DeKALB, Ill. – When the Northern Illinois University Huskies take the field for Saturday's 3 p.m. game versus the Ohio Bobcats, it will mark the 116th Homecoming game in school history as NIU's annual celebration of Homecoming is the oldest in Illinois and one of the oldest in the nation.
Celebrate NIU's 116th Homecoming with the Huskies
Homecoming is annually one of the biggest celebrations of the year as NIU welcomes alumni back to campus and takes time to celebrate the history and tradition of Northern Illinois University. The Huskie Marching Band will be joined by up to 100 of its alumni during pregame and halftime, when the Homecoming Court presentation will take place. Colleges and departments are holding pregame events, and the entire week has seen community members, students, faculty and staff filled with Huskie Spirit and Huskie Pride.
The Huskie Football team will be honoring its past by wearing helmet decals made famous by Huskie teams from 2006-2013 Saturday.
Before the Game: Jersey Giveaway and Huskie Rush
The first 1,000 fans in the stands this Saturday will receive a red Huskie football jersey, courtesy of game sponsor Old National Bank. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. and kickoff is at 3:02 p.m. so be sure to leave plenty of time to get into Huskie Stadium, get to your seats and even make a stop at the concession stands before the action starts. The giveaway will be available on both sides of Huskie Stadium.
NIU students can get hyped for Homecoming by participating in the "Huskie Rush" – running the full 120 yards plus across Brigham Field just before the Huskies take the field. There is still time for NIU students to sign up and be a part of the "Rush".
Click here to register.
Tailgate Time
All donor and Convocation Center lots open five hours prior to kickoff. Get into the lots and start your Homecoming tailgate beginning at 10 a.m., then be sure to get into the game in time for kickoff at 3!
Check Out "The Yard"
The Yard, located on the West Side of Huskie Stadium, is free and open to all with pregame entertainment, food and drink available for purchase, NIU sponsor giveaways and displays, the Huskie Athletic Fund tent and more. This week, enjoy music from the band AudioDrive, a pep rally with the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and NIU Cheerleaders at 2 p.m., and photo opportunities with Victor E. Huskie and Mission. Bring the kids to the Pup Club Kids' Zone with inflatables (weather permitting), mini-football field, football toss as well as a face painter. The Yard opens at Noon and closes at 2:45 p.m. to give you plenty of time to get into the game.
Remember, Clear Bags Only
NIU's clear bag policy allows fans to carry in a Clear Tote Bag, no larger than 12"x12"x6" or a clear one-gallon plastic bag. Clutch purses are permitted but cannot be larger than 5.5"x 8.5"x3" (approximately the size of a half sheet of 8 1/2x11 paper). Please leave all other bags in your vehicle. All bags are subject to inspection.
Clearing Skies!
While this week's rain is forecast to be cleared out by Saturday afternoon, a reminder that umbrellas are NOT permitted inside Huskie Stadium! Bring your poncho, hat or raincoat (but it's not going to rain ??)!
Get Your Tickets Now and Download in Advance!
Purchasing tickets in advance offers a $5 savings off both East (general admission) and West (reserved) Side tickets compared the game day (walk-up) price AND provides the option to select your seats! Single game tickets are on sale online at
NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 am-5 pm. Get West Side reserved tickets for $38 each or sit on the East Side (general admission) for $33. Remember, parking in the NIU Convocation Center lots IS included in the price of the tickets!
This year, fans who choose to purchase tickets at the West Side Ticket Office on game day on a "walk-up" basis will be able to select their seating section only and will be assigned the best available seats within that section.
Once your tickets are purchased, and before leaving for the game, download them to your phone so that they can be easily pulled up and scanned at the gates.
Free Parking and Shuttle Bus Available
One of the great benefits for NIU fans is the free parking available in the NIU Convocation Center lots provided with your ticket purchase. NIU also offers a shuttle from the Convo lots to Huskie Stadium and back on game day. The shuttle picks up from posted locations at all Convo lots beginning three hours before kickoff and also runs for one hour after the game to return fans to their cars. The ADA shuttle will also begin running three hours before game time and will make a regular loop from Lot L (handicapped lot). The ADA shuttle can be called to other lots on an as needed basis.
Cashless! Concessions Offerings
Along with all your traditional favorites, check out some of the new offerings for concessions around Huskie Stadium. New vendors include Takis To Go (northeast side), Hy-Vee (at southwest entrance); Chicken Salad Chick (southeast side plus some product throughout the stadium); Sweet Butts Cotton Candy plus Tangled Roots and Pollyanna craft beer available at all grab 'n go locations.
Remember that ALL concessions stands are CASHLESS!
Listen In
Hear legendary announcer Bill Baker's call of every 2023 NIU Football game on 94-9 WDKB FM in DeKalb, SportsFan 1330 AM in Rockford and on the NIU Huskies and The Varsity Network app as Baker is behind the mic for his 44th and final season as the voice of the Huskies. Find a link to listen online on the football schedule page of NIUHuskies.com.
The NIU Huskies App Has It All
While NIU no longer prints game programs, find rosters, stats, links to buy tickets, listen to the game broadcast and more through the free NIU Huskies app! Download to your phone and have all the information at your fingertips!
Have other questions or need more information, go online to NIUHuskies.com, call 815-753-PACK (7225) for ticket information, or email
huskiestickets@niu.edu.
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