DEKALB, Ill. -- Northern Illinois University Athletics is currently seeking nominations for the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame 2026 induction class. Nominations are open now until January 31, 2026, and may be made using the online nomination form. 

Candidacy for the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is open to outstanding Huskie student-athlete alumni and teams who are no less than 10 years removed from the completion of their intercollegiate athletics eligibility. For the Class of 2026, former student-athletes' graduating class must been 2015-16 or earlier.

Former NIU coaches, administrators and support staff who have retired or have departed the university at least five years prior to the previous Hall of Fame induction class are also eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame. 

Candidates for consideration for induction into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame must have provided and/or exhibited outstanding contributions to intercollegiate athletics at Northern Illinois University.  Nominations are open to all individuals who wish to support the candidacy of a standout Huskie student-athlete alumnus, team, coach, administrator or donor to be considered by the Hall of Fame committee.

The NIU Athletics Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 will be announced in the spring, with the induction ceremony to be held on "Hall of Fame Weekend" in the fall on a date to be determined. 

Established in 1978, the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame honors exceptional achievement related to NIU intercollegiate athletics by student-athletes, coaches, administrators/staff, teams, donors/contributors/family and alumni who have attained significant success in their sports-related, post-NIU careers. Just 241 individuals, 20 teams and five families have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 37 induction classes.