Homecoming is one of the main events of the fall semester at NIU. However, students tend to struggle with showing Huskie pride, especially at events such as football games. Sure, our team is not great, but it’s important to go and support.
With Homecoming occurring Monday through Sunday, showing school spirit is essential. As students, we should be showing more Huskie pride, even aside from large events such as Homecoming.
Showing Huskie pride builds community and can strengthen bonds between students, alumni and even faculty members. At the end of the day, you all have something in common – being part of the Huskie family.
As students, attending events, especially during Homecoming, can also create lifelong memories. You’re only an undergraduate college student once, and it’s important to make the most of your time in college.
Attending events can even potentially encourage future students to attend NIU. If prospective students see or hear current students attending events and being proud to be a Huskie, then they may decide to attend NIU.
One thing NIU students can do to show more school spirit is attend football games. NIU’s attendance at football games over the years has drastically declined, especially when games were on school nights. From 2004 to 2023, NIU’s attendance at football games that were held on a weeknight declined by 65%.
However, most home NIU football games occur on Saturdays, which doesn’t interfere with classes. The most recent home football game that occurred on Saturday had 13,512 people attending. The issue with the lack of attendance could be that NIU is considered a “backpack” school, where most students go home on the weekends.
However, if there is any time where students should attend a football game, it’s during Homecoming. The Homecoming football games have traditionally been popular, with the 2024 Homecoming game against Toledo attracting 18,350 people.
If students don’t attend Homecoming events, it’s a missed opportunity. Homecoming is the time of year when school spirit should be the strongest.
Students can show Huskie pride in numerous ways, like by wearing NIU gear. If students don’t own NIU gear, there are numerous places both on and off-campus that sell Huskie gear such as the NIU Bookstore, Victor E. Threads, located inside the NIU Recreation Center, or Walmart, located at 2300 Sycamore Road.
It’s also important, especially during Homecoming, that students attend the Homecoming events. There are many events to choose from such as the Homecoming Block Party in downtown DeKalb or the Homecoming concert with Coi Leray.
School pride is something you should carry even post-graduation. Students should be proud to be a Huskie and should show that during Homecoming. Happy Homecoming week, Huskies!
