In a deal requiring four and a half months of tedious negotiations with Soldier Field’s management, the Huskies and the Iowa Hawkeyes will play the first Division I-A college football game at the home of the Chicago Bears since its renovation a few years ago on Sept. 1, 2007.

NIU Athletics Director Jim Phillips understands what the game can do for the school’s reputation.

“This game gives us tremendous exposure in Chicago. It is an opportunity for our fans, alumni, donors and students to come out and watch the Huskies in a world-class venue,” Phillips said.

After a great turnout at last year’s game against Northwestern, Phillips is confident the game at Soldier Field will draw a great crowd as well.

NIU coach Joe Novak echoed the enthusiasm of Phillips for the Labor Day weekend game.

“Playing in Soldier Field is a real thrill for our football program. To take our program and showcase it in the city of Chicago will be a great opportunity for us,” Novak said.

Along with the exposure the game will bring to NIU football, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the players.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Britt Davis is excited about the chance to play in a professional stadium, but also realizes what this game means to the program in the long run.

“I think that it’s a great idea to be able to play at Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears, but I think it’s even better that we got Iowa to sign to play us for a second consecutive year,” Davis said. “More importantly, having a game at a professional stadium will give us more well-needed publicity and also will help greatly with our recruiting.”

The game itself will count as a home game for NIU and tickets will go on sale in the spring of 2007, Phillips said. There will be general admission and student tickets available for purchase, and there will be buses available to take fans from DeKalb to Chicago.

With Iowa drawing about a third of its freshman class from the Chicagoland area, the game is also a big deal for the Big 10 school.

The Iowa game at Soldier Field will not be the first game NIU has played at the home of an NFL team. Since 1968, the Huskies have played at 10 NFL stadiums.