Bradley J. Hoey, '84, Honored With the F.R. Geigle Service Award
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
For Brad Hoey, ’84, his 30-year career at Northern Illinois University was more than a profession; it was a deep commitment to the institution he loves.
For nearly two decades, Hoey was a recognizable voice of Huskie Athletics, informing fans during games as a public address announcer across seven sports and emceeing countless athletic events. Viewers of “Inside Huskie Sports” remember Hoey as the charismatic host of NIU’s sports magazine television program, which aired for 10 seasons. He held roles including director of media relations, director of internal communications and interim vice president for marketing and communications.
Before retiring from NIU in 2020, Hoey capped his tenure as director of the Huskie Varsity Club and Premium Experiences for NIU Athletics’ Huskie Athletic Fund, a role that drew on his NIU history and passion for the Huskie community.
Today, Hoey serves as special projects manager for the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau (DCCVB), and he was elected City Clerk for the City of DeKalb in April 2025.
“The DCCVB promotes and markets DeKalb County’s wonderful events, attractions, meeting spaces and hospitality businesses,” Hoey said. “My area of expertise is events and sports tourism, which allows me to remain connected with many of my former NIU colleagues and community leadership throughout the county and region. I tell people I’m failing at retirement and loving it!”
NIU colleagues refer to Hoey as “Mr. NIU”—a nickname that represents his involvement and loyalty.
“While the moniker was designated somewhat in jest, I embraced it with a smile and with pride,” Hoey said. “I love NIU.”
His enduring support and unwavering service to NIU and the DeKalb community are why Hoey is the 2025 recipient of the F.R. Geigle Service Award from the NIU Alumni Association.
Hoey’s contributions have earned him several other accolades, including the NIU Supportive Professional Staff Award (2006), the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Award (2024) and the City of DeKalb honored him with the “Key to the City” in 2022. In 2025, with his nearly three-decade involvement with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, he was inducted into its Hall of Fame and named the Chamber’s 2024 Ambassador of the Year.
Rooted in his community and civic involvement, Hoey is chair of the City of DeKalb’s Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission and has been intimately involved in promoting and perpetuating the city’s public art initiatives. He is a member of the Family Service Agency's board of directors and is involved in #ProudlyDeKalb, a collaborative effort to attract and retain residents and workers in DeKalb. In 2020, Hoey became a member of the newly formed DeKalb County UNITES group, which assisted local small businesses, business owners and employees with information and resources to navigate the economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he joined the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation’s (DCEDC) Opportunity Unbound initiative as a marketing consultant.
Before working for the DCCVB, Hoey was a longtime member, including four years as the bureau’s board president from 2016 to 2020. During his tenure, he played a key role in bringing the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Football State Championships to DeKalb, developing the IHSA Destination DeKalb brand and leading marketing efforts for the event.
Hoey’s community involvement began while he was a student at NIU, and that involvement significantly influenced his college experience. He was active on the Douglas Hall Council, the dorm in which he lived his first two years, and the Residence Hall Association. Joining the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Hoey became part of Greek life and, later, the Student Association (known now as the Student Government Association). He worked at the Holmes Student Center as a supervisor, also known as a “red coat,” due to the cardinal red sport jackets they wore.
“Campus and community involvement was something in which I pursued from the onset of my college journey,” Hoey said. “Being involved in numerous organizations at NIU exposed me to a diverse group of fellow students, faculty, university administration and alumni.”
Hoey was deeply influenced by Douglas Hall Director James Brunson; David Schumaun, his supervisor at the Holmes Student Center; the late communications professors Art Doederlein and Charlie Larson; and NIU’s eighth president, William Monat.
“James Brunson’s combination of discipline, tolerance and affability resonated with students like me who were navigating their academics, organizational involvement and social pursuits during our early years in college,” Hoey said. “Dave Schumaun helped me hone my work ethic and responsibility. Drs. Doederlein and Larson challenged us to expand our intellect by exploring knowledge and experiences beyond our textbooks and the classroom.”
Hoey’s involvement in student government and his job at the Holmes Student Center provided the opportunity to engage with university leadership more frequently than most students.
“President Monat knew me by name. He usually asked how my classes were going, and advised me on striking a balance between school, work and extracurricular activities,” Hoey said. “Bill was a great, respected leader who cared deeply about NIU students and the local community, much like our current president, Lisa Freeman.”
Throughout his NIU years, Hoey encouraged students to get involved, explore and volunteer—believing that embracing campus life would reward them as it had rewarded him.
Upholding the values of Huskie pride, he remains faithfully rooted in every place he has served, nurturing growth and staying connected.