DeKALB, Ill. – The Victor E. Bash, Northern Illinois University Athletics' premiere fundraising event, is back in its online, virtual format June 3-11, 2021 with Huskie fans, friends and alumni invited to tune in to unique programming, bid on great auction items and donate to show their support for NIU's 17 sports programs and 400 student-athletes.
 
The virtual format – with most events available on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel or at the online auction site – enables fans from across the country to participate. As NIU continues to recover from a year in which the COVID-19 shutdown impacted the Huskies' ability to sell tickets and welcome fans to its facilities, events like the Victor E. Bash are more important than ever.
 
This year, the Victor E. Bash will incorporate both The Victors, NIU Athletics' Student-Athlete Awards Show, and the Huskie Summer Circuit, featuring NIU's head coaches. Join the Watch Party as we look back at the Huskie men's basketball team's 1999 win over a Final Four-bound Wisconsin team in Chick Evans Fieldhouse, and get those fingers ready to click and win during the Wine and Spirits Pull.
 
There is no charge to watch any of the events on NIU Athletics' YouTube Channel or to sign up and participate in the online auction. While several events will "premiere" or debut live at the specified time during the Victor E. Bash celebration, all of the YouTube and online content can be viewed at any time. 
 
The complete schedule for the 2021 Victor E. Bash, along with details on each event, is below.
 
Thursday, June 3-Friday, June 11: Victor E. Bash Online Auction 
            Bid on a wide variety of Huskie gear, signed memorabilia and experiences from all sports programs at all pricing levels. Check out the items beginning Tuesday, June 1, while bidding opens at 9 a.m. (CT) on Thursday, June 3.  The auction will close at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 11 at the conclusion of the 2021 Victor E. Bash. The auction is a great way to support student-athletes AND get your hands on some new gear and/or experiences. New items will be added throughout the 10 days of the Victor E. Bash so bookmark the page and check back often!
 
Thursday, June 3 – The 2021 NIU Victors Student-Athlete Awards (Premiere on YouTube)
What better way to kick off the 2021 Victor E. Bash than the 2021 NIU Victors Student-Athlete Awards show.  Catch the premiere on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel as Huskie student-athletes present a new take on the traditional awards show this year. This event always includes a few surprises and some fun video elements.
 
Monday, June 7 – Watch Party! 1999 NIU Basketball Defeats Wisconsin in Chick Evans Fieldhouse (Premiere on YouTube)
            Relive one of the biggest NIU Basketball wins in school history and hear from some of the players who were in Chick Evans Fieldhouse when the Huskies knocked off a Badgers' team that went on to play in the Final Four.    
 
Wednesday, June 9 – 2021 Virtual Huskie Summer Circuit, 6 p.m. (Watch Live on YouTube)
            The Summer Circuit meets the Victor E. Bash in 2021 as fans are invited to join NIU Athletics coaches from all sports along with Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier for this online and interactive version of the annual gathering. Hear directly from the coaches as they provide an update on their programs and ask questions via the YouTube Live Chat.
 
Thursday, June 10 – Virtual Wine & Spirits Pull, 7 p.m. (Online at Victor E. Bash Auction Website)
            One of the most popular events of last year's Victor E. Bash returns in this game where everyone – who is quick enough to jump in and play, that is – wins! Purchase a number for $40 and receive the bottle of wine or spirit that matches your number, worth up to $175. You won't know what you've won until the contents are revealed during the "pull."  This event sold out in MINUTES last year so be ready!
 
Friday, June 11 – 2021 Victor E. Bash Wrap-Up and Thank You Event, 6 p.m. (Watch Live on YouTube)
            Join NIU and NIU Weekly host Andy Garcia as they wrap up the 2021 Victor E. Bash and take the opportunity to thank all of the supporters and participants. This event will include a look at several of the success stories of the 2020-21 season.   
 
Subscribe to the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel and click the bell at the top of the page to be notified every time a video is added. The channel is being consistently populated with season highlights, interviews, promotional videos, student-athlete stories and more, including the shows from the 2020 Victor E. Bash.  All live shows and recordings from the Victor E. Bash will also be available to rewatch, or see for the first time, anytime. The Huskies' official social media channels – Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – will also provide links and coverage of the 2021 Victor E. Bash.  To support NIU Athletics and Huskie student-athletes anytime, go to huskieathleticfund.com. 
 
-- NIU --