April 20, 2010

Fighting Illini sports fans will have plenty to choose from this weekend during the Annual Spring Sports Festival. Admission and parking to all events this weekend is free. On Saturday, fans attending the merchandise sale and Orange & Blue Spring Football Game should plan on parking in Lot 32 and Assembly Hall parking lots.

Men's tennis opens serve at 3 pm, Friday by hosting Michigan at the Kahn Outdoor Tennis Complex in a key Big Ten matchup.

On Saturday, Fighting Illini fans can stock up on Illini merchandise at discounted prices at the annual Merchandise Sale in the Great East Hall of Memorial Stadium. Fans arriving before Noon, should enter the sale through Gate 17 on the center of the east side of Memorial Stadium. Fans attending the game will have access to the sale through all open gates on the east side.

The dedication of the Martin Softball Complex is scheduled for 10 am and is open to the public.

Football fans can then watch a preview of Ron Zook's 2010 squad during the Orange & Blue Spring Game beginning at 1 pm at Memorial Stadium. General Public will sit on the east side of Memorial Stadium and should enter through Gates 17, 19 or 21. Fans who are sitting the Premium Seating Areas should enter through Gates 16 and 18. The media entrance is through Gate 10. All drinks sold at Memorial Stadium on Saturday will be just $1. Inflatable games will be located from Noon-3 pm on the field level at the south end of Memorial Stadium for all youth in attendance.

After the football scrimmage, fans can catch the nationally ranked Illini softball team host Wisconsin at 3 pm at Eichelberger Field at Martin Softball Complex. Fans can participate in the World's Largest Softball Tailgate that will be going on all day in the parking lots surrounding the complex.

And, on Sunday, the men's tennis team hosts Michigan State at Noon at the Kahn Outdoor Tennis Complex, and the softball team hosts Wisconsin at 1 pm.

2010 Illinois Spring Sports Festival - April 23-35

Friday, April 23
3 p.m. - Men's Tennis vs. Michigan - Kahn Outdoor Tennis Complex

Saturday, April 24
9 a.m.-3 p.m. - DIA Spring Merchandise Sale - Memorial Stadium Great East Hall
10 a.m. - Martin Softball Complex dedication - Martin Softball Complex
Noon - Soccer vs. Marquette - Illinois Soccer Stadium
1 p.m. - Football Spring Game - Memorial Stadium
3 p.m. - Softball vs. Wisconsin (World's Largest Softball Tailgate) - Eichelberger Field at Martin Softball Complex
5:30 p.m. - Soccer vs. Milwaukee - Illinois Soccer Stadium

Sunday, April 25
Noon - Men's Tennis vs. Michigan State - Kahn Outdoor Tennis Complex
1 p.m. - Softball vs. Wisconsin - Eichelberger Field at Martin Softball Complex