By John Ostapowicz / The Jambar
Starting in the 2026 fall semester, Youngstown State University will face a new Horizon League opponent in 13 of its 19 sports programs.
Northern Illinois University, located in DeKalb, Illinois, joins the conference after its board of trustees met Feb. 27 and approved a $1.4 million entrance fee for 14 sports programs.
After 50 years between two stints with the Mid-American Conference, the university will depart a second time. NIU President Lisa Freeman said the reason for departing the MAC and joining the Horizon League was its commitment to furthering its institutions and student-athletes.
“[NIU] really looks forward to working with the other institutions in the Horizon League to build stronger connections to our communities and our alumni base,” Freeman said. “The Horizon League has tremendous leadership and we could not be happier to be here.”
Freeman also said the move benefits student-athletes as it offers fans an easier travel experience with its closer proximity to other conference universities.
“That’s really important because we want to cheer on our Huskies at home, but we also want to cheer them on when there’s competition on the road,” Freeman said.
Julie Roe Lach, commissioner of the Horizon League, said the addition of the university helps maintain the conference’s focus on its four key pillars, which include student-athletes exposure to major cities, commitment to experiences, addressing emerging trends and students’ impact on local communities.
“With the addition of NIU to the Horizon League we will have — across our seven state footprint — we will be in six of the top 30 television markets, which is incredible exposure for student-athletes and for our institutions,” Lach said.
NIU becomes the conference’s 12th university joining the likes of YSU, Cleveland State University, Wright State University and Robert Morris University, as well as seven other institutions.
Director of Athletics and Recreation, Sean Frazier, said the move took a lot of consideration and felt it was the right decision for the university and its athletes.
“In this dynamic state of college athletics and higher education, it’s important for us to make sure we do the right things for our institution, and that’s what happened here,” Frazier said.
When the move is completed, YSU’s athletic programs will travel to and host NIU in sports, such as men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball, along with several others.
YSU’s student-athletes will also compete in several of NIU’s facilities, such as the Convocation Center, the Victor E. Court, NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex, Ralph McKinzie Field and Mary M. Bell Field.
The move to the Horizon League mark’s NIU’s second conference realignment in 2025. The university’s football program announced Jan. 7 that it will join the Mountain West Conference with schools such as Boise State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
With the departure, NIU looks to remain in the MAC as an affiliate member for wrestling and gymnastics — as the Horizon League has yet to sponsor those sports.
NIU will officially join the Horizon League and the Mountain West on July 1, 2026.