Through the help of the President’s Fee Study Committee, it appears there might be a chance NIU’s athletic facilities could finally see some much-needed renovation and improvement.

The committee voted Monday to increase student fees by $1.20 per semester. The added revenue will go toward repair and replacement of equipment and fixtures at both Chick Evans Field House and Huskie Stadium.

This development must please the athletic department administration as well as the coaches of the teams that use the facilities. After all, neither structure could be considered sports Meccas—each needs serious improvements.

The fee money would be used, in part, to replace the AstroTurf and to install new lights and a sound system at the stadium. In addition, some of the revenue would cover improvements at the field house.

Beyond the surface level, the proposed increase could serve to point NIU athletics in the right direction toward an improved image.

In some ways, each facility has aspects which indirectly limit the amount of success the teams playing there can have.

For example, the lighting at the stadium is inadequate for television coverage of night games. ESPN has avoided televising NIU’s home football games because the lighting at the stadium does not allow it.

Television coverage would help recruiting efforts by promoting the team’s reputation nationwide, by giving prospective players the opportunity to see a team they otherwise might not have considered.

With respect to the field house, additional seating would be beneficial. It’s no secret the men’s basketball team has played better at home than on the road in recent years.

Unfortunately, the seating at the field house is limited—a situation which led the university to schedule home games in Rockford in an attempt to improve ticket sales. If the seating capacity at the field house could be improved, the possible additional fan support would boost team morale, while additional ticket sales would bring in needed revenue.

It is never pleasing to have to shell out more money year after year, but the increased fee for the two sports facilities is worth it because it has the potential to produce favorable results.