In years past the NIU Foundation has seen bowl games as a way to improve their relationship with donors, said Mallory Simpson, president of the NIU Foundation.

The foundation, however, had very little involvement with the Independence Bowl compared to its involvement with the Silicon Valley and Poinsettia Bowl.

“We did almost nothing,” Simpson said. “The extent of our involvement was letting our donors know that the team was going and where to get packages.”

About Carter’s mother

NIU paid Chase Carter’s mom, Sylvia Carter $297 for airfare back from the Independence Bowl. NIU athletic director Jeff Compher explained that this must have been a reimbursement to Sylvia for the cost a plane ticket for Chase to return back to his home in Kansas, than the return to DeKalb with the team after the bowl game.

Krupica’s travel voucher

Glen Krupica has a travel voucher for $12,840 with the type of expenditure listed as “Player Incidental per diem.” Krupica explained this as extra spending cash given to every player for the days they are down at the bowl game.

Each player is allowed $20 a day to buy things that they might need while at the bowl, such as extra food, toiletries and other items.

“That gives them money so if they need to buy a tube of toothpaste they can,” Compher said.

The athletic director did say players had to sign a contract every day they received the money that it would be used appropriately.