http://www.huskiewire.com/articles/2015/.../index.xml

Carey might not be able to talk to players but hopefully, the players were paraded by the trophy case with all the MAC championships of late. Being in the locker room might impress potential recruits not only this year but future years.

My daughter's high school played in the 1A game so we went to the game. It was a lot of fun even though they lost. It was very well organized and I am sure the students were impressed :)

NIU having the Illinois State Championship Games over the U.I. is a major strategic victory.
It may result in future recruits and even more likely a higher NIU FB TV rating in Illinois,

(12-01-2015 11:54 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU having the Illinois State Championship Games over the U.I. is a major strategic victory.
It may result in future recruits and even more likely a higher NIU FB TV rating in Illinois,

They alternate every year. Next year it will be in Champaign and back in DeKalb in 2017.

But I agree, it is great for recruiting.

A movement/letter/petition by Chicago-area prep coaches was the prime mover in getting NIU the bid over ISU and SIU. When the contract is up for renewal, this has to happen again. ISU no doubt will push for it again. SIU has no chance; too far away from heavily-populated. We do have an indoor practice facility, which only U of I has. (Northwestern is building one.) The IPF is our ace in the hole.

Any idea on how much NIU/Destination DeKalb brought in money wise? I know hosting the games costs something like $450k.

(12-02-2015 09:33 AM)beachboy Wrote:  A movement/letter/petition by Chicago-area prep coaches was the prime mover in getting NIU the bid over ISU and SIU. When the contract is up for renewal, this has to happen again. ISU no doubt will push for it again. SIU has no chance; too far away from heavily-populated. We do have an indoor practice facility, which only U of I has. (Northwestern is building one.) The IPF is our ace in the hole.

NIU having the East skybox/club built and open for the games would be a huge boost to our bid.

(12-02-2015 10:48 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Any idea on how much NIU/Destination DeKalb brought in money wise? I know hosting the games costs something like $450k.

Dunno....Did hear on WBBM radio 30K attendance for the 2 days.

Assume that's close to 2 years ago...

Small increase over 2013 attendance, which is several thousand more than they draw in Champaign--

The first IHSA state football finals held in DeKalb drew almost 30,000 fans to Northern Illinois' Huskie Stadium over two days, according to IHSA spokesman Matt Troha.

Troha also said the Friday attendance to watch the Class 1A-4A finals was just more than 10,000.

One of the main reasons NIU was able to secure the bid for the state football finals in odd-numbered years through 2021 was its proximity to Chicago and the potential for more fans to attend if the finals were closer.

That proved to be true in 2013.

Troha said the attendance for last year's state finals in Champaign at Illinois' Memorial Stadium was "around 26,800". The Friday attendance was a little more than 8,000 in 2012.

The state finals will return to Champaign in 2014, but come back to DeKalb in 2015, alternating between the two sites through 2021.

When the games are played in Champaign, there are acres and acres of empty seats. There are empty seats in Huskie Stadium, too, but not nearly as many. Looks better on TV.

(12-02-2015 01:42 PM)Max Power Wrote:  Small increase over 2013 attendance, which is several thousand more than they draw in Champaign--

The first IHSA state football finals held in DeKalb drew almost 30,000 fans to Northern Illinois' Huskie Stadium over two days, according to IHSA spokesman Matt Troha.

One of the main reasons NIU was able to secure the bid for the state football finals in odd-numbered years through 2021 was its proximity to Chicago and the potential for more fans to attend if the finals were closer.

That proved to be true in 2013.

The state finals will return to Champaign in 2014, but come back to DeKalb in 2015, alternating between the two sites through 2021.

Assuming the stadium upgrades are done in the next few years, NIU should make a strong bid to host the finals EVERY year. With an upgraded stadium, the Chessick Center and the proximity to the larger schools, the H.S. Coaches will again support the bid. Chambana will kick and scream, but it's definitely a winnable campaign. Go for it!

(12-02-2015 02:15 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(12-02-2015 01:42 PM)Max Power Wrote:  Small increase over 2013 attendance, which is several thousand more than they draw in Champaign--

The first IHSA state football finals held in DeKalb drew almost 30,000 fans to Northern Illinois' Huskie Stadium over two days, according to IHSA spokesman Matt Troha.

One of the main reasons NIU was able to secure the bid for the state football finals in odd-numbered years through 2021 was its proximity to Chicago and the potential for more fans to attend if the finals were closer.

That proved to be true in 2013.

The state finals will return to Champaign in 2014, but come back to DeKalb in 2015, alternating between the two sites through 2021.

Assuming the stadium upgrades are done in the next few years, NIU should make a strong bid to host the finals EVERY year. With an upgraded stadium, the Chessick Center and the proximity to the larger schools, the H.S. Coaches will again support the bid. Chambana will kick and scream, but it's definitely a winnable campaign. Go for it!

OHHHH BUT SCREW UPGRADES MANNNNNN NOBODY FILLS HUSKIE STADIUM NOW DUUUDDDEEEE WHY UPGRADE IT AND WASTE MONEYS BROOOOOOOOO

man some fans are dumb. Not you, just people in general

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

(12-02-2015 02:38 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(12-02-2015 02:15 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(12-02-2015 01:42 PM)Max Power Wrote:  Small increase over 2013 attendance, which is several thousand more than they draw in Champaign--

The first IHSA state football finals held in DeKalb drew almost 30,000 fans to Northern Illinois' Huskie Stadium over two days, according to IHSA spokesman Matt Troha.

One of the main reasons NIU was able to secure the bid for the state football finals in odd-numbered years through 2021 was its proximity to Chicago and the potential for more fans to attend if the finals were closer.

That proved to be true in 2013.

The state finals will return to Champaign in 2014, but come back to DeKalb in 2015, alternating between the two sites through 2021.

Assuming the stadium upgrades are done in the next few years, NIU should make a strong bid to host the finals EVERY year. With an upgraded stadium, the Chessick Center and the proximity to the larger schools, the H.S. Coaches will again support the bid. Chambana will kick and scream, but it's definitely a winnable campaign. Go for it!

OHHHH BUT SCREW UPGRADES MANNNNNN NOBODY FILLS HUSKIE STADIUM NOW DUUUDDDEEEE WHY UPGRADE IT AND WASTE MONEYS BROOOOOOOOO

man some fans are dumb. Not you, just people in general.

It is sad, isn't it?

The determining factor for attendance is usually which schools make it to the championships and also the weather. I swear when Batavia was playing Richards a couple years ago, the stands were damn near packed for Batavia. It was also a sunny, clear 49-52 degrees that day! Batavia, brought the entire town!! They represented big time! The 8A game between Naperville Central and Loyola packed in some fans too. Mt. Carmel travels well.....Batavia, the Napervilles....(any school in Naperville, actually). The weather was awesome a couple years ago, unlike the brisk, wet mess we had this past weekend. I know a few coaches though that are VERY happy that the finals are in DeKalb every other year. Namely Hetlet from Glenbard West. Said he loves coming back to the alma mater (I didn't even know that).

(12-02-2015 02:38 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(12-02-2015 02:15 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(12-02-2015 01:42 PM)Max Power Wrote:  Small increase over 2013 attendance, which is several thousand more than they draw in Champaign--

The first IHSA state football finals held in DeKalb drew almost 30,000 fans to Northern Illinois' Huskie Stadium over two days, according to IHSA spokesman Matt Troha.

One of the main reasons NIU was able to secure the bid for the state football finals in odd-numbered years through 2021 was its proximity to Chicago and the potential for more fans to attend if the finals were closer.

That proved to be true in 2013.

The state finals will return to Champaign in 2014, but come back to DeKalb in 2015, alternating between the two sites through 2021.

Assuming the stadium upgrades are done in the next few years, NIU should make a strong bid to host the finals EVERY year. With an upgraded stadium, the Chessick Center and the proximity to the larger schools, the H.S. Coaches will again support the bid. Chambana will kick and scream, but it's definitely a winnable campaign. Go for it!

OHHHH BUT SCREW UPGRADES MANNNNNN NOBODY FILLS HUSKIE STADIUM NOW DUUUDDDEEEE WHY UPGRADE IT AND WASTE MONEYS BROOOOOOOOO

man some fans are dumb. Not you, just people in general

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

hahaha right? I just don't get it.

And U of I gave up a home game this year to play at soldier Field last weekend. His did that work out? :)

(12-01-2015 11:54 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU having the Illinois State Championship Games over the U.I. is a major strategic victory.
It may result in future recruits and even more likely a higher NIU FB TV rating in Illinois,

+1

Well, if only my hometown of Marengo would have made it past Phillips in the 4a semi-final, we'd have packed the place (as we're only 20 miles away). Still, for us it was great as we hadn't been to the playoffs since 1997.

(12-02-2015 10:49 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(12-02-2015 09:33 AM)beachboy Wrote:  A movement/letter/petition by Chicago-area prep coaches was the prime mover in getting NIU the bid over ISU and SIU. When the contract is up for renewal, this has to happen again. ISU no doubt will push for it again. SIU has no chance; too far away from heavily-populated. We do have an indoor practice facility, which only U of I has. (Northwestern is building one.) The IPF is our ace in the hole.

NIU having the East skybox/club built and open for the games would be a huge boost to our bid.

ISU has one. I do not see people traveling an extra few hours each way,so that a small group of fans get to watch the game in style in AbNormal Illinois.

It would make more sense as a corporate expense for their executives and guests.
Does the cost benefit justify it? If so how many years to pay-off that expense?
Who will use it?
Will they pay for it?
These tournaments bring in allot of local business, do the local business contribute financially ?

(12-02-2015 04:26 PM)NIUAlum90 Wrote:  And U of I gave up a home game this year to play at soldier Field last weekend. His did that work out? :)

Actually it's a good move for them. With universities on Thanksgiving Break, a game at Soldier Field is a closer travel option than traveling to CHampaign on the Saturday after the holiday which not many students would do if they didn't live within 60 miles of Champaign. Attendance was decent considering the weather. It takes diehard fans to sit through 35 degree temps with wind off the lake.

Happy that Northwestern got the W. Fitz and his staff have done a great job this year getting the most out of the talent available.