General | September 8
DeKALB, Ill. – Chris Barker, a veteran college athletics administrator and proven fundraiser with Midwest roots, will join the Northern Illinois University Athletics executive team as senior associate athletic director for development and revenue generation, NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean T. Frazier announced Thursday.
Barker comes to NIU from Southern Connecticut State University, where he served as Director of Athletics since July of 2021, leading the Owls' department to new milestones in revenue generation and corporate partnerships while creating programs to elevate the student-athlete experience and establishing collaborations with units throughout campus.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome Chris Barker and his family to the Huskie family," Frazier said. "I have no doubt he will make an immediate and positive impact on NIU that will extend beyond our department. He is an experienced administrator with Midwest roots who comes to DeKalb after sitting in the AD's chair at his previous stop. We're excited to be able to bring an individual with his proven abilities to NIU."
During his time at SCSU, Barker served as the department's chief development officer and oversaw a 250 percent revenue increase and 30 percent increase in donor giving during the annual Owl Homecoming Campaign, as well as a record-setting Day of Caring with $247,418 raised. Corporate partnerships increased by 80 percent under Barker's leadership and the Owls signed their first ever apparel agreement with Nike/BSN.
In addition, SCSU Athletics saw numerous facility enhancements in the last two years, including a $1.8 million renovation of the Jess Dow Field Turf & Track Project along with facility improvements at Pelz Softball Field, the Ballpark at SCSU, and the James Moore Field House. The Owls' 500 student-athletes benefitted from new programs focused on career and leadership development, mental health and nutrition, while the staff was bolstered by the creation of new positions.
Prior to becoming athletic director at SCSU, Barker spent more than three years at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin, beginning his tenure there as associate director of athletics for internal operations in March 2018 before being promoted to senior associate athletic director for revenue generation and administration and then to deputy director of athletics in January 2020.
During his time at UW-Parkside, he assisted in the development and implementation of the largest fundraising and facility campaign in the school's athletics history, helped create and secure naming rights for multiple facilities and oversaw all external revenue sources. He was involved with budget oversight and development, as well as sport administration.
Barker came to Parkside from Carthage College where he was director of operations (May 2015-December 2016) and assistant athletic director (December 2016-March 2018), helping manage corporate partnerships while also helping secure more than $650,000 in annual philanthropic support.
"I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Northern Illinois University as the senior associate athletic director for development and revenue generation," Barker said. "The opportunity to contribute to the growth of NIU Athletics, alongside the visionary leadership of Sean Frazier and the team of talented administrators and coaches, to create a competitive excellent student-athlete experience fills me with immense excitement."
Barker's duties at NIU will be focused on campus and community outreach, including the Huskie Athletic Fund, major gifts and gift-in-kind program while also serving as the department's liaison to the NIU Alumni Association and NIU Foundation. He will be the sport administrator for several sports programs as well as the Sports Performance area and will take the lead on special events like the Victor E. Bash and Hall of Fame.
A baseball student-athlete at Madison College and UNC-Greensboro, Barker earned his bachelor's degree from UNCG in communication studies and holds a master's degree from Delaware State. He completed the NCAA Pathways Program in 2019 and has served on multiple NCAA committees at his previous career stops.
Barker begins his duties at NIU on Monday, September 11.
-- NIU --
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics
