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WATCH: NIU joins Mountain West Conference DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University says the Huskies have accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member starting in 2026, NIU and the Mountain West announced Tuesday (Jan. 7). ) was announced. . The announcement was made after a meeting of the NIU Board of Governors.
“This is a truly exciting day for Northern Illinois University, the NIU football program, and Huskies fans across the country,” said NIU President Lisa C. Freeman. “We are very pleased that a prestigious group of universities competing in the Mountain West Conference have accepted an invitation to join our Husky football program. This move opens up new opportunities for our student-athletes. , expanding our reach and strengthening our national brand.” Husky football represents NIU and competes for championships the hard way, and the right way. ”
NIU, which will enter its 125th season of intercollegiate athletics in 2024-25, is Illinois’ winningest Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program this century. The Huskies rank among the top 30 FBS programs in the country in wins over the past 15 seasons, with five conference championships, 11 winning seasons, and 11 bowl appearances, including NIU for the second consecutive year. That includes eight wins in 2024, capped by a victory over Fresno State in the famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
“NIU Athletics is expanding its horizons, adapting to this new national model for collegiate athletics, and preparing to begin a new chapter in the history of NIU football,” said NIU Vice President and Director Sean T. Frazier. What a great opportunity for the department.” Athletics and Recreation. “We would like to thank Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the members of the Mountain West Conference for accepting this invitation, and NIU President Lisa Freeman for their assistance in navigating this process. “The impact of this move to the Mountain West will be felt.” Across our department and across the university, our fans will experience increased competition, media coverage, and support for this conference and these great institutions. You will enjoy the additional opportunities that the relationship provides. ”
The 2026 MW football season will include the U.S. Air Force Academy, University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, Northern Illinois University, San Jose State University, University of Nevada, University of Las Vegas, University of Texas, University of El Paso, and University of Wyoming. .
“We are excited to add the Northern Illinois University football program to the Mountain West,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “In evaluating NIU, MW’s Board of Governors and Director of Athletics carefully considered and were impressed by its history of football success and commitment to academic excellence. We share the Mountain West’s vision of balancing academic performance and athleticism and prioritizing opportunities for growth.”Excellent experience as a student-athlete on and off the field. ”
Since moving to the “Major College” (now Football Bowl Subdivision) ranks in 1969, NIU has played 39 seasons (1975-85, 1997-2024) and the last 18 consecutive seasons. He spent time in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies were a member of football’s Big West Conference from 1993 to 1995, operated independently from 1986 to 1992, and became independent again in 1996.
“This is a great opportunity for NIU football,” said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, who will complete his sixth year as head coach of his alma mater in 2024. “Thank you to the Mountain West, Sean (Frazier), President Freeman and everyone at the university. “I want to thank the board for making this commitment to our program, this move and the interest in NIU football. , I think it’s a testament to what we’ve done and what we can continue to do. As a head coach and as an alumnus, relocating to the Mountain West gives me great confidence that NIU football can compete at the highest level for conference and national championships, especially with all the changes happening in college football right now. I think it’s important. , configure NIU to do it. ”
To ensure the NIU football program has the resources and facilities necessary to compete in the Mountain West Championship starting in 2026, NIU is demonstrating its unwavering support for its fans, friends, and supporters and is taking action to join them. He launched a campaign called “Huskies Ascend.” We will take this historic step and help take NIU football to new heights. Click here to make your gift now.
To learn more about the Huskies relocating to the Mountain West for football starting in 2026, read the Q&A below and watch Frazier’s interview on the official NIU Athletics YouTube channel.
From NIU Football to the Mountain West – Questions and Answers
When will NIU football begin play in the Mountain West Conference?
NIU will officially join the Mountain West as a football-only member on July 1, 2026 and begin competition for the 2026 football season.
Which team will NIU face in the Mountain West?
In 2026, the nine football teams in the Mountain West will be Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, NIU, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.
Why is NIU football leaving the MAC for the Mountain West starting in 2026, and why now?
Over the past few years, major changes have occurred in the world of college athletics. The NCAA House lawsuit settlement alone would result in revenue sharing with student-athletes and an increase in roster numbers (scholarships). The addition of the transfer portal and the ability for student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and identity (NIL) has changed everything from player recruitment to development methods to what schools can offer. In FBS football, the expansion of the College Football Playoff starting this year will continue to impact how teams and athletic departments operate.
To remain relevant and competitive in the current environment, we must consider and determine how to maximize every revenue stream to ensure sustainability and a level of excellence for all Huskie programs. It has become essential. Administrators were challenged to think outside the box and identify how NIU could help student-athletes continue to excel academically and athletically. A move to the Mountain West provides a variety of opportunities and benefits for our program and athletes.
Along the way, once there was interest in Husky football from the Mountain West, we were very happy with the resources involved. We’re excited to bring even more resources to all of our programs. When talking about sustainability in this new university athletic environment, financial considerations and how it would benefit NIU were key factors.
What makes NIU and NIU football attractive to the Mountain West at this point?
Husky football is a proven product with a national brand built on conference championships and “boneyard wins” against well-resourced (i.e., “power conference”) teams. NIU football’s record of success this century is with a team that has won 19 seasons, more wins than any other Division I program in the state, and ranks in the top 30 of FBS programs in the country in wins over the past 15 seasons. It tells you something.
Why does the model of having football compete in the Mountain West make sense when NIU’s other programs compete in a different league?
This has been done in the past by military academies, particularly the Army West Point and the Navy, and we have seen the benefits it brings. Football has more flexibility playing in a league like the Mountain West because there are a limited number of conference games, fewer road games, and less time spent on the road. The rest of NIU’s teams could play a more regional schedule, develop/maintain strong regional rivalries, and travel in ways that make sense for those teams, as well as It also allows fans to easily travel to cheer on the road.
Where will NIU sports other than soccer compete in 2026?
NIU is committed to making decisions that are in the best interest of all student-athletes and the program going forward. We will be with MAC for the next 18 months and will actively consider all options over time. Several regionally-based multi-sport conferences have multiple options available, including ongoing discussions with the MAC. We want to be thorough. We want to provide the right fit for NIU and Huskies student-athletes. At the same time, ensuring all sports are played now that the move to the Mountain West is complete is a top priority. We believe this “national” model works well and is a great fit for NIU.
NIU left MAC once before and came back, but what is the reason for leaving this time and how is it different?
NIU has a proud and long-standing relationship with the Mid-American Conference dating back to 1975 and has spent the past 18 consecutive years competing in the MAC after leaving the league for 12 years in the mid-’80s. When NIU left the MAC in 1985, the reality was much different, as the changes that had taken place in college athletics over the previous three years (House Settlement, Transfer Portal, NIL, CFP expansion) had completely changed the landscape. . How these changes will impact NIU, the MAC, and all student-athletes was a major factor in making this move.
Why is NIU Athletics launching Huskies Ascend at this time?
NIU Athletics is entering a new era in our history as the landscape of collegiate athletics changes dramatically. As we prepare for this transition, increasing support for NIU Football from donors, alumni, football alumni, and the local community will help maintain NIU Football’s championship tradition and position us for future success in the Mountain West. important for setting up the program. Huskies Ascend will address specific areas such as locker rooms, facilities and equipment, the 1899 Club, and will include exploring additional revenue sources to ensure the sustainability of NIU football, with more details to come in the coming weeks. It is scheduled to be announced. We hope every Husky chooses to be a part of Huskies Ascend from the moment they reach the top of the mountain.
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