NIU sports could be following in the footsteps of the football team, but in a different direction.

The football team has plans to go ‘big’ time after entering the Big West, and believes it will help the future of NIU football.

Yesterday, representatives from the Missouri Valley Conference came to look over NIU and its facilities, and maybe decide if NIU has what it takes to join their conference.

Athletic Director Gerald O’Dell did not have time to comment on exactly what took place with the MVC representatives.

This year the MVC consists of Bradley, Illinois State, Wichita State, Indiana State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Tulsa, Southern Illinois, Creighton, and West Texas State.

Sources say that Xavier and Evansville are also being considered to join the MVC. If that is the case, the MVC would be very strong in men’s basketball.

A move to this conference could help basketball, baseball and soccer build stronger programs. The women’s basketball team would not have to schedule so many top-ranked teams in order to be considered for the NCAA Tournament. Also, the MVC carries with it an automatic invitation to the tournament for the soccer team.

The Missouri Valley is also a strong baseball conference with teams like Wichita State and Illinois State.