NIU students who can’t make the trip to Alabama this weekend can breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The Convocation Center will broadcast the Huskies’ football game against the Crimson Tide via satellite, giving students and fans a chance to watch the game and cheer on the Huskies.

The game will be shown on the arena’s eight-sided, 15,000-pound center-hung scoreboard, which displays four 7-foot-by-8-foot video screens.

Admission will be free, and the arena will serve its full line of concessions.

Kevin Selover, director of marketing for the arena, said the decision to broadcast the game was made because of distance between the two schools.

“This game has a lot of excitement surrounding it,” Selover said. “Unfortunately, most Huskie fans can’t make the trip to Alabama, so the Convo Center decided to bring the game to them.”

Parking for the event will be free. Lots will open at 4:30 p.m., but arena doors will not open until 5:30 p.m. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Because the arena will be set up for the stage production of “Fame” on Sunday, Selover said there will be seating for about 2,000 fans.

Staff reporter Rachel Helfrich contributed to this report.