CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Spring has begun at the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Athletics is inviting fans to celebrate this weekend at the Spring Sports Fest.
Kicking off Thursday night with the Orange and Blue Spring Game at Memorial Stadium, the Spring Sports Fest will feature seven Fighting Illini programs hosting 13 events over four days.
All events are free and open to the public, with many great promotions on tap including senior day celebrations, giveaways, live music, and special concessions.
The full schedule is below:
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day | Time (CT) | SPORT | location | opposite | Promotions |
Thursday | 7:30 PM | Football | Memorial Stadium | Spring Play | Grange Grove is open for tailgating at 12 PM Field Goal Kicking is open to all Grange Grove fans |
Friday | 11:30 AM | Women Track and Field |
Demirjian Park | Gary Wieneke Memorial | |
11:30 AM | Men Track and Field |
Demirjian Park | Gary Wieneke Memorial | ||
5 PM | Softball | Eichelberger Field is a mountain in the United States | State of Michigan | Pink Game Giveaway: Pink hat, ribbon, and Strikeout Cancer wristbands |
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6 PM | Baseball | Field in Illinois | Minnesota | ||
Saturday | 7:30 AM | Men’s Golf | Atkins Golf Club | Wrestled at Illini Spring Collegiate | |
11 AM | Women Track and Field |
Demirjian Park | Gary Wieneke Memorial | Senior Day Live band from 1-5PM |
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11 AM | Men Track and Field |
Demirjian Park | Gary Wieneke Memorial | Senior Day Live band from 1-5PM |
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11 AM | Women’s Tennis | Atkins Tennis Center | Nebraska | Bark in the Park Tennis balls, treats and water available for any dogs in attendance |
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3 PM | Baseball | Field in Illinois | Minnesota | Little League Youth Day Gear for Good: Free t-shirts for anyone who donates baseball equipment |
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5 PM | Softball | Eichelberger Field is a mountain in the United States | State of Michigan | Teal Game Giveaway: teal ribbons, Strikeout Cancer bracelets |
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Sunday | 8 A.M | Men’s Golf | Atkins Golf Club | Wrestled at Illini Spring Collegiate | |
12 PM | Women’s Tennis | Atkins Tennis Center | Iowa | Senior Day | |
12 PM | Softball | Eichelberger Field is a mountain in the United States | State of Michigan | Support Your Color Game Giveaway: ribbons, Strikeout Cancer wristbands Run the bases after the game! |
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1 PM | Baseball | Field in Illinois | Minnesota | Country Day $1 hotdogs |
Battle of Illini Sport Reunions Scheduled for Spring Sports Festival Weekend
Varsity I also hosted two big reunions this week in conjunction with the Spring Sports Festival.
FOOTBALL
The Fighting Illini Football Reunion begins Thursday night before the Spring Football Game and includes several activities through Saturday. The highlight of the reunion weekend is the 2nd Annual Alumni Skills Competition which includes the longest throw, throwing accuracy, punting, snap accuracy, field goal kicking, vertical jump and the 225-pound bench rep.
Highlights from the 2022 Skills Competition can be found here: First Fighting Illini Football Skills Competition – 2022
Notable football alums expected to participate include Pierre Thomas, Kam Buckner, Terry Hawthorne, Isiah “Juice” Williams, Matt Sinclair, Justin Harrison, Justin Staples, Ty Washington, Cam Pepper, Jon Kerr and Derek Walker.
The weekend begins with an alumni meet and greet Thursday at 6 pm at FICE on the north end of Memorial Stadium, followed by the Spring Game at 7:30 pm. The group gathered again Friday night for the Varsity I “Welcome Back” at the Smith Center. Saturday’s activities include a team breakfast, viewing of the final football practice of the spring and an alumni skills competition.
TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY
Over 40 former Fighting Illini men’s and women’s Track & Field and Cross Country competitors have registered for their reunion weekend. Festivities begin Friday at Noon with the Gary Wieneke Memorial Meet at Demirjian Park where returning alums will be treated to a hospitality suite and reserved seating. Friday evening, the reunion moves to Pour Brothers, in Downtown Champaign, for the Track & Field Alumni Meet & Greet starting at 6:30 pm.
On Saturday, returning alums will be treated to a tour of Demirjian Park and the second day of the Wieneke Memorial Meet beginning at Noon. The group will gather again Saturday night at 6:30 pm in the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium for the Varsity I “Welcome Back” program that will include the first-year track and field head coach. Petros Kyprianou.
Alumni from both programs can still register for reunions by contacting Varsity I Director Kevin Mitchell at ktmitche@illinois.edu.