NORMAL, Ill. – Coming off a Missouri Valley Football Conference championship and a FCS national runner-up finish, the excitement surrounding the Illinois State football team is at an all-time high and fans will have an opportunity to see the new-look Redbirds at the annual Spring Showcase, April 25, at Hancock Stadium.
The day's activities will begin with the seventh-annual Kids Football Fest on the playing field at Hancock Stadium, weather permitting. The event is free and open to all Reggie's Kids Club members ages 12 and under with adult supervision. Registration opens at 9:45 a.m., with the program starting at 10:30 a.m., running until noon. Parents of Kids Club members should RSVP for their child/children by contacting Andrew Evans at (309) 438-3399 or aevans2@ilstu.edu.
Head football coach Brock Spack will be in attendance to talk with all the participants and offer some words of advice on the importance of staying active and playing sports. Activities include a catching station with the Redbird quarterbacks, a field goal station with the Redbird kickers, throwing accuracy, tackling stations and an obstacle course. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to dress up like a Redbird football player and get their picture taken with the ISU cheerleaders and Reggie Redbird.
Fans can then attend the Redbird Barbecue, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grass berm at the north end of Hancock Stadium. For $6, a lunch of a hot dog or hamburger, side dish, chips, cookie and a drink will be served prior to the start of the annual Spring Showcase at 1 p.m.
The Spring Showcase is the culmination of a 15-session spring workout period for the Redbirds. The event is free to the public and will be broadcast live on WJBC AM 1230 at 12:30 p.m., with Dick Luedke and Ted Schmitz on the call, and Craig Bertsche checking in with sideline interviews. Throughout the event, fans will have the chance to hear about offseason workouts and newcomers who have made an impact during spring workouts, and also hear from Spack, who will join the broadcast and share his thoughts on the spring.
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