2015 Promotions Schedule | Birthday Party Sign-Up | Kid Captain Sign-Up

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) announced a full slate of marketing promotions for all 23 home games at Illinois Field in 2015. The seventh-annual Bleacher Bum Barbecue (April 17), Honor and Serve Day (May 10) and Kid Captain and birthday party opportunities at every game highlight the list of Fighting Illini baseball promotions.

The seventh-annual Bleacher Bum Barbecue, the premier promotion for Fighting Illini baseball, will be held Friday, April 17, when Illinois hosts Indiana at 6 p.m. at Illinois Field. The event has been a staple on the Illini schedule, as the previous six editions have drawn average crowds over 3,000 to Illinois Field, including an all-time high of 5,214 in 2009. This year's event will feature free BBQ for the first 500 people, courtesy of Hickory River, along with interactive activities. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

For the fourth year in a row, the Illini will wear special commemorative jerseys as part of Honor and Serve Day at Illinois Field. The event, which is designed to honor University of Illinois student veterans and all of America's military heroes along with serving the Champaign-Urbana community, will be held on Sunday, May 10, when Illinois hosts Rutgers at 11 a.m. Full details and this year's commemorative jerseys will be unveiled next month.

Other exciting promotions to put on the calendar include:

• Ferris Bueller Day (March 25)
• Mom's Day and National Student-Athlete Day (April 11)
• Kids Club Day (April 12)
• Inclusive Illinois Day (April 17)
• Country Day (April 19)
• As-Seen-On-TV-Night (May 8)
• Super Hero Day (May 9)
• Spring Cleaning Day (May 15)
• Senior Day (May 16)

The following concession deals also will be offered throughout the season:

• Thirsty Tuesday (half-priced sodas at every Tuesday game)
• Family Fridays (hot dog, chips and a drink for $6 at every Friday game)
• Sunday Deal ($2 nachos at every Sunday game)

Baseball cards will be given away at the four Big Ten series, and select players will sign autographs after every Friday home games. Complete details on each event can be found on the Illinois Marketing and Promotions Schedule.

Kids are able to celebrate their birthday at any home game this season. The party deal includes:

• Personalized cupcakes
• Hot dogs
• Sodas
• Popcorn
• Illinois pennants
• Birthday card signed by the team
• Birthday message announced at the game

Members of the Fighting Illini Kids Club also can enter to be a Kid Captain at a home game. Each Kid Captain will have an exclusive experience:

• Warm up on the field before the game
• Get announced with the starting lineup
• Stand with the team during the National Anthem
• Serving as the Kid Announcer in the fifth inning

The DIA also announced parking changes to begin the year. The grass parking lots surrounding Illinois Field will be closed for the start of the 2015 season due to effects of the winter weather. Fans attending games at Illinois Field should park in either the Northeast State Farm Center quadrant or the parking lot at the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building (weekend only) with entrance off Fourth Street.