local producers Whiskey Acres Distilling Company, Kennay Farms Distillery and Acquaviva Winery were among the businesses and individuals who supported the Wine and Spirits Pull with donations.
 
Since the first Victor E. Ball in 2015, the Huskies' premiere fundraising events, including the 2020 Virtual Victor E. Bash, have resulted in more than $650,000 in support of NIU student-athletes. Click here to donate today.
 
The 2020 Virtual Victor E. Bash wrapped up with a sincere Thank You Message from Huskie Athletics administrators, coaches and student-athletes to everyone who participated in the event by donating to support student-athletes, participating in the auction, wine and spirits pull or gear sale, or simply tuning in to the YouTube Channel.
 
-- NIU --