Vision

The Fighting Illini Fan Council provides fans a platform to help shape the future of University of Illinois athletics.

Purpose

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will provide information and insight on the inner-workings of the Illinois Athletics Department to educate Fan Council, and in doing so allow Fan Council to be ambassadors for the objectives of the DIA.

The Fan Council will assist in specific challenges within the Division of Intercollegiate to create real initiatives and action items the DIA will then execute to improve the Illinois Athletics Department and game day experience.

About the Fan Council

The Fan Council is comprised of a diverse group of fans representing various age groups, geographic locations, gender, and racial backgrounds. The group is made up of, but not exclusively limited to, ticket holders, alumni and donors.

Serving on the Fighting Illini Fan Council is your chance to be a part of a select group of important decision makers while enjoying the unique benefits and recognition that come with being a part of the group. The commitment is three (3) in-person meetings a year held at the University of Illinois. Additionally, fan council meetings will be held during off months via Zoom. These meetings are a fun way for members to share their opinions and perspectives, and develop recommendations in a focused, small group setting.

Fan Council members will hear from DIA coaches and administrators throughout the year to help provide critical information needed to help make fan-centered decisions. 

Fan Council Members

Class of 2021-22: Brian Radzevich, Elmhurst.

Class of 2022-23: Brianna Anderson, St. Louis; Alex Crump, Sterling; Babs Erickson, Rockford; Larry Glover-Meade, Champaign; Joe Molinare, Tinley Park; Evan Neilson, Bartlett; Chad Skarpiak, Chicago; Joanna Skelding, Champaign; Russ Tomes, Glenview

Class of 2023-24: Mohammed Ahmed, Elk Grove Village; Zain Bando, Downers Grove; Jacob Brown, Brimfield; Lavansh Choudhary, Urbana; Mark Coyne, New Berlin, WI; Marla Deem, Urbana; Drew Dierkes, Woodridge; Richard Hazelwood, Champaign; Todd Johnson, Mahomet; Angeline Jones, Urbana; Doug Lee, Dixon; Jay Mitchell, North Aurora; Mason Schoolcraft, Lake Forest; Bret Solberger, Glen Carbon; Erin Spyrka, Louisville, KY.

Class of 2024-25: To be announced

Previous Members

Class of 2020-21: Bryan Boccelli, Chicago; Scott Mortensen, St. Charles; Anton Purkart, Geneva.

Class of 2019-20: Kari Benning, Streator; David Bergdahl, Manteno; Quinten Breach, Normal; Craig Brown, Northfield; Jill Brown, Chicago; Valerie Burkhart, Champaign; Jackelyn Cadard, Naperville; George Daumen, Palatine; Cheryl Easter, Mahomet; Chris Glazik, Danville; Owen Harrell, Sterling; Paul Hoffman, Champaign; Terri Lane, Western Springs; Evan Lorenz, Urbana; SuEllen Mackey, Moweaqua; Michael Martin, Champaign; Jana Mitchell, Newburgh (IN); Charles Mockbee IV, Danville; Tim O'Donnell, Atlanta; Al Pacer, Chicago; Kelli Parsons, Kewanee; Lisa Paul, Geneva; Karen Reifsteck, Mahomet; Jack Rich, Bloomington; Todd Salen, Champaign; Kimberly Saveley, Champaign; Nick Schneider, Mahomet; Chad Starwalt, Highland; Jeff Starwalt, Savoy; Jason Szumski, Winfield; Hannah Taylor, Laurel (MD); Timothy Thor, Orion; Jim Vainisi, St. Charles; Michael Waldbusser, Downers Grove; Rich Wherley, Secor; Ray Zinnen, Springfield. 

Class of 2018-19: David Alessia, Aurora; Kody Alexander, Hanover Park; Brian Ames, Champaign; Ben Benning, Streator; Aaron Biggs, Deerfield; Tim Brown, Savoy; Joel Carter, Moline; Paul Ceneac, Des Plaines; Dave Clark, Charleston; Jeanette Clark, Charleston; Jason DaPisa, Chicago; Jim Fessler, Brookfield; Harry Frost, Paris; Jeff Gaster, Tinley Park; Kurt Hansen, Chicago; Rachael Haynes, Springfield; Matthew Heinlen, Oak Lawn; John Henderson, Champaign; Ben Jackels, Glen Carbon; Frank Jarvis, Mattoon; Lisa Jarvis, Mattoon; Shaun Jurczewski, St. Charles; Raj Kamaria, Skokie; Christopher Kerback, Woodridge; Ryan Kirby, St. Louis; Chad Kirkenmeier, Bolingbrook; Tom Kolak, Mascoutah; Steve Konrad, Itasca; Roger Krabbe, Litchfield; Chad Lomax, Collinsville; Wes Maher, Northbrook; Adam Massie, Chicago; Debbie McCall, Thomasboro; Brad Melcher, Palatine; Andrew Musur, Western Springs; Ann Pastrovich, Springfield; Amy Pilcher, White Heath; David Prosperi, Northbrook; Susan Quinlan, Rantoul; Patrick Quinn, Ballwin (MO); Brandon Radford, Jacksonville; Mike Raycraft, Bloomington; Donna Schaal, Rantoul; Phil Schaefer, Moline; Jared Schonert, Fairmount; Marcus Sellers, Urbana; David Shier, Tuscola; Aaron Smith, Mahomet; Nick Spano, Frankfort; David Stein, Palatine; Gary Stott, Lake Zurich; Hilary Walheim, Bloomington; James Wayne, Normal; Brandon Wildman, Monticello; Jacob Wilson, Champaign; Anne Wolfe, Urbana; Tyler Wurm, Rock City; Doug Yoder, Champaign; Jacoub Youakim, Mt. Prospect; Martha Zimmerman, Harvel.

*Bold represents members that served a four-year term (2018-22)

Requirements

• Attend three in-person meetings on the University of Illinois campus each year (Fall, Winter, Spring)
• Attend remote meetings
• Serve a term of four years

To apply

Applications have closed for the 2024-25 Fan Council. They will reopen in April 2025 for the next class. 

Questions or Suggestions for the Fan Council?
Submit your questions and suggestions to arner@illinois.edu.