Jan. 23, 2012

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois baseball team and the Fighting Illini Dugout Club's annual Hot Stove Banquet has reached sellout status, head coach Dan Hartleb announced Monday. The event - which will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at the iHotel and Conference Center beginning with a cocktail hour at 3 p.m. - will feature two-time World Series champion and former St. Louis Cardinal David Eckstein as the keynote speaker.

"This shows the great community support that we have from local businesses and our loyal Illini baseball fans," Hartleb said. "We are so thankful for their dedication to our program and to making this a great event each year."

The Fighting Illini begin practice on Friday, Jan. 27, at 3:30 p.m., with the first game of the season on Friday, Feb. 17, when they take on Notre Dame at the fourth-annual Big Ten/Big East Challenge in St. Petersburg, Fla.