Northern Illinois student-athletes take an active role in the DeKalbSycamore community. In 2011-12, Huskies from all sports worked with citizens of all ages on 25 different projects including speaking to school children, working at community fairs and fun fests, visiting local nursing homes and participating in national initiatives. Huskie studentathletes completed almost 3,000 hours of community service led by the football team’s 606 hours, followed closely by the NIU softball team with 433 hours. While many Huskies work with their teams in the community, others continue community service projects they started in their hometowns. The NIU CHAMPS/Life Skills program coordinates many events, while individual teams also collectively adopt causes. On an annual basis, NIU Athletics is involved with promoting breast cancer awareness. The Huskie volleyball team joined forces with Kishwaukee Community Hospital and Colleges Against Cancer for their Spike Cancer weekend. The NIU football team also paired up with
Members of the NIU football team visited a local hospital to bring some cheer to the patients, many of them children, during their trip to Mobile, Ala. for the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl.
Colleges Against Cancer to don pink wristbands and gloves in its game with Kent State during Breast Cancer Awareness month, while the NIU women’s basketball team participates in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association breast cancer awareness campaign. Northern Illinois Athletics has also supported the efforts of the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy Association and local food banks through NIU Athletics events.
Several teams hosted children’s clinics on campus over the summer. Above, the volleyball team prepares the kids for a fun day of activities with a good stretch session. Outside on the soccer field, members of the women’s soccer team (right) provided top flight instruction on the fundamentals of soccer at the Northern Illinois Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
The community service efforts of NIU Athletics have an impact on the student body as well as the community. Last season, the NIU football team paired up with Colleges Against Cancer. In honor of breast cancer awareness month, fans received pink Huskie buffs (above) and wore them proudly during the game.