DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced on Friday, April 24, in a live web stream shown on NIU Athletics official YouTube channel. The announcement will be made at 2 p.m. and hosted by the Voice of the Huskies, Andy Garcia. 

Garcia will be joined by NIU Athletics Hall of Fame committee chairman Rodney Davis, along with NIU Vice President/Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean T. Frazier, as this year's class is unveiled for the first time live. 

The 2026 NIU Athletics Hall of Fame Class will be formally included on "Hall of Fame Weekend" – presented by EO5 Hotels – on Friday, Oct. 23, in the historic Duke Ellington Ballroom at the Holmes Student Center. The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. and is open to the public. 

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. Just 234 individuals, 20 teams and five families have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 36 induction classes. The Hall of Fame is located in the north lobby of the NIU Convocation Center and is open to the public during regular business hours and during Athletics events.