After more than 30 years of reflective observation, I am confused about what philosophical base might be guiding decisions regarding Intercollegiate Athletics at NIU.

The IIAC seemed to be a balanced conference and included Eastern Illinois and Michigan. But then NIU perceived itself to be too strong for the other conference schools and withdrew.

Encountering scheduling difficulties as an Independent, it was forced to pay exhorbitant guarantees to little known far away teams to get a home schedule. Heavy expenses led to budget deficits which led to increased student fees and to rumors of dropping some “non-revenue-producing” sports. The fact that the so-called “revenue-producing” sports were also the biggest deficit-producing sports was never addressed.

To solve the problems of independence, NIU joined the Athletic Conference of Midwest Universities; but the association was short lived.

Then came the Mid-America Conference which afforded opportunities for national exposure and provided one appearance in the NCAA basketball tournament and one bowl appearance in football. Gymnastics also was gaining national and international prominence but could not dispel the rumor that it might be dropped from the program.

But in spite of the benefits that it afforded, the MAC did not meet the perceived needs of NIU; and when the conference reduced the number of allowable football scholarships, NIU withdrew and again became an independent. The “non-revenue-producing” sports of track and baseball had been dropped and there were recurring rumors of more to follow.

Again, scheduling led to far away places, budget deficits, and increased student fees. And again we are joining Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois in still another conference and rumors are rife that the “non-revenue-producing” sport of gymnastics is to be replaced by baseball.

By baseball? No wonder I’m confused.

Francis Stroup

Professor Emeritus