Overview
Celebrating Huskie Athletics and NIU student-athletes, the 2015 Victor E. Ball is the first event of its kind ever presented by NIU Athletics. Join fellow Huskies at an exclusive location on the grounds of beautiful Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove for an evening of entertainment, inspiration and celebration. Northern Illinois University Athletics is positioned for greatness thanks to the more than 400 student-athletes whose successes in competition, in the classroom and in the community lift the Huskies' 17 sports programs to new heights. Proceeds from the event will support and enrich the NIU student-athlete experience. Meet some of those student-athletes and hear their stories first-hand, while also mingling with NIU head coaches, distinguished alumni and administrators in what promises to be a special evening.
Check back to this page as more information will be added as it becomes available.
Schedule of Events
| 5:30 p.m. | Cocktail Hour, featuring harpists and NIU alumnae Kate Cockle and Jaina Krueger |
| Â | Silent Auction Tables Open |
| 7:00 p.m. | Welcome |
| 7:05 p.m. | Dinner |
| 8:00 p.m. | Program Begins |
| Â | Featured Speaker: Legendary basketball coach Tom Izzo |
| Â | Inspiring stories from NIU student-athletes |
| Â | Live Auction and more! |
Special Guests
Featured Speaker - Tom Izzo
One of the most accomplished college coaches in the nation in any sport, Tom Izzo, head coach of the Michigan State University Spartans and an eight-time national coach of the year, is the featured guest speaker for the 2015 Victor E. Ball. In 19 seasons as head coach, Izzo has led Michigan State to the 2000 NCAA National Championship, six Final Four appearances, seven regular-season Big Ten Championships, four Big Ten Tournament titles and a Big Ten-best 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. As impressive as his career record of 468-187, the 13 NBA draft picks and seven All-Americans he has coached is the graduation record of his players. In his 19 years directing the Spartan program, 83 percent of his players who completed their eligibility also left with a degree. In the last 15 years, 44 Spartans have received their undergraduate degrees. It's easy to see that Izzo knows how to win, but he also knows how to win the right way.
Emcee - David Kaplan
Veteran Chicago radio and television personality David Kaplan will serve as emcee for the inaugural Victor E. Ball. Kaplan, who was an assistant coach for NIU basketball coaching legend John McDougal from 1982-86, has been a member of the Chicago sports media since leaving behind his basketball coaching and NBA scouting days. He joined Comcast SportsNet in 2008 as the primary host of "SportsTalk Live" and also currently serves as co-host of the "Kap and Haugh" radio show on CSN+. He has earned six Achievement in Radio Awards and was named Newsfinder of the Year by The Associated Press. Prior to CSN, Kap also worked as a college football and basketball play-by-play commentator for ESPN and was the voice of Chicago's professional lacrosse teams. "Kap" attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and played football and baseball.
