Seeking input and strong Mid-American Conference relations, Joe Matty is inviting three colleges to look at NIU’s athletic facilities.

“We’re looking for new ideas,” the Student Association’s Campus Recreational Council director said. “If one school has a better way of doing things, we can change ours.”

Representatives from Central Michigan University will visit Saturday, followed by Ball State University on Feb. 17 and Toledo University on Feb. 20.

In addition to visitors coming here, Matty and four members of the CRC will visit Ohio’s Kent State University on Feb. 8 and Western Michigan University on March 12 and 13.

“The Kent State trip is still up in the air because their CRC still has to get it approved,” Matty said. “And while the SA CRC is on top of things, we just need confirmation from the SA president before heading to Western Michigan.”

The CRC is a select board of 15 people, including handicapped students, athletes and minority representation.

“With different viewpoints, the board makes up the governing body of the Office of Campus Recreation,” Matty said. “They are the students’ voice.”

Associate athletic director Robert Collins said the CRC’s efforts are a progressive project.

“We’re always trying to keep our facilities up-to-date, to be positive for our student-athletes, coaches and student body to enjoy,” Collins said.

The main goal is to better all athletics, Matty said.

Colleges invited to NIU will look at the Chick Evans Field House, hear about the arena being constructed west of campus and have lunch at the fieldhouse.

“We’d like to see how we fare compared to other universities in our conference,” Matty said. “One of our goals is to show off what we have, to give other schools ideas.”

Another goal is to see how other schools keep up relations between students and athletics, Matty said.

“Specifically, we’d like to look at other colleges’ technical procedures,” he said.