Nov. 17, 2006

DeKalb, IL - Loyal Northern Illinois University supporters Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon have significantly increased their original leadership gift to the Academic and Athletic Performance Center. This $2.5 million gift names the newest addition to the Huskie athletics footprint the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic Performance Center. The building will officially open in August of 2007.

Northern Illinois University President John Peters and Associate Vice-President/Director of Athletics Jim Phillips made the official announcement of the largest gift to Huskie Athletics in the 107-year history of the institution prior to the Huskies' final home football game of the 2006 season.

In making the commitment to NIU Athletics, Jeffrey and Kimberly expressed the rationale behind their impact gift:

"We both take significant pride in NIU's accomplishments over the last few years, and we realize that from an athletic standpoint, this center has to become a reality as soon as possible in order for NIU to reach the next level. This fantastic center will hopefully be one of the linchpins in helping the University train, recruit and develop young student-athletes in becoming future leaders and to elevate the institution to an elite level.

"We are very pleased to be a part of this project and have a great deal of pride in helping make this center a reality. We will look upon the Yordon Center with great pride and hope that the Center helps many teams and student-athletes succeed on the field and in life!"

Peters noted the impact the gift and the building will have on Northern Illinois Athletics going forward.

"This most recent commitment to NIU by Jeff and Kimberly Yordon is not only a wonderful gift to our student-athletes and coaching staff, but a tremendous vote of confidence in the direction the athletic program is headed at NIU," Peters said.

"I am grateful to them both and very proud that their names will grace this beautiful new addition to our campus. It is important for the thousands of student-athletes who will study and train in this facility in the years to come to know that alumni and friends like Jeff and Kimberly Yordon made it possible for them to pursue their dreams."

A former Huskie football letterwinner and NIU alumnus, Jeff rekindled his love for his alma mater and his connection with the football program after attending the Bowling Green game in 2002. Since that time, he and Kimberly have been avid supporters of Northern Illinois University and its athletic program. Their original leadership gift in 2005 to the Academic and Athletic Performance Center helped construction break ground. Now their increased gift will name the center in perpetuity.

"In athletic vernacular, Jeff and Kimberly Yordon epitomize the term `difference-maker'," Phillips said. "This is a truly historical gift for Northern Illinois University, and words can not begin to express what their loyalty and commitment mean to our program. In terms of providing our student-athletes a true world-class experience, this is the type of world-class gift that turns vision into reality."

Comprising over 62,000 square feet, the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic Performance Center is under construction adjacent to the north end zone of Huskie Stadium. In addition to an academic support center for student-athletes, highlights of the building include a strength and conditioning center, athletic training room, equipment room, a tiered classroom, and meeting space that will truly make a difference for Huskie student-athletes. A bronze Huskie dog statue will be positioned just outside the tunnel en route to the Brigham Field playing surface.

"The Yordon Center is the first athletic facility at NIU to be built primarily with gift support, and the Yordons are the first donors ever to name an athletics building on our campus," said Mallory M. Simpson, president of the NIU Foundation. "Jeff and Kimberly should be very proud of their place in NIU history."

The Yordons' gift puts the Academic and Athletic and Performance Center campaign over its $9 million goal. The Yordon Center is the third capital project at NIU since 2000 to be built through private support, joining Barsema Hall, the home of the College of Business, and the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. The NIU Foundation has served as developer on all three capital projects.

Progress on the construction of the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic Performance Center can be monitored daily on www.niuhuskies.com by clicking on the Yordon Center links.

-- NIU --