Chambana Sun

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema, along with his family and the Illinois football team, has launched the second annual FamILLy First Backpack and School Supply Drive. The initiative is taking place in conjunction with FamILLy Movie Night at Memorial Stadium.

Coach Bielema and his wife, Jen, started the drive by donating 150 backpacks to schools in Champaign-Urbana. “Jen and I are excited to continue our backpack and school supply drive for a second year,” said Bielema. “After last season's successful drive, we are looking forward to again support the Champaign-Urbana schools and community, alongside Fighting Illini fans at FamILLy Movie Night at Memorial Stadium. We can't wait to see all the kids in Memorial Stadium again this fall.”

Fans attending FamILLy Movie Night on Saturday, August 9 can participate by donating school supplies. For each donation made (up to two per family for the first 250 donations), fans will receive a free bucket of popcorn during the movie screening of Remember the Titans on the stadium videoboard. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. CT with an autograph session featuring Illinois football players.

All donated supplies will be delivered to local schools together with those provided by the Bielema family.

Additionally, area teachers are being offered free tickets to Illinois’ game against Western Michigan on September 13 as part of the College Football Playoff’s Extra Yard for Teachers campaign. School administrators interested in learning more can contact Josh Joines at jjoines2@illinois.edu or call 217-244-9470.

A school supply donation during FamILLy Movie Night also enters fans into a raffle for four free tickets to Illinois’ FamILLy Day game against Western Michigan. The winner will be drawn before the start of the movie.

The Fighting Illini open their 2025 season against Western Illinois on Friday, August 29 at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Peacock.