Arts, Entertainment and Athletics
Cheer for the Huskies on the field and on the stage.
As Huskies, we take every opportunity to display our school spirit and support our pack. With accomplished athletic teams and a vibrant arts community, you'll have many opportunities to cheer on your fellow Huskies.
Show Your Support for Sport
NIU's athletic teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, the Mountain West Conference, the Horizon League and the Pac-12 Conference. Our athletic programs include men's sports (baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis and wrestling) and women's sports (basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball).
As a student, you get free admission to all NIU Athletics home games. All you need to do is download your tickets from the NIU Athletics box office to your mobile device and show up on game day.
Explore Esports
You can cheer on our NIU Esports teams at our Esports Arena and connect online through our Discord server. Esports provides a way for Huskies to gather, play, compete and learn from others through video games. We offer events throughout the year to connect you with other students, alumni and community organizations.
Experience Music, Theater and Dance Performances
As a student, you're able to attend performances hosted by our School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance for free by creating an account with the College of Visual and Performing Arts box office and reserving your ticket in advance.
Visit the NIU Art Museum
Part of the vibrant and active arts community on campus, the NIU Art Museum is a resource for campus, the local community and beyond. Located in Altgeld Hall, the museum presents an annual exhibition and events calendar with award-winning, original exhibitions and national traveling shows that explore thematic topics of visual culture.
Check Out the Jack Olson Gallery
Visit our Jack Olson Gallery, located on the second floor of Jack Arends Hall on the east side of campus. You'll discover the creative efforts of fellow students and professional artists. We even host artist lectures and exhibitions that are open to the public.
Tour the Pick Museum of Anthropology
The Pick Museum of Anthropology, located in the center of campus in Cole Hall, is a teaching museum that provides opportunities for students and faculty to conduct research, curate exhibitions and benefit from object-based learning. Our special exhibitions promote cultural awareness and understanding of human diversity.
Did You Know...
NIU began athletic competition in 1899, but we weren't known as the Huskies until 1940. We were first known as the Profs, a reference to our institution's original mission as a teacher's college. In the 1920s, we were called the Cardinals due to the color of our athletic jerseys. Our nickname in the 1930s, the Evansmen, was a reference to football coach George "Chick" Evans.
Huskie Spotlight
“NIU has so many amazing ensembles and performing groups...there are so few schools in the country that offer this variety of music!”Kacee Dugas,
Master of Music student, specialization in world music and cello performance
Keep Exploring
Explore all our Huskie Guides on topics that matter most to your success at NIU.