Happy Fall Huskies!
 
Is it just me or is this school year flying by?  We are already more than a month into the Fall 2022 semester, are entering the second third of the football regular season, will reach the halfway point of the volleyball season this weekend while the NIU soccer teams are into the second half of their seasons. Basketball, wrestling and gymnastics are right around the corner; after Saturday, cross country has just one meet remaining before the MAC Championships at the end of October and the NIU golf and tennis fall seasons are in full swing!
 
To top it off, next week is one of the most action-packed of the fall as the entire university comes together to celebrate NIU's 115th Homecoming. If you have not been back to campus recently, I hope you will consider joining us here in DeKalb for a very special week. There is nothing like reuniting with friends, teammates and coaches to catch up, reminisce and reconnect, as we saw earlier this year during the Vanderbilt game when more than 40 members of the 2012 Orange Bowl team came together for the first time in 10 years. The university administration has put a renewed emphasis on Homecoming this year with a packed slate of events, and here at NIU Athletics, we are encouraging all Huskies to "Come Home" to help us celebrate.
 
115th Homecoming Weekend Highlights
                Thursday, Oct. 6, 5-8 pm – Down Home in Downtown DeKalb Block Party
                Friday, Oct. 7, 5 pm Reception/6 pm Program – 35th Hall of Fame Induction | Open to the Public
                Friday, Oct. 7, 6 pm – NIU Volleyball vs. Bowling Green | Get Tickets
                Saturday, Oct. 8, 2:30 pm – NIU Football vs. Toledo | Get Tickets
                Saturday, Oct. 8, 7 pm – NIU Volleyball vs. Miami (Ohio) | Get Tickets
                Sunday, Oct. 9, 10 am – Title IX 50th Anniversary Brunch | Registration Closed
                Sunday, Oct. 9, 1 pm – NIU Women's Soccer vs. Akron | Free Admission
                Sunday, Oct. 9, 3:30 pm – NIU Men's Soccer vs. Western Michigan | Free Admission
 
The Homecoming Weekend festivities kick off Thursday night, October 6 at the Down Home in Downtown DeKalb Block Party. This new event features something for everyone, including activities for the kids, the "March of the Huskies," a class car show and discounts at local businesses.  On Friday night (October 7), we will induct one of the largest classes in school history into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame as this year's event is the first since 2019 due to COVID-19. I cannot wait to celebrate each of these 13 outstanding new members of this elite group.

If competition is more your style, the NIU Volleyball team has the first of two important Mid-American Conference matches on Friday night at 6 p.m. in Victor E. Court as they will take on Bowling Green. The game is a Black Out so wear your black. Then, come back Saturday night after the football game to cheer on the Huskies against Miami (Ohio) at 7 p.m. and use your football ticket for free admission. Ray Gooden's team enters this weekend's action at Buffalo on a seven-match winning streak and the atmosphere in Victor E. Court has been electric. Check them out next weekend or in any of their future home matches!
 
On Saturday, October 8, we'll see YOU at Huskie Stadium for the 115th Homecoming game as the Huskies face MAC rival Toledo.  Tailgating lots will open at 9:30 a.m., action in The Yard, including a live band, big screen, sponsor giveaways, kids' zone, and a pregame pep rally with the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and Cheerleaders, starts at 11:30 a.m.  Kickoff for the game is at 2:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at NIUHuskies.com.
 
Homecoming Weekend wraps up on Sunday, October 9th with an event I'm extremely excited about – the Title IX 50th Anniversary Brunch. A tremendous group of current and former student-athletes will come together in the Convocation Center to celebrate Title IX, the federal legislation that changed everything for women in terms of opportunity to compete on an even playing field in NCAA and high school sports. The brunch is going to include a panel discussion on Title IX featuring former NIU athletic director Cary Groth, former softball coach Donna Martin and new Hall of Famer Kristin Hoffman, as well as current head coaches and student-athletes. In addition, the 50 Huskie Greats of the Title IX era announced earlier this year will be honored. What a great opportunity to honor NIU's tradition of excellence in women's athletics and to introduce a new way to support our women's programs moving forward.
 
Following the brunch, the Huskie soccer teams will be in action with a doubleheader at the NIU Soccer/Track & Field Complex. The women's team is off to a solid start under new head coach Michael O'Neill with a 4-4-2 record entering this Sunday's MAC home game. Meanwhile, the NIU men's soccer team is coming off a 0-0 tie at Wisconsin as they head to Akron for a Sunday night game with the Zips on ESPN+. On October 9, matches begin at 1 pm with women's soccer facing Akron, followed by the men's game against Western Michigan.
 
October also means basketball and the Huskies opened official full team practices last week. The season openers for both teams are less than a month away with the NIU women taking on Loras in an exhibition on Saturday, October 29th and the men in exhibition action versus McKendree on October 31st.  Season tickets are on sale now starting at just $35 for women and $80 for men. We're looking forward to an exciting year of Huskie hoops in the Convo!
 
All basketball season ticket members are invited to Fatty's on Tuesday, October 11 for the NIU Basketball Tipoff event with doors open beginning at 5:30 p.m. Meet the coaching staffs, hear from the head coaches and pick up printed season tickets (by request only) while enjoying appetizers and a cash bar.
 
Then, on Wednesday, October 27, get ready for "Huskie Madness" a new season opening event for basketball at the NIU Convocation Center. Get your first look at the NIU teams, enjoy performances from nationally-known artists and celebrate the start of basketball season with the Huskies. Huskie Madness is free to NIU basketball season ticket members and students and $10 for the general public. Look for an official announcement and details on how to get tickets soon. 
 
Finally, mark your calendars and save the date for Huskies Invest, A Week of Giving. The annual fundraising effort will take place from October 24-28 with a focus on giving to support specific areas and projects, including sports programs, NIU Recreation, Club Sports, the Huskie Marching Band and more. More information coming soon!
 
I look forward to seeing many of you back home in DeKalb during next week's Homecoming events, and hope you know that you are welcome back anytime!  "Once a Huskie, always a Huskie!"
 
Happy Homecoming, and happy fall to all!  Go Huskies!
 







Sean T. Frazier
Vice President/Director of Athletics & Recreation