Hello Huskies!

On behalf of the student-athletes, coaches and staff of the Northern Illinois Athletic Department, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2008-2009 academic year. I am your new Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics, having arrived here in June from Seattle, Wash., and the University of Washington. Allow me to give you a little bit of information about your athletic program.

Northern Illinois operates a 17-sport program composed of approximately 467 student-athletes who represent our university and our community, competing in the Mid-American Conference and nationwide. We have 147 dedicated NIU employees working to not only provide our student-athletes with a first-class experience, but also to reach out to our fans like you to make your interaction with Huskie Athletics second to none.

College athletics is a wonderful, and integral, part of college life. Our events provide the opportunity for the entire university and community to come together to celebrate Northern Illinois. You, the students, are critical to creating a college atmosphere at our events.

Student involvement, from the band to the cheerleaders and Silverettes but most importantly, the fans, is what makes the feeling of a college game so special. We are different from the pros – these are your classmates and friends on the field and we are all a part of the same Huskie team.

Since I have been on board as the athletic director, I have been approached by the student leadership at NIU about finding more ways to bring the student body and our student-athletes in contact. We are currently making plans for a fall open house where students and student-athletes will meet and share ideas and experiences. We want to hear from you about other ideas which will make your experience at Northern Illinois University even better.

I also want you to know that if you would like to get involved with Huskie Athletics, there is plenty of opportunity to do so. From support groups like the band, cheerleaders and Silverettes, to our student equipment managers, athletic trainers, student interns and game-day workers, students are an integral part of our operation. Please visit our official athletics Web site at www.niuhuskies.com for more information.

It’s a great time to be a Huskie. We have a new football coach, Jerry Kill, who you are really going to enjoy getting to know. I know that Coach Kill is counting on our students to fill Huskie Stadium this fall and give Northern Illinois the home field advantage for which we are known. We also will be opening our new soccer/track and field complex in August and I hope you will visit that facility and help cheer those programs on to victory. I look forward to seeing you at the games!

GO HUSKIES!