The 1950 Illinois State football team and the 1950 Illinois State mens tennis team, both of which captured conference championships, will hold 50th-year reunions this Friday and Saturday as part of ISUs Varsity I Weekend.
The teams will participate in a 7 p.m., banquet Friday at the Bone Student Center and will be introduced at Saturdays ISU/Prairie View Football Game between the first and second quarter.
The football team is one of the most revered in school history. The 1950 club went 7-0-2 and won the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and a berth in the Corn Bowl at Illinois Wesleyans Stadium in Bloomington.
The 21-20 win over Western Illinois that season is considered one of classic games ever played by an ISU team. The Redbirds scored the winning points in the last two minutes of that homecoming game.
Thirteen members of the 1950 team will be on hand. They will be introduced to the current football team and tour the Kaufman Football Building at 3:30 p.m., Friday.
All five members of the tennis team will be back, including Russell Steele, the teams coach, who still resides in Normal.
Current mens tennis coach Greg Kennett is flying back to Normal from regional competition with his team to host a breakfast for the 1950 team, Saturday morning.
The Varsity I Weekend kicks off with a luncheon and golf at Friday at 11:30 a.m., at Ironwood Golf Course. On Saturday, the activities include a tailgate party prior to the football game and the Evening With The Redbirds dinner and auction at Redbird Arena.
