Bob Brigham took over as NIU’s athletic director in 1968. He achieved his first major accomplishment in 1969 by getting the Huskie football program into NCAA Division I-A.

Brigham donned the cardinal and black for 50 years as a student-athlete, assistant coach, head coach, director of athletics and special assistant to the president before his retirement in June 2001.

Brigham also led the Huskies into the Mid-American Conference in 1973.

Under Brigham, NIU installed Astro Turf at Huskie Stadium in 1969 and received NCAA tournament bids in baseball, men’s basketball, men’s soccer and NCAA Championship berths in men’s golf and men’s gymnastics.

The NIU football team also made a major bowl in 1983. Prior to the 2003 home opener versus Maryland, the field at Huskie Stadium was officially named Brigham Field.