By Paul M. Banks
It’s the time of year again- Illini Day at Wrigley, which typically draws more than 1,000 Illini fans to the Friendly Confines. The even often sells out within a nanosecond of tickets being released. This year, the event has a special guest.
All-Time Fighting Illini basketball great Kendall Gill will be guest conductor for the 7th-inning stretch at Wrigley Field Saturday for Illini Day.
Gill, who earned All-America honors and helped lead the Flying Illini to the ’89 Final Four during his career at Illinois from 1987-90, will be making his first appearance as conductor of 7th-inning stretch.
“It’s all about Illini Day for me,” Gill said. “It’s very exciting to have this opportunity as I remember Harry Carry leading the crowd during the stretch when he was the Cubs announcer. I’m very excited to be a part of it
and am looking forward to getting to see a lot of folks from the Illini
family who I’ve had a relationship with over the years.”
More than 1,000 Illini fans will be in attendance Saturday when the Cubs
host the Pittsburgh Pirates, including several Illini football and basketball coaches.
Most will be attending a pregame party at John Barleycorn (3524 N. Clark Street) beginning at 9:30 am.