Celebrate With Your Fellow Golden Huskies At Homecoming! (Oct. 9-10, 2026)
Get ready for NIU's 119th Homecoming weekend (October 9-10), where Golden Huskies — NIU graduates of 50+ years ago — will reunite and celebrate. This year, the Class of 1976 crosses the 50-year threshold and is invited to join the Golden Huskie Alumni Network for Golden Huskie-exclusive and community events during Homecoming! Learn more about how you can connect online and in person below!
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Reconnect & Reminisce - Join the Golden Huskie Alumni Network Facebook Group, check out last year's festivities, browse yearbooks from the 70s, or share your NIU journey through the Golden Huskies yearbook.
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Plan Your Visit - Room blocks for Homecoming can be found at the Best Western, Hampton Inn and the Holmes Student Center (815-753-1444; use code: Alumni). Visit the DeKalb County Visitors Bureau for additional hotel recommendations and sites to see.
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Leave Your Legacy - Make a difference in the life of a current student and help unlock our $50,000 fundraising challenge by making your gift today.
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If you need travel accommodations to get around on Friday, Oct. 9, we are offering a free shuttle bus. Times and locations can be found here.
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You've earned your Golden Huskies status, now wear it proudly! Celebrate this special 50+ year milestone with a Golden Huskies shirt and join fellow alumni in showing your Huskie spirit. Please note: A Golden Huskies shirt is required to participate in the on-field experience during the event.
Golden Huskies Soft Black T-Shirt
Pre-order your Golden Huskie shirts from the NIU Alumni Store by Sept. 27!**Since this is a pre-order, all shirts will ship after homecoming.**
Click the boxes below for more information about the various aspects of the weekend. Please direct questions to Melissa Ouimette at mouimette@niu.edu or 815-753-9057.
Golden Huskie Homecoming Events
Click the boxes below for descriptions of each activity.
Friday, Oct. 9 Coffee and Conversation - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.
Location: Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Join members of the Athletics team and fellow Golden Huskies for an engaging conversation about the evolving world of college athletics. From conference affiliations and competitive success to student-athlete experiences and the future of collegiate sports, this discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping today's athletic programs.
Bring your questions, enjoy a cup of coffee, and learn more about the exciting direction of NIU Athletics. Coffee and light pastries will be served.
Register using the shopping cart below.
Friday, Oct. 9 Golden Huskies Reception and Group Photo - $
Cost: $40 ($50 walk-in)
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Have a blast from the past at the Golden Huskies 50+ Year Reunion Reception at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, including the class of 1976. Take a walk down memory lane that’s been five decades in the making, with heavy hors d’oeuvres. Don't miss out on the reunion photo which will be taken during the reception.
Register using the shopping cart below.
Saturday, Oct. 10 Lunch with Mission and Victor E. - $
Cost: $30 ($35 walk-in)
Ages 4-17: $20 ($25 walk-in)
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: Altgeld Hall Auditorium
Golden Huskies are invited to join community members during this classic homecoming event. There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures with our favorite mascots, Mission III and Victor E. Huskie!
Each registration includes a full lunch buffet of fried chicken, pasta bar, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Guests who are over 21 years old will receive one ticket for a Dawgma beer from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling or a Huskie Seltz-Up from Penrose Brewing. Additional beverage tickets will be available to purchase for $7.50.
Parking is available in the lot on the north side of the lagoon, as well as in the art building parking lot, both of which are located off of College Ave.
Learn more here.
Register using the shopping cart below.
Saturday, Oct. 10 NIU vs. Air Force Homecoming Football Game Information/Tickets - $
Cost: $40 (Chairbacks); $35 (Benchbacks); $20 (Bench)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Huskie Stadium
Don't miss your access to the fun! Purchase your group ticket to cheer on our Huskies with other Golden Huskies during Homecoming.
Purchase your tickets using the shopping cart below.
NIU Homecoming Community Events
These events are managed by other NIU campus offices. You will receive event-related details from the party responsible for the event after registering via their website. Check out a complete list of Homecoming events here.
Thursday, Oct. 8 Huskie Homecoming Block Party - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown DeKalb 100 - 400 Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL
Local fans, students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join the Huskies for a down-home celebration in downtown DeKalb. The Huskie Homecoming Block Party has something for everyone—kidzone, classic car show, March of the Huskies, pep rally, food trucks, discounts at local businesses and much more!
No registration required.
Friday, Oct. 9 Homecoming Campus Tour (with the Golden Huskies) - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Welcome home Huskies! We are excited to host the official alumni tour on behalf of the university.
This year’s theme will take a look inside Huskie athletics. The campus tour bus will depart from the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center (BAVC) and pass by different buildings, such as the Chick Evans Field House, Chessick Practice Center, Yordon Center, Convocation Center, Altgeld, the Holmes Student Center, and more before returning to the BAVC. The various stops during the tour will also highlight recently renovated spaces on our campus as well as spaces that are coming soon. We anticipate departing the bus and touring at least two locations during this trip. Please be prepared to exit and return to the bus during the tour.
We encourage you to bring comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Free Parking will be available at the BAVC Parking Lot (Lot H & L)
Register using the shopping cart below.
Friday, Oct. 9 Golden Huskies Lunch in Neptune Hall - $ - No Pre-Registration Needed
Cost: Approximately $10 (credit card only; paid at time of purchase)
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: Neptune Hall Dining Area - 750 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb, IL 60115
Stop by Neptune Hall after the Homecoming Campus Tour to reminisce about your favorite cafeteria foods from your days as a Huskie and eating in a residence hall.
Friday, Oct. 9 Huskie Hour with DeKalb County Bold Spirits - $
Cost: $40
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Jonamac Orchard - 19412 Shabbona Rd., Malta, IL 60150
Get into the Homecoming weekend spirit when you join your fellow Huskies and fans for an afternoon of local beverages and fall-inspired appetizers at Jonamac Orchard. Enjoy special cocktails, brews and wine from DeKalb County Bold Spirit partners, live music and a festive atmosphere.
Learn more here.
Register using the shopping cart below.