DeKALB | Victor E. Huskies is getting a bigger allowance.

NIU Athletics Director Jim Phillips announced Wednesday the university will be increasing its athletics budget mid-year for the first time since 1992.

Described by Phillips as a “slight” increase, the funds will be spread proportionately across NIU’s 17 sport programs based on the number of student athletes involved in each program. The funding increase was made possible through donations to the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund.

Phillips cited increased expenses as one of the key reasons for the increase.

“The landscape of college athletics clearly shows that expenses such as scholarships, team travel and recruiting continue to rise at a rate that is extremely challenging,” Phillips said. “Therefore, increasing operational budgets to meet, as well as surpass, these expenses are a priority for our entire department.”

Phillips credited donors and the athletic department staff for the budget increase.

“Thanks to the generous contributions of our dedicated donors with their support of the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund,” Phillips said. “we are able to make these budget increases to our sport programs for the first time in 15 years.”