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Breaking News: Northern Illinois Rejoins Horizon League in 2026

David Wassler

24 Feb 2025 — 2 min read

Welcome Back to the Horizon League

According to Brett McMurphy, Northern Illinois will join the Horizon League pending approval from NIU's board on Thursday. Football, wrestling, and gymnastics will not be included in the move, but men's basketball will bring the league back to an even 12 teams.

NIU previously competed in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference—now known as the Horizon League—from 1994 to 1997. The addition of NIU will restore the league's presence in the Chicago market after losing UIC in January 2022, following UIC's nearly three-decade membership since 1994.

The Huskies are currently led by head coach Rashon Burno and hold a 5-22 overall record (1-13 in the Mid-American Conference). In Division I matchups, Northern Kentucky is 2-0 against NIU, with both victories coming in the 2018-19 season. Due to scheduling conflicts that year, the teams faced off twice, with NKU winning 88-85 in double overtime in DeKalb on November 9 and securing a 65-62 home victory on December 20.

NIU is in the fourth year of a five-year contract under Burno, holding an overall record of 38-82 and a 21-49 mark in conference play.

Stay tuned to Norse Illustrated this week for more updates on potential schedule and tournament changes related to this news.

Breaking: Northern Illinois’ non-football sports will join Horizon League in 2026 pending NIU board’s approval on Thursday, sources said. Only exceptions are wrestling & gymnastics, not offered by Horizon. NIU also joins Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) February 24, 2025

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Juanma Ruiz Signing Caps Busy Offseason for NKU Men’s Basketball

Inside the Norse Portal Plan: Simon McCormack Talks Scouting, Fit, and Efficiency

Backcourt Boost: Dan Gherezgher Returns and Shawn Nelson Signs

As Four Players Exit, Coach Horn Weighs in on Life in the Transfer Portal Era