With another series of donations in the past month, Athletic Director Jim Phillips’ dream of a new athletic facility in the north end zone of Huskie Stadium is almost a reality.

Since Phillips announced his plan last April, NIU has gathered all but $1 million of its $9.5 million goal.

“We are right there,” Phillips said. “As soon as we get that last bit, that week we will break ground.”

Along with new locker and equipment rooms, the facility boasts a 150-capacity video room, a new training room and new offices for the coaches.

“This facility is much needed,” Phillips said. “It will make the whole student-athlete experience that much better as well as helping all our programs become more competitive.”

The exterior of the facility will boast an outdoor terrace that provides a “birds-eye view” of the stadium as well as a new tunnel and bronze Huskie statue.

“We’ve all heard the term ‘front porch,’” Novak said. “Your athletic program and your facilities are the front porch of the university. Those facilities, that’s the first impression of your program, your institution.”