Drake Leeper Assistant Director of Personnel | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Drake Leeper Assistant Director of Personnel | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The upcoming Fighting Illini football game against Minnesota will feature both Dads Day and Military Appreciation Day. Scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at Memorial Stadium, tickets are available on the official website, FightingIllini.com.
The event continues the Illinois tradition of the Dads Association, which started in 1920. It aims to honor the fathers of all Fighting Illini players and recognize servicemen and women for their contributions.
Several events are planned around Memorial Stadium for Saturday:
- **Illini Walk Rappelling:** An Army cadet will rappel from the Memorial Stadium colonnades to deliver a game ball at 8:30 a.m. CT.
- **Illini Walk:** Scheduled for 8:40 a.m. CT, where players will be joined by their fathers through Grange Grove.
- **Pregame Military Tailgate:** Hosted by Chez Veterans Center staff in Grange Grove with a VR gaming setup available for fans.
- **Coin Toss:** A special coin presented by three military branch members will be used.
- **Army Swearing In:** An on-field ceremony during the first timeout of the first quarter.
- **Napleton's Veteran of the Game:** Army Brigadier General Maurice (Moe) Barnett will be recognized and present scholarships to cadets.
- **King Dad:** A "King Dad" will be crowned during halftime.
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