Most importantly, all funds raised through Victor E. Ball benefits Huskie Athletics' ongoing commitment to providing cost of attendance scholarships to NIU's 400 student-athletes.
Through the silent auction, and/or by sponsoring student-athlete tickets to the Victor E. Ball, anyone can support this important effort, even if you are not able to attend what is sure to be a very special evening, in person.
PROGRAM
Chicago radio and television personality, and author, Dave Kaplan returns to host the 2019 edition of the Victor E. Ball. Kaplan, a former member of the Huskie men's basketball staff, served as host for the inaugural Victor E. Ball in November of 2015 and takes on that role again this year.
A Cocktail Reception, hosted by Acquaviva Winery, kicks off the evening at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium area of the Conference Center, where guests can mingle with NIU student-athletes and coaches, university dignitaries and the VIP guests while perusing – and getting those final bids in – on the silent auction items.
Guests will head into the ballroom beginning at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and the program. During the evening, they will hear inspiring stories from several of NIU's current student-athletes, enjoy a video presentation, participate in the live auction and hear from guest speakers Katrina Adams and Fergie Jenkins, as well as new NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock. Adams, an accomplished professional tennis player who went on to serve as the first African-American and youngest president of the United States Tennis Association, was named one of the "Most Powerful Women in Sports" by AdWeek and Forbes. Jenkins pitched in the Major Leagues for 19 years, including 10 season with the Chicago Cubs, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 with 284 career wins and a career ERA of 3.34.
Dinner and dessert, provided by My Chef Catering of Naperville, recently rated as one of the top caterers in Illinois, will follow the program and live auction. The evening will conclude with an entertaining and interactive performance by Windy City Dueling Pianos, a show in-and-of-itself. This show combines high-energy, live music from a multitude of genres played by two highly-skilled performers who promise to get the audience dancing, clapping and singing along to all of their favorite requests.
VENUE
The 2019 Victor E. Ball returns to the NIU Naperville Conference Center, located at 1120 E. Diehl Road in Naperville, Illinois, a multi-use facility that routinely hosts major events from weddings to meetings, conferences and more.
Parking is convenient and plentiful, and the indoor spaces – from the naturally-lit atrium, where the cocktail reception and silent auction will be set, to the elegant ballroom with floor to ceiling windows – provide a perfect backdrop to the event.
The NIU Naperville Conference Center is easily accessible from Interstates 88 and 355, is less than five miles from the Naperville Metra Train Station and is located approximately midway between DeKalb and the heart of Chicago, making it an ideal location for the Fourth Annual Victor E. Ball.
Get Directions
REGISTER TO SUPPORT
Registration for the Fourth Annual Victor E. Ball is now open. Purchase tickets online now as seating at the Naperville Conference Center is limited.
CLICK HERE to register for individual tickets, to purchase a table and/or to provide a ticket for one or more current NIU student-athletes to attend the 2019 Victor E. Ball.
Individual tickets to the Victor E. Ball are $400 each, while the cost to provide a ticket for one student-athlete to attend the evening is $350, which is approximately equal to the amount to support Cost of Attendance funding for one NIU student-athlete for one month.
Tables are $3,500 each and feature seating for eight guests, plus one current NIU student-athlete and one NIU dignitary or head coach. There are four VIP tables, priced at $7,500, which include the opportunity to sit with emcee Dave Kaplan, USTA immediate past president Katrina Adams, Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins or new NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock. The VIP tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the registration link.
AUCTIONS
The Victor E. Ball will 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 more. Anyone, whether you attend the evening or not, can participate in the online silent auction and bid on fantastic items while also supporting Huskie student-athletes.
The silent auction opens at 8 a.m. on April 12, two weeks prior to the Victor E. Ball. CLICK HERE to see the items available, and to place your bids! Check the site often to preview just a few of the items, then come back throughout the two-week time period as new items are added. The silent auction will conclude at 8 p.m. on April 27, the evening of the Victor E. Ball.
A limited number of live auction, one-of-a-kind experiences, will be auctioned off at the 2019 Victor E. Ball. Bidders must be present to participate. Get a preview of these great items,including trips with the Huskie football team, on the Victor E. Ball auction site (click link in paragraph above).
COST OF ATTENDANCE
In 2015, NIU Athletics committed to awarding scholarships that include cost of attendance. Through cost of attendance, our student-athletes have additional resources (stipends) above and beyond room, board, books and tuition. These resources aid them in their adjustment to being a college student while having time demands that make it difficult for them to have a job to supplement their reasonable living expenses.
For NIU coaches and programs, cost of attendance allows the ability to recruit and retain premier student-athletes who will continue the storied tradition of NIU Athletics.
Note that all proceeds from the Victor E. Ball support cost of attendance scholarships.
LODGING
NIU has worked with the Hampton Inn in Naperville to provide a special rate to Victor E. Ball guests on the night of the event. Please mention “Victor E. Ball” when making reservations to receive the discount.
Hampton Inn (1087 Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois)
Rate: $94 plus tax (reserve by March 30)
Reservations: Call 630-505-1400 or CLICK HERE
Deadline: Reserve by March 30 to receive the discounted rate
A LOOK BACK
The Victor E. Ball is an annual event not to be missed! Want to know more? Take a look back at the recaps, photos and videos from the first three editions of what is quickly becoming a premiere experience on the NIU Athletics annual calendar.
December 2015 Victor E. Ball
April 2017 Victor E. Ball
April 2018 Victor E. Ball
