An interesting article that discusses how a regional university embraces the town, culture, and local economy and now thrives. Perhaps this is a blueprint for a new NIU?

https://www.minnpost.com/economy-0/2018/...al-economy

Quote:an example of how a university can help to shape a small town. At a time when many small towns in Minnesota are struggling – losing population or industry, or both – Bemidji finds stability in its state university, not only from the money the school pumps into the local economy but also from its cultural impact.

Bemidji State University

BSU Beavers

Do these schools play any weeknight games that do not afford fans the time to patronize local establishments?

Northern MN is a majestic place to visit in summertime.

This small town is the middle of nowhere and 4 hours from MSTP and Winnipeg. The school is probably their whole life due to geography.

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Northern MN is a majestic place to visit in summertime.

Except for the mosquitos.

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  This small town is the middle of nowhere and 4 hours from MSTP and Winnipeg. The school is probably their whole life due to geography.

The parallel I see is that no matter how hard NIU tries to be "Chicago's Team" the University is not getting traction.

So does the conversation re-focus to making NIU the "whole life" of some portion of northern Illinois in geographic circle not including the west suburbs and the city?

(04-02-2018 04:12 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Northern MN is a majestic place to visit in summertime.

Except for the mosquitos.

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  This small town is the middle of nowhere and 4 hours from MSTP and Winnipeg. The school is probably their whole life due to geography.

The parallel I see is that no matter how hard NIU tries to be "Chicago's Team" the University is not getting traction.

So does the conversation re-focus to making NIU the "whole life" of some portion of northern Illinois in geographic circle not including the west suburbs and the city?

I think they are better off pulling and focusing on the Western Suburbs, Rockford and Dekalb. The idea that there are 50,000+ people in the Dekalb/Sycamore area and we can't fill any games, basketball/football or otherwise is batsh*t insane. They'd be better off looking at what the Kane County Cougars and Rockford Ice Hogs are doing and modeling after them.

If Learfield can't deliver... and i'm not seeing anything that makes me think they are, its time to send them packing.

Heck, even the Learfield Representative for NIU, Mike Shayotovich is pulling double duty and promoting Nevada as well.

(04-02-2018 04:12 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Northern MN is a majestic place to visit in summertime.

Except for the mosquitos.

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  This small town is the middle of nowhere and 4 hours from MSTP and Winnipeg. The school is probably their whole life due to geography.

The parallel I see is that no matter how hard NIU tries to be "Chicago's Team" the University is not getting traction.

Being an NIU fan feels like being a White Sox fan in a decidedly Cubs town! I know this all too well.

(04-03-2018 09:46 AM)thehappyhuskie Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 04:12 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Northern MN is a majestic place to visit in summertime.

Except for the mosquitos.

(04-02-2018 02:35 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  This small town is the middle of nowhere and 4 hours from MSTP and Winnipeg. The school is probably their whole life due to geography.

The parallel I see is that no matter how hard NIU tries to be "Chicago's Team" the University is not getting traction.

So does the conversation re-focus to making NIU the "whole life" of some portion of northern Illinois in geographic circle not including the west suburbs and the city?

I think they are better off pulling and focusing on the Western Suburbs, Rockford and Dekalb. The idea that there are 50,000+ people in the Dekalb/Sycamore area and we can't fill any games, basketball/football or otherwise is batsh*t insane. They'd be better off looking at what the Kane County Cougars and Rockford Ice Hogs are doing and modeling after them.

If Learfield can't deliver... and i'm not seeing anything that makes me think they are, its time to send them packing.

Heck, even the Learfield Representative for NIU, Mike Shayotovich is pulling double duty and promoting Nevada as well.

I wouldn't bother trying east of the Fox River for a few reasons. Travel congestion, entertainment options, and I'm not sure some of the nicer burbs feel NIU fits their upper middle class persona.

I'd hit Rockford and Aurora hard. Travel is manageable for both. Rockford is isolated and 88 runs right through Aurora. Aurora is a blue collar town with 200k. You can't gamble every night so come to a NIU game once in awhile.

Chicago is both a blessing and a curse to DeKalb. It does bring in a lot of students but it also takes them back every weekend. With only 2 bars and and greek life pretty much all but kicked off. There is nothing left to do. Most students start leaving NIU Thursday night and are gone by 3pm Friday. DeKalb is pretty much a ghost town on the weekends. There is nothing in DeKalb to bring in students or any other visitors.