When NIU makes a promotional video, does it show a classroom full of students and life, or a room as empty as a college student’s wallet?

So how can anyone say hosting a nationally televised game on a Thursday showcases NIU’s football program?

The Huskies have no choice when it comes to this game; contracts dictate their schedule. But I can’t see how anyone can rationalize a game played with a half empty stadium as a great recruiting tool.

Did anyone pay attention to the Bowling Green vs. Buffalo game this week? Because only 13,202 fans decided to show up.

And NIU doesn’t do much better. Last year in a weekday game against CMU, only 13,543 spectators came out. Navy produced better results with 17,932 fans. But NIU offered $1 tickets and 45 buses of midshipmen came.

Heck, at Virginia Tech, to get attendance up for weekday games, it cancels afternoon and night classes.

So if you want to play weekday games to make money, do so. But don’t try to sell it as a way to showcase the university and the program when in order to do so you have to endanger the mission of the university.

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