NIU Football Takes a Bold Leap into the Mountain West Conference!

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University has received an invitation for the Huskies to enter the Mountain West Conference exclusively for football, starting in 2026, as announced by NIU and the Mountain West on Tuesday (Jan. 7). This announcement followed a session of the NIU Board of Trustees.
 
“This marks an incredibly thrilling day for Northern Illinois University, the NIU football program, and Huskie supporters nationwide,” stated NIU President Lisa C. Freeman. “We are thoroughly excited to accept the invitation for the Huskie football team to join such a distinguished group of universities within the Mountain West Conference. This transition will create new prospects for our student-athletes, broaden our reach, and enhance the national reputation of Huskie Football as they represent NIU and strive for championships both honorably and effectively.”
 
NIU is set to commemorate its 125th season of intercollegiate athletics in 2024-25 and holds the title of the most victorious Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program in Illinois this century. The Huskies rank among the Top 30 FBS programs nationally in terms of victories over the past 15 seasons, boasting five conference titles, 11 winning seasons, and 11 bowl appearances, including in 2024 when NIU achieved its second consecutive eight-win season with a triumph over Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
 
“What an incredible opportunity for NIU Athletics as we broaden our horizons, adjust to this new national paradigm of college athletics, and prepare to initiate a new chapter in the legacy of NIU Football,” remarked Sean T. Frazier, NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation. “We appreciate Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the members of the Mountain West Conference for this invitation, as well as NIU President Lisa Freeman for her backing throughout this process. The effects of this transition to the Mountain West will resonate throughout our entire department and university. Our supporters will relish the intensified competition, the media attention, and the additional prospects that this collaboration with the conference and its esteemed institutions will bring.”
 
The 2026 MW football season will include the United States Air Force Academy, University of Hawai?i at Manoa, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, Northern Illinois University, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Texas, El Paso, and University of Wyoming.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome the Northern Illinois University football program to the Mountain West,” stated MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “In assessing NIU, the MW Board of Directors and Directors of Athletics thoroughly evaluated and were impressed by its history of football success and its dedication to academic achievement. NIU aligns with the Mountain West’s vision of balancing academic performance with athletic prowess and emphasizing opportunities for an extraordinary student-athlete experience both on and off the field.”
 
Since joining the “Major College” (now Football Bowl Subdivision) ranks in 1969, NIU has spent 39 seasons (1975-85, 1997-2024) – including the last 18 consecutive years – in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies were part of the Big West Conference for football from 1993-95 and functioned as an independent from 1986-92 and again in 1996.
 
“What a fantastic opportunity for NIU football,” expressed NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, who concluded his sixth year as head coach at his alma mater in 2024. “I am grateful to the Mountain West, Sean [Frazier], President Freeman, and the Board for their commitment to our program. I believe this transition and the interest in NIU Football reflect what we’ve accomplished in the past and what we can achieve in the future. As both head coach and an alumnus, it’s incredibly important to me that NIU football competes at the highest level for conference and national championships. Moving to the Mountain West, especially amidst the current changes in college football, positions NIU well for that goal.”
 
To guarantee that the NIU football program possesses the resources and facilities required to compete for Mountain West Championships starting in 2026, NIU has introduced “Huskies Ascend,” an appeal to fans, friends, and supporters to demonstrate their steadfast backing, participate in this historic leap, and assist in elevating NIU Football to new heights. To contribute now, click here.
 

For further information on the Huskies’ transition to the Mountain West for football in 2026, check the Q&A below and view the interview with Frazier on the NIU Athletics Official YouTube Channel.
 
NIU Football to the Mountain West – Questions and Answers
 
When will NIU Football commence play in the Mountain West Conference?
NIU will formally join the Mountain West as a football-exclusive member on July 1, 2026, and will begin competition for the 2026 football season.
 
Which teams will NIU face in the Mountain West?
In 2026, the nine football squads in the Mountain West will include: Air Force, Hawai’i, Nevada, New Mexico, NIU, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP, and Wyoming.
 
What prompted NIU Football to depart the MAC for the Mountain West starting in 2026, and why at this moment?
In recent years, significant transformations have occurred in college athletics. The NCAA House case settlement alone will lead to revenue sharing with student-athletes and an increase in roster (scholarship) numbers. Coupled with the transfer portal and the ability for student-athletes to profit from Name, Image, Likeness (NIL), the entire landscape from recruitment to player development to what institutions can offer has evolved. The expanded College Football Playoff launching this year will continue to shape how teams and athletic departments operate.
To remain pertinent and competitive in this new environment, it became crucial to analyze – and strategize how to optimize every revenue source to ensure sustainability – and the high standard of excellence – for all Huskie programs. Administrators were encouraged to think creatively and determine ways to help NIU ensure that its student-athletes thrive both academically and athletically. Transitioning to the Mountain West opens multiple prospects and advantages for our program and athletes.
Throughout that evaluation process, once interest from the Mountain West in Huskie Football arose, we felt confident in the resources that would be available. We are reassured that there will be increased resources for all our programs. The financial considerationsand how that will enhance NIU was a crucial aspect as we discuss sustainability in this evolving college athletics landscape.

What made NIU and NIU Football appealing to the Mountain West at this moment?
Huskie Football is a recognized asset with a national reputation, established through conference championships and “Boneyard Wins” against highly resourced (i.e. “power conference”) teams. The track record of triumph for NIU Football this century is impressive, boasting 19 winning seasons, surpassing any Division I program in the state, and a squad that ranks among the Top 30 FBS programs in the nation in victories over the last 15 years.

Why does a structure with football competing in the Mountain West, while NIU’s other programs participate in a different league, make sense?
This is a model that has been previously implemented by service academies, particularly Army West Point and Navy, and we have observed the benefits this can confer. Football, which has a limited number of conference games – and fewer road contests with less time spent traveling – possesses greater flexibility to compete in a league like the Mountain West. The remaining teams at NIU can engage in a more regional schedule, cultivate/maintain robust regional rivalries, travel in a way that is logical for those teams, and also allows their supporters to easily travel to cheer for them on the road.

Where will NIU’s sports, aside from football, compete in 2026?
NIU is dedicated to making the most favorable decision for ALL student-athletes and programs moving forward. We are committed to the MAC for the next 18 months, and we intend to take our time to actively assess all available options. We have several choices with numerous regionally based multi-sport conferences, including ongoing conversations with the MAC. We aim to be meticulous; we want to ensure we have the ideal fit for NIU and Huskie student-athletes. Concurrently, with the Mountain West transition now formalized, ensuring that all our athletics are properly supported is a priority. We truly believe this “national” model will function effectively and be an excellent match for NIU.

NIU previously departed the MAC and returned; what is the rationale for leaving this time, and how is it different?
NIU has a cherished and longstanding connection with the Mid-American Conference dating back to 1975 and, after exiting the league for a 12-year duration in the mid-80s, has spent the last 18 years consecutively competing in the MAC. When NIU exited the MAC in 1985, the landscape was markedly different given the transformations that have transpired in college athletics (House settlement, transfer portal, NIL, expanded CFP) over the past three years. The implications of these changes for NIU, the MAC, and each student-athlete were primary considerations driving this decision.

Why is NIU Athletics initiating Huskies Ascend at this juncture?
NIU Athletics is embarking on a new chapter in our history amid significant transformations in the collegiate athletics arena. Amplifying support for NIU Football from donors, alumni, football alumni, and the local community while gearing up for this transition is essential for preserving the championship legacy of NIU Football and preparing the program for future achievements in the Mountain West. Huskies Ascend will tackle specific areas such as the locker room, facilities, and equipment, the 1899 Club, and will involve exploring additional revenue opportunities to ensure the viability of NIU Football, with more details forthcoming in the upcoming weeks. From a moment to a movement to the summit, we aspire for all Huskies to choose to participate in Huskies Ascend.

— NIU —

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