Hello Huskies!
“There is no such thing as standing still. If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward.”
I do not know that the statement has ever been more “spot on” than it is right now in describing the mindset that we have while leading NIU through what is undoubtedly one of the greatest periods of change in the history of college athletics.
We will embrace the significant change in the college athletics landscape, and we will overcome the challenges that stand in our way while never compromising standards. We have a track record of dealing with adversity and maximizing our return on investment. Our “secret sauce” are the students, staff, alumni, and supporters who work tirelessly to move our agenda.
Everyone at NIU – from President Freeman to the Board of Trustees to our coaches and staff – is committed to moving our programs and our athletic department forward, just as Northern Illinois University has throughout the 125-year history of Huskie Athletics.
We all know that change is not always easy, there is not always a clear path and frankly, the issues our industry is facing can be confusing to those who are not “in the weeds.” I want to assure you that we are in the weeds, these changes are top of mind on a daily basis, and we are preparing diligently to chart our future in the midst of this transformation.
When I say that new information is shared daily, that is not an exaggeration. Each new legal ruling or lawsuit or interpretation leads to more calls, meetings and models. Within the Mid-American Conference, we regularly discuss how revenue sharing, House settlement, roster limits and NCAA distribution will affect the MAC as a conference and our individual institutions. As second vice president of NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) and a member of the FBS Athletic Directors Association (formerly LEAD1), I am able to get a sense of the national outlook and how different conferences and institutions are approaching these issues.
While that process and these discussions are ongoing, and our modeling continues, I do want to provide insight on some of the topics that either have or will directly affect NIU Athletics, our student-athletes and staff, as well as our fans and supporters, in the coming months.
The “House Case” Settlement and Revenue Sharing
In May, the NCAA and “autonomous conferences” agreed to a $2.8 billion settlement to former college athletes (2016-2023) who could have received money for use of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), video games and broadcasts if it had been permitted. This is estimated to result in a reduction in the NCAA annual revenue distribution for each of the next 10 years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2025 to NIU and like institutions.
In addition, the settlement provides that going forward, athletic departments will be able to directly share revenue and compensate student-athletes through NIL. Each institution must decide to “opt in” or “opt out” of this type of agreement and that is something we, as well as our conference peers, are working through.
Roster Limits
This is a big one for coaches here at NIU and across the country. As part of the House settlement, every Division I NCAA sponsored sport will have a limit on the number of student-athletes on the roster. For example, in football, the roster limit has been set at 105. In the past, the only limit was on the number of scholarships that could be awarded per sport. Now, institutions can provide as many full scholarships as there are roster spots. While some of the roster limits are smaller, the scholarships for some sports, which previously split scholarships among players, will increase and with that, the cost of sponsoring those sports.
NIL and the Transfer Portal
Ever since “NIL” became a part of the conversation of college athletics, I have been a proponent of student-athletes having the opportunity to realize income from their Name, Image and Likeness. As I have stated, NIU is in the NIL business through our affiliation with the Boneyard VictorE Collective. Many current NIU student-athletes are benefitting from NIL through our collective. From my perspective, NIL and the collectives are not going away.
Similarly, the transfer portal and the ability of student-athletes to move from school-to-school is here to stay. We are seeing regular adjustments to the portal “windows” or time periods when student-athletes can place themselves into the portal and be (legally) recruited. My hope is that the portal can be a tool that both student-athletes and programs are able to use to their advantage. However, there are many examples of student-athletes not finding a landing place after they have entered the portal. It is extremely important as practitioners for us to help them navigate this complex process. I am on a number of committees and boards that realize that the main focus for student-athletes is to graduate/have access to higher education and use athletics as a tool of education.
Given all of these issues and the daily changes, we remain focused on the number one priority of NIU Athletics – to provide Huskie student-athletes with the opportunity to develop in the classroom, in competition and in life – while winning championships and earning their degrees. We are proud of our legacy of success, illustrated most recently by the 2023-24 Annual Report, which is now available to view online. In order to continue to achieve our championship goals, we know that increasing revenues is increasingly important to our future success going forward.
In fact, much of our internal discussion on the topics listed above revolves around generating the revenue needed to support our #MissionPossible. We will continue to manage our resources efficiently and effectively while providing the best possible student-athlete experience. This year, we have successfully launched the Victor E. Threads merchandise and apparel permanent and mobile storefronts. I’m pleased to report that beginning today (Thursday, November 21), Victor E. Threads is available online, just in time for holiday shopping. Shows like the December 6 Holiday Dreams, a spectacular family cirque show incorporating amazing feats, comedy and visual and technological “magic,” bring entertainment options and value to our community. Along with our multimedia partner, Van Wagner, Jersey Mike’s logos were added to the football field and we remain aggressive in exploring naming and other sponsorship opportunities.
In addition to these and similar efforts, now, more than ever, we need the support of everyone across Huskie Nation to ensure that results like the NIU Football team’s victory over Notre Dame this past September can continue to bring a sense of pride to Huskies everywhere. That support can take several forms, including:
Purchasing Season Tickets and Attending Events (currently taking deposits for 2025 NIU Football Season Tickets)
Donating to the Huskie Athletic Fund
Supporting the Boneyard Victor E Collective
Membership at the NIU Recreation Center (use promo code BOWL15 for 15 percent off any annual membership purchased in December)
These are just a few of the ways that anyone can make a difference and help NIU Athletics move forward today and in the future. For more information on any of these, to purchase season tickets or make a donation, call 815-753-PACK (7225) and a member of the staff will be happy to assist you.
As we enter this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for many things – upcoming great news for NIU Athletics, family, friends, colleagues and of course the Huskie Family. Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you Saturday, November 30 at Huskie Stadium as we thank our 30 seniors for all they have contributed to the NIU Football program.
Go Huskies!
Sean T. Frazier
Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation