MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Illini Night with Coach Groce on August 28

Published on July 18, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


PEORIA, IL- The Peoria Chiefs and the University of Illinois Athletic Department have announced Illini Night at Peoria Chiefs Stadium on Tuesday, August 28 with special guest John Groce. The new men's basketball coach will throw out a first pitch before the Chiefs host Cedar Rapids at 6:30 p.m. and then sign autographs on the concourse. Fans who wear orange to the game can get $6.00 at the Box Office ($1 off the regular price for each of the Illini's four Big Ten Championships in the 2011-12 season).

Coach Groce was named the 17th Fighting Illini men's basketball coach on March 29 after leading the Ohio University squad to a Cinderella Sweet 16 run in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. He went 85-56 in four seasons at Ohio with Mid-American Conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearance in both 2011 and 2012. In the 2012 tournament, Ohio knocked off Michigan and South Florida as the No. 13 seed and just missed the first Elite Eight appearance in school history with an overtime loss to North Carolina. Groce also led Ohio to an upset of No. 3 seed Georgetown in the 2010 tournament.

Groce spent eight years as an assistant coach under current Ohio State coach Thad Matta. Groce was an assistant under Matta at Butler in 2000-01 and then for three seasons at Xavier. Groce moved with Matt to Ohio State where they amassed a 105-35 record in four season with two appearances in the NCAA Championship game. He was named Rivals.com's 2006 National Recruiter of the Year. Groce began in Division I coaching career at North Carolina State in 1996 with four seasons under Herb Sendek.

The tradition of having Illini Night with the Peoria Chiefs started in 2005 after the men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Championship Game. Special guests over the last six years have included: Bruce Weber, Jerrance Howard, Wayne McClain, Jerry Hester, Roger Powell, Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffin, Frank Williams, Brian Randle, Jamar Smith, Rich McBride, Bill Cole and Ron Zook.

As always fans are encouraged to wear their orange on Illini Night to get the special $6.00 tickets at the Box Office. Tickets are available in advance by calling 1-866-MYTICKET, online at www.peoriachiefs.com through the Ticket Return link and in person at the Peoria Chiefs Stadium Box Office. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game weekdays and 10:00 a.m. until the 7th inning on game days.

Check out the Peoria Chiefs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 18, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central