At the first men’s exhibition basketball game tonight, a new group will try to start a tradition of support for NIU athletic teams.

The Huskie Spirit Council is made up of students interested in changing the perception that there is “no school spirit” at NIU, said Laura Fischer, one of the coordinators for the group.

“This is a group to do something about it,” Fischer said. At their meetings, members of the council brainstorm to get ideas that the NIU Athletic Department can use, she said.

The council, which first met in September to work on the football games, meets about two Wednesdays a month, Fischer said. Lincoln, Neptune, and Stevenson North residence halls have joined in, although it is largely made up of greek organizations, she said.

For the basketball season, the spirit council is taking the “Adopt-A-Huskie” program under its wing. In its second year, the program asks NIU organizations to sponsor one of the women’s or men’s basketball players.

“Every player is adopted now, but because we don’t want to turn any organizations away, more than one organization can adopt each player,” said Laurie Guse, also a coordinator of the spirit council. Organizations decorate their players’ lockers and attend the games to support them, Guse said.

“If you know someone on the team you are more likely to go to the game,” she said.

Also being promoted by the spirit council is the Amoco Oil Spirit Award. At the final men’s basketball game, Amoco will present a traveling trophy to the organization that has accumulated the most spirit points, Fischer said.

Some spirit points were awarded at football games and one will be awarded at each home basketball game. Those organizations that didn’t take part in the fall can get still get involved, she said.

DeKalb businesses such as TCBY, Pick ‘n’ Save and VCB will be participating in promotions during half time shows of the games this year.

The Huskie Spirit Council will meet Wednesday night at 9 p.m. at the Chick Evans Fieldhouse.