The Second Annual Victor E. Ball, NIU Athletics premier fundraising event, will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center. This special evening features special guests, outstanding entertainment, silent and live auctions, and a chance to hear the stories of NIU student-athletes whose successes in competition, in the classroom and in the community have lifted NIU Athletics to new heights. Funds raised will benefit NIU Athletics’ efforts to provide full cost of attendance scholarships to over 400 student-athletes in 17 sports programs.
PROGRAM
Join emcee Adam Grabowski, 2015 National Comic of the Year, and celebrity auctioneers Michael Turner and Jordan Lynch for a grand evening with NIU dignitaries, coaches, student-athletes, donors and friends of NIU Athletics.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a Cocktail Reception hosted by Acquaviva Winery and a Silent Auction.Â
Dinner and dessert, the program and a live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with dancing to music provided by DJ Ray.
NIU is pleased to announce that former Huskie head football coach Jerry Kill will return to NIU and serve as keynote speaker for the 2017 Victor E. Ball. Read the announcement here.Â
The 2017 Victor E. Ball will be held inside of the magnificent Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. During the day, the facility hosts practices for the four-time MAC champion NIU Football program and multiple other Huskie sports teams. On the evening of the Victor E. Ball, the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center will be transformed into an elegant venue worthy of NIU Athletics’ premier fundraising event. This transformation will make the second Victor E. Ball a truly unique experience as the first event of its kind to be held on NIU’s campus. Read more about the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center and see the Photo Gallery.
Â
In 2015, NIU Athletics committed to awarding scholarships that include cost-of-attendance. For student-athletes, cost-of-attendance covers expenses beyond room, board, tuition, and books. For NIU coaches and programs, cost-of-attendance allows the ability to recruit and retain premier student-athletes that will continue the storied history of NIU Athletics.
There are a variety of ways at multiple levels to support NIU student-athletes through the Victor E. Ball beginning at $450 all the way to the $40,000 Platinum level. Click here to see details on all the support opportunities or call the Huskie Athletic Fund Office at 815-753-1923.
Â
Register today to be a part of this special event which supports NIU student-athlete full cost of attendance scholarships.
Â
LODGING
Several local hotels have worked with NIU Athletics to provide special rates to Victor E. Ball guests on the night of the event.  Please mention "Victor E. Ball" when making reservations at these properties.
Holiday Inn Express Sycamore
Rate: $91 plus tax, includes complimentary hot breakfast
Reservations: Call 815-748-7400
Deadline: Book by April 14, 2017
Holmes Student Center, DeKalb
Rate: $71 plus tax
Reservations: Call 815-753-1444
Rooms available on first come, first served basis
Holiday Inn Express Rochelle
Rate: $109.99 plus tax, includes complimentary hot breakfast
Reservations: Call 815-562-9994
Rooms available on first come, first served basis
Â
AUCTIONS
The Victor E. Ball will once again feature both silent and live auctions with unique experiences and items provided by a wide range of contributors, including local vendors and NIU Athletics sports programs, signed memorabilia from Chicago favorites and beyond, and more.Â
The silent auction will take place online and begin at a date to be determined prior to the evening of April 29, enabling anyone to take part and bid on fantastic items while also supporting Huskie student-athletes. It will conclude on the evening of the event. Check back for the link to the silent auction site!
A very limited number of live auction, one-of-a-kind experiences will be auctioned off at the 2017 Victor E. Ball.
BID ON SILENT AUCTIONS NOW!
Â
 Look back at the inaugural Victor E. Ball, including the photos, student-athlete speeches and more.Â
Â
