Northern Illinois University Athletics

Our Mission:

NIU’s Athlete Ally is a campus chapter of Athlete Ally, a national nonprofit organization that educates athletic communities to understand obstacles to inclusion for LGBTQI+ people in sports and how to build inclusive communities on their teams or within their organizations.

NIU’s chapter is dedicated to fostering a safe space by creating visibility to help athletes be seen and respected, helping educate the community about why equality matters, and why empowerment is important to allow athletes to be their true selves.

NIU empowers anyone: athletes, coaches, families, fans, and the entire Huskie Community to be an athlete ally.
 
Athlete Ally Leadership Team

• Katie Bennett (She/Her/Hers) – Women’s Soccer
• Cara Cruthers (She/Her/Hers) –  Softball
• Madison Mathews (She/Her/Hers) – Softball

Group Advisors

• Randi Napientek (She/Her/Hers) – Senior Associate AD for SAASS
• Dan Wolfe (He/Him/His) - Assistant Athletic Director - Football Operations

 
2024-2025 Meeting Schedule

• Fall Meetings:
  • August 30^th at 10am on Zoom
  • November: TBD at the Yordon
• Spring Meeting Schedule
  • TBD

Resources

• Athlete Ally
• Gender and Sexuality Resource Center | Northern Illinois University
• Gender Inclusive Bathrooms in Athletic Facilities:
  • Yordon Center
    • Training Room (175K and 175J – both single user bathrooms)
  • Convocation Center
    • 260B, 272C, 281A, 290A (all single user bathrooms)
  • Huskie Stadium
    • 153 (single user bathroom)

• Gender Inclusive Bathrooms on Campus
  • Listed on NIU's interactive campus map using the Campus & Student Services filter, then selecting Gender Inclusive Bathrooms

Contact Us:

• Email: 
• Instagram:  @niuathleteally