A key component in the mission of the NIU Alumni Association is to create opportunities to connect and interact with the University community.

The NIUAA will unveil its newest opportunity for its alumni, family and friends on Thursday, Sept. 1, as the “Mission’s Grove” alumni tailgating area will open at 4 p.m., prior to the NIU/Eastern Illinois football home opener at Huskie Stadium.

Mission’s Grove is located in the Oderkirk parking lot, which is adjacent to the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center, located at 231 N. Annie Glidden Rd. in DeKalb, Illinois, 60115. This event is free of charge.

“Mission’s Grove will give alumni and friends of the University a chance to reconnect and celebrate the Huskie community together,” said Executive Director of Operations and Alumni Relations Reggie Bustinza. “I am so excited to see what this designated space will do for Huskie fans and their families, and I hope it brings us together in a meaningful way, as we celebrate our defending Mid-American Conference champions.”

This area will feature alumni-owned Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling and Waterman Winery & Vineyards, along with a variety of unique and eclectic food trucks that will appeal to all ages.

Mission’s Grove will be enclosed by a 40’ x 60’ tent, which will include four 20’ x 20’ tents that are available for group rental. For tent pricing and availability, please contact NIU Foundation Director of Events Dana King, ’05, at dking1@niu.edu or 815-753-5421.

Sounds like a nice game-day feature.

I think I love this

It sounds like the Homecoming Alumni Village model that was on the same site for several years about ten years ago.

Alumni Village was a series of tents sponsored by the different colleges. Each college tent had a variety of FREE food and drinks. The Engineering College tent had Italian Beefs, brats, hot dogs, chips and brownies. The first two years they even free beer and soda. Then the bean counters let Goose Island Brewery start charging everyone for drinks. Alumni Village was a first-class operation that was taken away from us for some reason.

There will be group tent rentals, and I doubt Pollyanna, Waterman and the food trucks are going to just hand out stuff. But that's common sense and no big deal.

BUT ... the main thing is ... somebody is actually DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE to foster comaraderie among alumni, connected to a Huskie football game. How many times have we lamented the lack of people activity and personal contact with the folks?

Hope it draws well so we can see it again vs Vanderbilt and Toledo.

(Tnx to DF for posting.)

Does this replace the Yard?

(07-06-2022 04:14 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Does this replace the Yard?

The yard was probably pretty pricey, maybe it does? I like this idea better, always thought alumni village or whatever it used to be called was nice. Mission Grove costs are limited to popping up a few tents, and then letting the food and beer trucks do the rest of the work. Just as good as far as I'm concerned, visitor center seems more accessible, more room in the West lawn for normal tailgating then?

(07-06-2022 07:58 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(07-06-2022 04:14 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Does this replace the Yard?

The yard was probably pretty pricey, maybe it does? I like this idea better, always thought alumni village or whatever it used to be called was nice. Mission Grove costs are limited to popping up a few tents, and then letting the food and beer trucks do the rest of the work. Just as good as far as I'm concerned, visitor center seems more accessible, more room in the West lawn for normal tailgating then?

I would highly doubt that they would shut down the Yard. All the bigger donors park on the West side, and I doubt that they would make them trek on over to the BAVC for food and drink. Where it is now makes sense, plus it's together with the HAF tent.

(07-07-2022 08:35 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-06-2022 07:58 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(07-06-2022 04:14 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Does this replace the Yard?

The yard was probably pretty pricey, maybe it does? I like this idea better, always thought alumni village or whatever it used to be called was nice. Mission Grove costs are limited to popping up a few tents, and then letting the food and beer trucks do the rest of the work. Just as good as far as I'm concerned, visitor center seems more accessible, more room in the West lawn for normal tailgating then?

I would highly doubt that they would shut down the Yard. All the bigger donors park on the West side, and I doubt that they would make them trek on over to the BAVC for food and drink. Where it is now makes sense, plus it's together with the HAF tent.

Sounds good to me, the more the merrier. Did really like the Alumni Village, glad something is going back in that spot.

I think this is a great move. We too use to have a giant tent for this, but about ten years ago, UT built our permanent alumni pavilion with donor dollars right next to the Glass Bowl, so a great location. Its also available for private events. Food and drinks are free for everyone, not just alumni, which just makes it more inviting to bring family or friends with you to the game. This is really nice for folks that don't have a tail gate set up. About 500 to 1,000 folks per game roll through there. Below is the article and photo if you are interested. I hope this works out well for NIU.

https://www.toledoalumni.org/visit-campu...-pavilion/

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. ... I hope this works out well for NIU.

There. I fixed it for you. Thanks for the kudos. I'm sure we'll enjoy our tents and food trucks.

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. We too use to have a giant tent for this, but about ten years ago, UT built our permanent alumni pavilion with donor dollars right next to the Glass Bowl, so a great location. Its also available for private events. Food and drinks are free for everyone, not just alumni, which just makes it more inviting to bring family or friends with you to the game. This is really nice for folks that don't have a tail gate set up. About 500 to 1,000 folks per game roll through there. Below is the article and photo if you are interested. I hope this works out well for NIU.

https://www.toledoalumni.org/visit-campu...-pavilion/

No need to talk about it, everything that Toledo does is the best and cutting edge. Toledo equals greatness. In fact, I want to be on equal footing with the intelligence of Toledo Alumni, I just need a lobotomy first.

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. We too use to have a giant tent for this, but about ten years ago, UT built our permanent alumni pavilion with donor dollars right next to the Glass Bowl, so a great location. Its also available for private events. Food and drinks are free for everyone, not just alumni, which just makes it more inviting to bring family or friends with you to the game. This is really nice for folks that don't have a tail gate set up. About 500 to 1,000 folks per game roll through there. Below is the article and photo if you are interested. I hope this works out well for NIU.

https://www.toledoalumni.org/visit-campu...-pavilion/

Next visit to Toledo, I will defiantly check this out. Anytime there is free food and drinks, I will be there. Thanks for sending.
Good friends or rivals borrow ideas all the time.
Just look around the Wrigley Field area and compare it to Fenway Park 10 years ago.

(07-07-2022 01:40 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. We too use to have a giant tent for this, but about ten years ago, UT built our permanent alumni pavilion with donor dollars right next to the Glass Bowl, so a great location. Its also available for private events. Food and drinks are free for everyone, not just alumni, which just makes it more inviting to bring family or friends with you to the game. This is really nice for folks that don't have a tail gate set up. About 500 to 1,000 folks per game roll through there. Below is the article and photo if you are interested. I hope this works out well for NIU.

https://www.toledoalumni.org/visit-campu...-pavilion/

Next visit to Toledo, I will defiantly check this out. Anytime there is free food and drinks, I will be there. Thanks for sending.
Good friends or rivals borrow ideas all the time.
Just look around the Wrigley Field area and compare it to Fenway Park 10 years ago.

You should, everyone is welcome, even the handful of NIU fans that have some really weird hatred toward UT as noted on the post prior to yours. Ill take the high road and hope to see you there.

(07-07-2022 09:53 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. ... I hope this works out well for NIU.

There. I fixed it for you. Thanks for the kudos. I'm sure we'll enjoy our tents and food trucks.

I really like the idea of the food trucks and the local beer and wine. This could turn into something really great just like we experienced that led to the permanent pavilion. I hope you guys have a great turnout for every game!

(07-08-2022 01:55 PM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  

(07-07-2022 09:53 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. ... I hope this works out well for NIU.

There. I fixed it for you. Thanks for the kudos. I'm sure we'll enjoy our tents and food trucks.

I really like the idea of the food trucks and the local beer and wine. This could turn into something really great just like we experienced that led to the permanent pavilion. I hope you guys have a great turnout for every game!

Thanks, appreciate the sentiments. The Toledo alumni village looks good too. You guys have great support and facilities.

(07-08-2022 01:51 PM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  

(07-07-2022 01:40 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(07-07-2022 09:37 AM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  I think this is a great move. We too use to have a giant tent for this, but about ten years ago, UT built our permanent alumni pavilion with donor dollars right next to the Glass Bowl, so a great location. Its also available for private events. Food and drinks are free for everyone, not just alumni, which just makes it more inviting to bring family or friends with you to the game. This is really nice for folks that don't have a tail gate set up. About 500 to 1,000 folks per game roll through there. Below is the article and photo if you are interested. I hope this works out well for NIU.

https://www.toledoalumni.org/visit-campu...-pavilion/

Next visit to Toledo, I will defiantly check this out. Anytime there is free food and drinks, I will be there. Thanks for sending.
Good friends or rivals borrow ideas all the time.
Just look around the Wrigley Field area and compare it to Fenway Park 10 years ago.

You should, everyone is welcome, even the handful of NIU fans that have some really weird hatred toward UT as noted on the post prior to yours. Ill take the high road and hope to see you there.

St. Pete, I think what you sense from some Huskie fans is a good natured rivalry after the Rockets dominated us for decades. It probably reached its peak in 2007 after a 70-21 thrashing of our Huskies during an injury-defined season. I recall either coach Kill or coach Doeren or both mentioning the desire to beat Toledo when they were hired. Overall, I think most of our fans respect your fans and how well you represent your team.

Stpeterrocketfan ... your original post was a "brag too far," imo, so I "fixed it" for you. But nothing mean or personal. And never to bas----ize a name just to be funny which, unfortunately, has happened at other times in other threads.

We should not disparage anyone who can accomplish something good, especially for fans. Toledo did good. Competition aside (until Oct. 8), every step up by anyone is a step up for the MAC.

This is a great addition. I like the effort to engage alumni and the community.