Hometown Heroes Kids Club Launched
September 8, 2000 | General
Sept. 8, 2000
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to announce the formation of the "Hometown Heroes Kids Club," the official Fighting Illini Fan Club for kids. Illinois will hold a registration drive to launch the club during the Street Fest celebration held just prior to Illinois' Sept. 16 football game against California. The membership drive will take place near the corner of First and Kirby at the Street Fest entrance.
"This community, and the schools in particular, have been so enthusiastic in the past when we have sent our teams and student-athletes into the community that it has prompted us to look for a way to help kids in central Illinois get more involved in Illinois athletics. We think the Hometown Heroes Kids Club is a perfect way to make that happen,' Illinois Associate Director of Athletics Kelly Landry said. "This club will allow kids the opportunity to become closely associated with the teams and student-athletes they look up to, while also paving the way for the DIA and its student-athletes to continue to give back to the community and hopefully serve as successful role models, which is something we feel strongly about.'
Membership in the Hometown Heroes Kids Club, available to kids eighth grade and under, costs $25 per year and runs from September 1 to August 31 of each year. Kids Club members will receive an official Hometown Heroes Kids Club t-shirt, an official Hometown Heroes Kids Club membership card, a coupon for a free McDonald's "Hometown Heroes' meal, free admission to Illinois baseball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, wrestling and volleyball home events, as well as admission to select football and men's and women's basketball home events.
Additional benefits include invitations to special events, including a Hometown Heroes Kids Club Member's Only party, semiannual Hometown Heroes Kids Club newsletters and the opportunity to serve as a ball kid at various Illinois home events.
"I think it's a great idea to form a fan club for kids who follow Illinois athletics,' Illinois senior baseball player Tom Trayser said. "I've been involved in programs the DIA has held for grade school kids throughout my career and through that I've realized how much kids in this community look up to Illinois student-athletes. Realizing that we're role models to many, this fan club is a great way to reach kids to both let them get more involved in the sports they enjoy, but to also learn from us about the importance of combining academics and athletics.'
For information on the Hometown Heroes Kids Club or to request a membership form, call (217) 333-2687 or visit www.fightingillini.com.
