CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Spring has sprung at the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Athletics is inviting fans to celebrate this week at Spring Sports Fest.
Kicking off with a full slate on Friday, including Illini Football's open scrimmage at Memorial Stadium, Spring Sports Fest will feature seven Fighting Illini programs hosting 13 events over three days.
All events are free and open the public, with several great promotions on tap including senior day celebrations, giveaways, live music, and concessions specials.Â
A full schedule is available below:Â
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Fighting Illini Spring Sports Fest Schedule - ALL FREE ADMISSION
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| Day |
Time (CT) |
Sport |
Location |
Opponent |
Promotions |
| Friday |
11:30 AM |
Women's
Track & Field |
Demirjian Park |
Gary Wieneke Memorial |
|
|
11:30 AM |
Men's
Track & Field |
Demirjian Park |
Gary Wieneke Memorial |
|
|
3 PM |
Baseball |
Illinois Field |
Minnesota |
|
|
4 PM |
Softball |
Eichelberger Field |
Michigan State |
Pink Game
Giveaway:Â Pink hats, ribbons, and Strikeout Cancer wristbands |
|
7 PM |
Football |
Memorial Stadium |
Open Scrimmage |
|
| Saturday |
7:30 AM |
Men's Golf |
Atkins Golf Club |
Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate |
|
|
11 AM |
Women's
Track & Field |
Demirjian Park |
Gary Wieneke Memorial |
Senior Day
Live band from 1-5 PM |
|
11 AM |
Men's
Track & Field |
Demirjian Park |
Gary Wieneke Memorial |
Senior Day
Live band from 1-5 PM |
|
11 AM |
Women's Tennis |
Atkins Tennis Center |
Nebraska |
Bark in the Park
Tennis balls, treats and water available to any dogs in attendance |
|
3 PM |
Baseball |
Illinois Field |
Minnesota |
Little League Youth Day
Gear for Good: Free t-shirts for anyone that donates baseball equipment |
|
5 PM |
Softball |
Eichelberger Field |
Michigan State |
Teal Game
Giveaway: teal ribbons, Strikeout Cancer bracelets |
| Sunday |
8 AM |
Men's Golf |
Atkins Golf Club |
Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate |
|
|
12 PM |
Women's Tennis |
Atkins Tennis Center |
Iowa |
Senior Day |
|
12 PM |
Softball |
Eichelberger Field |
Michigan State |
Support Your Color Game
Giveaway: ribbons, Strikeout Cancer wristbands
Run the bases after the game! |
|
1 PM |
Baseball |
Illinois Field |
Minnesota |
Country Day
$1 hotdogs |
Fighting Illini Sport Reunions Scheduled for Spring Sports Festival Weekend
Varsity I is also hosting a major reunion this week in conjunction with the Spring Sports Festival.  Â
TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY
More than 40 former Fighting Illini men's and women's Track & Field and Cross Country competitors have registered for their reunion weekend. The festivities start Friday at Noon with the Gary Wieneke Memorial Meet at Demirjian Park where the returning alums will be treated to a hospitality suite and reserved seating. Friday evening, the reunion moves to Pour Brothers, in Downtown Champaign, for the Track & Field Alumni Meet & Greet starting at 6:30 pm.
On Saturday, the returning alums will be treated to a tour of Demirjian Park and the second day of the Wieneke Memorial Meet that begins at Noon. The group will gather again Saturday night at 6:30 pm in the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium for a Varsity I "Welcome Back" program that will include first-year track and field head coach Petros Kyprianou.
Alumni from the programs can still register for the reunions by contacting Varsity I Director Kevin Mitchell at ktmitche@illinois.edu.