Attention: Orange Krush Grant Applications are due by Friday, August 22nd, 2008. If you are interested in applying please e-mail Myles Hastings at mhastin2@illinois.edu. Applications can be downloaded here:

Orange Krush Grant Application

Here is last year’s check presentation along with a list of donations

The Orange Krush is one of the most famous student sections in all of college sports! With unique cheers and incredible energy, Krush has made Assembly Hall one of the most intimidating places to play in the country, and year after year Krush provides Bruce Weber’s Fighting Illini a tremendous home court advantage.

This year, the team brings back some steady stars along with some exciting young talent. If last year’s Big Ten Tournament is any indication, the Illini look poised to improve upon a long tradition of Ilinois basketball excellence. Join the Orange Krush and you will have a chance to follow our talented team with the best seats in the Hall! As if standing five feet from the court weren’t enough, the excitement of being an Orange Krush member extends far beyond Assembly Hall with many additional benefits, such as the official Orange Krush T-shirt, pre-game tailgates, away game watch parties, our world-famous road trips to invade hostile Big Ten arenas, and much more!

As the Orange Krush, we protect our house and invade theirs!

During the 2007-08 season, the Orange Krush continued to live up to its reputation by executing two undercover road trips all the way north to take over Minnesota’s Williams Arena and Michigan’s Crisler Arena. Where will Krush go this season? You’ll have to join to find out!

How do I join the Orange Krush?

As the Orange Krush is a subgroup of Illini Pride, you cannot join without first becoming a member of Illini Pride. Because you have already taken this first step, you are that much closer to becoming a part of the Orange Krush!

Not only does the Orange Krush support Fighting Illini basketball, but is also a significant philanthropic organization and a key part of the campus and the Champaign – Ubana community contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the university and a number of charitable organizations each year. Therefore, all students interested in joining Krush must participate in the Orange Krush 3-point program, which raises money for local charities. In the past 10 seasons, the Orange Krush has raised and donated nearly 1.5 million dollars!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

To join the Orange Krush, members must raise money by soliciting pledges from the community. Students may ask people to pledge money per 3-point shot the basketball team scores in the upcoming 2007-2008 season, or ask for straight up donations. The amount of money raised determines the Krush level. Varsity members need to raise $1.50/3-pt shot (however, freshman only need to raise $1.00/3-pt shot). If you raise $3.00/3-pt shot, you become a member of the All American team and receive greater benefits.

For example: Joe Smith pledges you $0.10 / 3-pt shot. Record Joe’s information on the pledge sheet (found at www.illinipride.com), and turn in the information at the deadline. If the Illini make 233 three-pointers during the upcoming season, Joe Smith will be billed $23.30 at the end of the season. As a freshman, you would only need 9 more people to donate $0.10 / 3-pt shot in order to become a member of the Orange Krush.

After the season, the Orange Krush Foundation will take care of sending you and the rest of your donors a bill depending on how many 3-pointers the Illini make during the season.

**It does not matter how many donors you have. In the example above, you could have 9 more people donate $0.10 / 3-point shot or just have one more donor donate $0.90 / 3-point shot to have a total of $1.00 / 3-point shot (varsity member for freshman/transfer students).

**Donors can make a flat donation instead of a pledge. Every $25 cash donation you receive is considered a $0.10 pledge. So if you received a $50 cash donation, which would be equal to $0.20 pledge. We ask that all cash donations less than $25 to be collected in and advance and be ready to be turned in on by the deadlines listed below. You can reach your desired pledge level in any combination of pledges or flat donations.
Raising Pledges
Tips for raising pledges:

Ask family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers
Approach local corporations and businesses
Ask ANYONE affiliated with the U of I (ESPECIALLY alumni)
START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!
Do NOT give false pledges, or pledges you do not expect to pay. This will eliminate your chance of being in Orange Krush again!!

Pledge information will be turned in on our online website during the week of September 22. This website will only be made available the week of registration. Pay attention to Illini Pride Emails and the website for announcements closer to this date!

Orange Krush 2008-2009 Registration will take place Sept. 18-22!

All-American: Sept. 18-22
Varsity September: Sept. 18 -22
Scout September: Sept. 18-22

Orange Krush Membership Benefits

All-American team member
$3 DONOR (per 3-pt shot)
FREE ORANGE KRUSH Basketball Season Ticket •
1st Priority Missouri Game Tickets (free based on availability)
1st Priority United Center Game Tickets (free based on availability)
Reception with team and/or coaching staff
1st priority for NCAA tournament tickets (must purchase/ based on availability
Guaranteed floor seating for at least 1 home game (must arrive 1 hr before tip-off
1st priority floor seating for every home game (must arrive no later than 60 min before tip-off)

Varsity Team Member
$1.50 DONOR (per 3-pt shot) & $1 DONOR (for freshman/ transfer students)
FREE ORANGE KRUSH Basketball Season Ticket
2nd Priority Seating for Missouri & United Center Games (must purchase/ based • on availability)
2nd Priority for NCAA tournament tickets (must purchase/ based on availability)
Guaranteed floor seating for at least 1 home game (must arrive 1 hr before tip-off)
2nd priority floor seating for every home game

Scout Team Member
Less than $1.50 DONOR (per 3-pt shot) & (Less than $1 for freshman/transfer students)
Opportunity to PURCHASE any remaining ORANGE KRUSH Season Tickets
3rd Priority Seating for Missouri & United Center Games (must purchase/ based on availability)
3rd Priority for NCAA tournament tickets (must purchase/ based on availability
Guaranteed floor seating for at least 1 home game (assuming purchase of ORANGE KRUSH season ticket and arrival 1 hr before tip-off)

**Break game tickets WON’T be distributed based on money raised (more info during season)

Coach’s circle
In addition to the benefits you receive according to your donor level (All-American, Varsity, or Scout), the top ten Orange Krush members who raise the most money will also be rewarded with the following prizes:
First Prize - All inclusive road trip with the team to a Big Ten conference game
Second Prize - Basketball signed by Coach Weber and a chance to be an Honorary • Coach
Third Prize - Illinois Basketball Jersey
Runners Up (10) - 8 x 10 team photo signed by player/coach of choice

Orange Krush Foundation

Over the past 10 years, the Orange Krush Foundation has raised and donated nearly 1.5 million dollars to charitable organizations (funds raised during the 2007-2008 season will be distributed in Fall 2008).

Founded in 1998, the Orange Krush Foundation is a University of Illinois student-run charitable foundation intent on improving the quality of life for the Champaign-Urbana and campus communities by providing financial support and contributing service to area not-for-profit organizations.
Proceeds raised by the Orange Krush Foundation 3-point program are allocated according to the following formula: 50% University Scholarship Endowment, 50% Local Charities.

Last fall, the Foundation completed both the Rod Cardinal Sports Medicine Fund at a grand total of $300,000 and helped to complete the Louis and Dawn M. Weber Student Manager Enhancement Fund with presentation of $120,000. Presently, the Orange Krush Foundation Board is in negotiations with the Illinois Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to discuss a new endowment for the upcoming season in order to provide further financial perpetuity to the Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball program.

Hey Illini Pride!!  The upcoming 08-09 school year will make a special mark in Illini Pride history with its introduction of philanthropy to the organization.  Having boasted over 3,300 members last year, think of the difference we can make and all the good we can do!  Throughout the year we will have various philanthropic events that you can choose to take part in.. they’ll be a great way to meet new people and gain volunteer experience!  We’re really excited for this new addition to our organization and hope that you all are too!

Our first event of the school year is the “I Bleed Orange and Blue Blood Drive” with The American Red Cross Association.  The blood drive is on August 29th, the first Friday of classes. Sign ups for donor appointments will be held on quad day and after the fall kick off meeting.  There will be FREE TSHIRTS and SNACKS for donors!

WHAT: I Bleed Orange and Blue Blood Drive with the American Red Cross Association
WHEN: August 29th, NOON-4PM
WHERE: The University YMCA

If you are interested in applying for a 2008 Grant from the Orange Krush Foundation, please download the application bellow and return it to the address provided!  If you have any questions, please contact the Orange Krush President, Eric Benz at ebenz2@uiuc.edu. 2008-grant-application.doc 

The Fighting Illini Softball team defeated instate rival, ISU Redbirds 16-8 this Wednesday. Star of the game, short stop Angelina Mexicano, tied the school single-season homerun record during the bottom of the 6^th inning, marking her 16^th homerun on the year. Mexicano went 3-5 with 4 RBIs and 5 runs scored. Also adding to the offensive domination was Armstrong, going 2-2 with 5 RBIs and 2 runs scored, Katrina Ross, and Sarah Breyers. Wednesday’s game tallied as the seventh straight game with at least one home run hit by the Illini. Sophomore pitcher Ashley Wright earned the win, giving up only 3 hits and allowing no runs in 2 2/3 innings of play. The Illini are now 24-23 on the season. The girls will return to Eichelberger field this weekend, hosting the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday at 6pm and Saturday at noon, and the Wisconsin Badgers Sunday at noon and 2pm.

Come out this weekend to continue collecting those points for FREE ¾ sleeved shirts and tshirts!!

The Illinois Women’s Tennis team upset #31 Ohio State Sunday with a score of 5-2 on the Buckeyes Senior Day. The ladies were able to win their second straight doubles point with wins from  courts 1 and 2 . The team then moved on singles to where they got quick wins from Momei Qu and Megan Fudge. The match was clinched by Junior Shivani Dave who was able to defeat her opponent 7-6, 7-6 in 3 sets. The ladies are currently ranked 58 nationally and are 5-3 in the Big Ten.

Come out this weekend, April 19th and 20th, to see the last few matches of the season. This is also the last time to get you sweet ACES t-shirt!! See you on court!

The Illinois Women’s Tennis team was on the road again this weekend as they traveled first to take on the Wolverines of Michigan and then on to Penn State and the Nittany Lions.  The the #22 ranked Wolverines were too much for the ladies as they lost 5-2. The two lone points came from big single victories by Shivani Dave and Kristina Minor.

Next, the team put up a big fight and it paid off as they defeated Penn State 4-3. The ladies were able to gain the doubles points with wins from court 2 consisting of Leigh Finnigan and Marissa Lambropoulos and court 3 with Kristina Minor and Annie McCarthy.

The ladies are now 4-2 in the Big Ten and 8-8 overall. The team will return home April 19th and 20th to celebrate their two seniors: Momei Qui and Alejandra Meza Cuadra. Be sure to come out to the last matches of the season!!

Illini Wrestling was very successful in post season competition. This years Big Ten tournament was held at Minnesota. Mike Poeta won a Big Ten Championship and seven other wrestlers qualified for the NCAA tournament. Jimmy Kennedy placed second, Gabe Flores placed third, and the team as a whole placed fourth. John Wise, Patrick Bond, John Dergo, and Roger Smith-Bergsrud all joined Poeta, Kennedy, and Flores in St. Louis for the NCAA tournament. The Illini were also successful at the NCAA tournament where Mike Poeta made it to the Championship match where he lost to Jordan Leen. Jimmy Kennedy finished fourth. Both Poeta and Kennedy became All-Americans. Gabe Flores and John Wise were both one win away from becoming All-Americans. The Illini will take some time off and then start off-season workouts and tournaments.

Hey Illini Aces,

This weekend the Women’s Tennis Team went 1-1 against Big Ten foes. The ladies came in to the weekend 2-0 in the conference with victories over Michigan State and Purdue. They got another victory under their belt when they defeated Wisconsin 6-1 on Saturday. The ladies swept all the singles points but unfortunately gave up the doubles point. On Sunday, the team took on #1 ranked Northwestern and lost 7-0. Make sure to come out April 19th and 20th to support the ladies one last time and to pick up your T-SHIRT!

The 2008 Season is looking to be very exciting and promising for the Womens Fighting Illini softball team. The team is returning their top 3 homerun hitters from last season- Lana Armstrong, Shanna Diller, and Angelina Mexicano. The freshman class has also been working very hard during fall ball and off season and will be key components to this Illini team. The ladies face an extremely competitive 2008 schedule, facing 8 teams that played in the ‘07 Super Regionals. Although Big 10 season doesnt start until March 30th, they face topnotch competition in the South Florida Tournament, Louisville Sluggers Desert Classic, and the Aggie Classic in Texas until then.