Hello Huskies!

I’m back! Sorry for the delay in getting this first Frazier’s Corner of 2025 pulled together. It has already been a busy, eventful, exciting and even historic start to the year!

On January 7, NIU officially accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference as a football only member beginning in the 2026 season. The announcement was the culmination of an effort, and a movement that began more than two years ago when the conference realignment dominoes started to fall with the Big Ten’s addition of USC and UCLA.

That move, rule changes that completely opened the transfer portal and allowed student-athletes to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), the expansion of the College Football Playoff and the impending settlement of the NCAA House Case, made us take a good hard look at how NIU Athletics will continue to sustain our level of excellence both athletically and academically from a revenue and expense standpoint.

During our evaluation, one model I looked at was the service academies, specifically Army West Point and Navy. After operating successfully as FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football independents while the rest of their athletic teams competed in established regional Division I leagues, both are now football only members of the American Athletic Conference while basketball and other Olympic sports compete in the Patriot League. Not only does this work from a scheduling standpoint, they are also able to realize significant revenue from the AAC that was not available as an independent.

As I watched conferences scramble to expand from coast-to-coast, sending athletes in all sports to compete across multiple time zones, I saw this “national model” as a path that allows NIU to see an increase in revenue as a football only member of the Mountain West, while also maintaining a strong regional base, managing expenses and supporting the student-athlete experience across all other sport programs.

I have heard the questions. NIU did this before and came back to the MAC, why now? Or what about the travel costs? And importantly, what will happen to NIU’s other sport programs? Be assured that the decision to make this move has been thoroughly vetted and the balance sheets broken down. We are in the process of finalizing conference homes for all Huskie sports programs for 2026-27 and I look forward to being able to make that official soon.

I encourage you to read the Q&A that was part of the press release on the day of the Mountain West announcement and to watch this video Q&A. Also stay tuned and subscribe to the NIU Athletics Official YouTube Channel for similar video Q&As as we continue through this process.

As mentioned in the video, the increase in revenue and the regional emphasis to support our Olympic sports as a result of joining the Mountain West is just one element needed to position NIU Athletics for success moving forward. You may have already seen references to Huskies Ascend: The Moment, The Movement, The Mountaintop and you will be hearing more about this comprehensive and much-needed revenue generation effort throughout the next year.

While memories of the 2024 NIU Football season, highlighted by the historic win over CFP national championship game participant Notre Dame and the season-ending double overtime victory on the blue turf over Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, remain fresh, planning is well underway for the 2025 season. We are already accepting season ticket deposits for reserved ($75) and premium ($15) seats for next year. The 2025 Huskie Athletic Fund Donor Guide is in production now and scheduled for delivery in February, while 2025 football season tickets go on sale on Friday, February 14.

As we embark on this new era of NIU Athletics, season tickets, donations and attendance at games all play an important role in allowing us to provide Huskie student-athletes with everything they need to succeed.

Want to see evidence of that success?  Join us on Wednesday, February 5 for a celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day prior to the NIU women’s basketball game. At 5 p.m., a panel discussion featuring former Huskie standouts who have gone on to excel in their chosen careers will take place in the South Lobby of the Convo, while the next generation of Huskies take part in a Kids Clinic in Victor E. Court.

Both Huskie Basketball teams are in action at home from now through March 5th, beginning this Saturday (January 25) with a doubleheader versus Ball State starting at 1 p.m. Gymnastics opens its home schedule this Friday night versus Illinois State, while the popular Beauty and the Beast combination gymnastics/wrestling meet is set for Friday, February 7.

Fans can also head indoors to the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House to catch the NIU men’s and women’s tennis teams at home starting this weekend. The Huskie Calendar as well as the NIU Huskies app has all the dates and times.

Another great place to escape the winter is the NIU Recreation Center which has memberships for students, employees, alumni and community members. In addition to a full complement of workout machines, there are courts, a jogging/walking track, fitness studios, group exercise classes and more. Don’t forget to stop by the Victor E. Threads location in the Rec to pick up some new NIU gear.

It is an exciting time to be a Huskie, and I look forward to sharing more information on the move to the Mountain West and other developments across college athletics affecting NIU as we continue to navigate this changing landscape.

Go Huskies!

Sean T. Frazier

Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation