ISU stadium to be re-named for Hartem Alumnus Rudy Klokkenga

[October 08, 2021] 

It’s going to be a special afternoon Friday at Marian Kneer Stadium, as the press box will officially be dedicated in honor of Illinois State Athletics Hall of Famer Rudy Klokkenga prior to the Redbirds’ fall exhibition against Illinois-Springfield. The dedication with Klokkenga and special guests in attendance will take place at approximately 3:45 p.m., prior to the scheduled first pitch at 4 p.m.

“We are excited to officially dedicate the Marian Kneer Stadium press box for Rudy on Friday,” Illinois State Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. “Rudy spent countless hours at the stadium and around our softball program to make sure our coaches and student-athletes had a first-rate experience. His passion for our program, the sport of softball and entire community is immeasurable, and this is a token of our tremendous thanks and gratitude for his efforts.”

A 2015 ISU Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame inductee, Klokkenga has been a fixture around the Illinois State softball program for over a decade, and the Bloomington-Normal community for over 30 years. In his duties as the public address announcer for Redbird softball, Klokkenga saw the Redbirds win multiple championships and served as the voice of the 2007 Missouri Valley Conference Softball Championship hosted at Marian Kneer Stadium. Due to his dedication and generosity to Redbird softball, the Illinois State Board of Trustees approved the naming of the press box at the stadium in his honor.

“We are beyond grateful and appreciative of Rudy Klokkenga and what he means to Redbird Softball and fastpitch softball in our community,” ISU softball head coach Melinda Fischer said. “His kindness and generosity will forever hold a place in our hearts. I am very honored and excited for this day for Rudy, his family, and friends. Rudy we all thank you, thank you, thank you.”

In addition to his work with the Redbirds, Klokkenga has volunteered his time at various IHSA and IESA softball tournaments held in Bloomington-Normal and has served on the board of the Bloomington Hearts for over 30 years. He has also been instrumental in the community hosting several Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournaments, which earned him the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission.

In 2014, he was inducted into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame and was named a distinguished alumnus by Hartsburg-Emden High School in 2007. In times when he was not volunteering at softball events, Klokkenga worked for State Farm Insurance in Bloomington for over 34 years and was presented with the Spirit of State Farm Award in 2000, for his devotion to the company and the community.

[Michael Williams]