Not only did Huskie athletics succeed on the field and court this season, they also succeeded in the classroom.

The NIU football and women’s outdoor track and field teams both earned a Public Recognition Award for their academic performance in the classroom.

These two programs achieved this award because their Academic Progress Rate scores put them in the top 10 percent of every program in their respective sports.

NIU was the only MAC-school to receive this award in football and women’s track and field.

This is the second year in a row the football team received this award as it was only one of 12 schools to receive this award.

Women’s track and field won this award for the first and was one of 25 teams to win it, but the only Division I school in Illinois to do so.

“This has been a fantastic year for Northern Illinois University Athletics,” said NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher in a press release. “In addition to our four MAC Championships this year, two teams have been honored for their academic achievements. It validates our mission statement of developing champions in the classroom, in competition and in life.”