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Former Illini Star Roger Powell Jr. to Give Motivational Speech

May 5, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1) - Peoria Chiefs News Release


PEORIA, IL- The Peoria Chiefs have announced that Reverend Roger Powell Jr., a member of the 2005 University of Illinois National finalist basketball team, will be giving a pre-game motivational speech on May 24 when the Chiefs take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at 6:30 pm. Powell will be speaking at approximately 5:15 pm, and gates will open at 4:30 pm. The night will also feature the first post-game fireworks show of the season.

Powell, nicknamed the Rev by his University of Illinois teammates, became an ordained minister in 2004. In an act to strengthen and encourage spirituality in today's youth, Powell founded RPJ Ministries, a non-profit organization under the umbrella of National Heritage Foundation. The basketball camps of RPJ Ministries are dedicated to preparing high school players to being bold witnesses when they enter college. Donations made to RPJ Ministries are used to provide Christian basketball camps with outreaches, concerts, and the distribution of spiritual gifts such as bibles and CDs.

"Everyone with the Chiefs is excited to bring in someone with such a genuinely good mission," said Joe Wagoner, Vice President of Sales. "Being able to combine our baseball game with a popular local athlete who is also a great role model and willing to share his message with our fans is what this business is all about. The University of Illinois has a strong faith-based program, and extending that to O'Brien Field gives fans even more of a reason to head out to the ballpark."

With the Illini, Powell was 26th on the career scoring list with 1,178 points and fifth in field goal percentage at 57.2. In his 2004-05 senior year, Powell averaged 12 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He was named an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team.

Powell played with the CBA from 2005-06 when he was drafted by the Rockford Lightning. The CBA named him Rookie of the Year, which was voted on by eight CBA head coaches.

He was a member of the Utah Jazz for the 2006-07 NBA season, and he grabbed three rebounds and scored his first points with a pair of free throws against Phoenix on November 18, 2006. Powell was then moved to the Arkansas Rimrockers of the NBDL in January of 2007, and following their season, he played in a summer league with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Last April, Powell was a recipient of the NBA Development League 2006-07 Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award for Conduct and Character on court. Averaging 22 points per game, he was also named a 2007 honorable mention All D-League Selection.

Powell is playing in Italy in 2007-08 for Siviglia Wear in Teramo, Italy. As of April 27, he is averaging 13 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 56 and a 73% free throw average. On March 15 he set two season-highs, scoring 33 points and grabbing 13 rebounds against Angelico Biella.

Tickets for the May 24 game against Wisconsin, along with all remaining O'Brien Field home games are available at www.peoriachiefs.com, by calling 1-866-MY TICKET or at the O'Brien Field Box Office. The entire Chiefs home game schedule and promotional calendar are available online at www.peoriachiefs.com.


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