The “Migrate to Minnesota” brochure, which collected dust on shelves everywhere for weeks, is now a pamphlet hot in pursuit.

But interested fans are finding out the pursuit is an endless one.

The bus trip for the Sept. 24 NIU vs. Minnesota football game, sponsored by Royal Travel and Tours, has been cancelled since the beginning of September—before the season ever kicked off.

However, Larry Berke, president of Royal Travel, said he wasn’t receiving enough response to continue with the trip.

“I’m in the travel business, and you don’t run a charter with a handful of people,” Berke said. “We took a pretty good beating on it as it is.

“The price ($199) could have been a factor for the low response, but I think the number of people who wanted to go to Minnesota could drive because it’s an easy trip.”

The flat fee for the package included round trip bus tickets, two nights of lodging at the Holiday Inn Metrodome, tickets to the game, a tail-gating party, a welcome reception on Friday and a Lunch In Sunday.

The original intent of the Minnesota road trip was to promote enthusiasm and “involvement within the university,” said NIU athletic director Gerald O’Dell.

“The whole purpose of (Migrate to Minnesota) was to create awareness for the away games,” O’Dell said. “(The bus) was just a vehicle to get people involved.”

Since the Huskies rose to a 3-0 record after their 19-17 upset over Wisconsin Saturday, the enthusiasm to go to Minnesota has increased.

Mary Mihelich, NIU director of promotions and marketing, said fans have been calling the athletic department requesting information about the nullified trip.

Along with the cancellation of the trip was the discontinuation of all the activities. However, Mihelich said there will be a welcome and pre-game reception in place of the former activities, open to all guests.

Starting at 10:30 p.m. Friday, a welcome reception will be held in the Aragon Room of the Holiday Inn Metrodome (1500 Washington Ave. South). Guests include NIU President John LaTourette, coach Jerry Pettibone, O’Dell and various NIU alumni.

The pre-game reception will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, and again will be held in the Aragon Room. There will be a five dollar cover charge which will include food and appetizers.

Despite the cancelled trip, Mihelich said she still expects about 400 to 500 fans to attend the game, be it by car or plane.

O’Dell said he was not discouraged by the cancellation of the bus trip. In fact, he thinks it’s a good idea to keep planning one every year and develop “consistency.”

“Something like (Migrate to Minnesota) needs to be promoted far in advance,” O’Dell said. “However, it provided the opportunity for people to identify with the ‘migration’ part of it.

“We need to be consistent, and continue to try and plan something like this each year, and people will start getting involved.