Be a part of the 'Redbird Road Trip' -- 'Birds to be in Lincoln Monday

[May 05, 2012]  NORMAL -- Illinois State head coaches and staff have their vehicles gassed up and ready to go, as the athletics department will embark on a "Redbird Road Trip" around the state during May and June. The venues have been selected and the dates are picked. Now all that's left are the people to see -- and that's where you come in.

The Redbird Road Trip will begin in Illinois State's backyard. On May 1, Illinois State Athletics will host a public event at Times Past Inn in Bloomington from 4:30 to 6 p.m., prior to the annual Bass-Hornberger Classic baseball game between Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan. The event will include free appetizers and a cash bar.

On May 7, the Redbird Road Trip will stop at the Elks Lodge in Lincoln. Two days later, May 9, the Redbirds will be at the Elks Lodge in Pontiac. Both the Lincoln and Pontiac events will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and are free to the public. Each will include complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

Follow ISU Athletics on either Facebook or Twitter to find out which head coaches and staff will be at each of the events. WJBC, the radio flagship for ISU sports, will also be a part of the events in Bloomington, Lincoln and Pontiac, with a live remote from each location.

The Redbird Road Trip will continue to Rockford on May 30, as head football coach and Rockford native Brock Spack returns to his old stomping grounds as part of an ISU alumni event. The reception will be at the Olympic Tavern from 5-7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and includes substantial hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets.

ISU sports will be part of the ISU alumni event at the Peoria Chiefs game at O'Brien Field on June 16. The event fee is $34 for adults, which includes a game ticket and barbecue, and $25 for children age 3-10. Children 2 and under are admitted free.

On June 24 and 25, the Redbird Road Trip will conclude in Chicago at two ISU alumni events surrounding White Sox and Cubs baseball games. Head coaches and staff will be a part of those two events, along with Reggie Redbird.

The June 24 event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at Bacardi at the Park, adjacent to U.S. Cellular Stadium, prior to the White Sox game against Milwaukee. The cost is $37 per person, which includes a lower box reserved game ticket, substantial hors d'oeuvres and nonalcoholic beverages.

The following night there will be a 5 p.m. reception at the Goose Island Brewery near Wrigley Field. The cost at this event is $39 and includes the game ticket, appetizers and nonalcoholic drinks.

To reserve a spot at the Rockford, Peoria or Chicago events, call the alumni relations office at ISU, 309-438-3204.

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]