DANS HOST CHIEF ILLINIWEK

DANVILLE, IL………..Dans fans are asked to “Paint the Stadium Orange” for Logan Ponce, the last Chief Illiniwek to perform at Memorial Stadium, who will be the honored guest at the Danville Dans home game against Springfield (6:30 PM) on August 1, 2008.

The evening will be sponsored by Carmack Car Capital and WDAN. Tickets may be picked up at those locations as well as Iroquois Federal and Big R north.
The “Chief” will be available to sign autographs on the patio during the evening. A number of Illinois Football schedules will be available. A few lucky fans will win schedules signed by Ron Zook. CD’s, posters, and other items will be made available for purchase by Illini fans.

Chief Illiniwek’s appearance is courtesy of the “Honor the Chief Society.”

WHOSE NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK?

The Danville Dans are home 4 consecutive nights this week. The series begins Tuesday night with an unsponsored game vs the Qunicy Gems. Weds night (July 30) is sponsored by D.A.R.E and our guests are Commercial News carriers. Thursday night is sponsored by the Commercial News - check the newpaper for tickets - and by Lawlyes & Lawlyes. Friday night, August 1, is sponsored by Covington Foods, Thrivent Finanancial Champaign, Buds Express Cellular, car stereo & home theatre, C.U.B.S., and the employees of Krupp Presta Cold Forging. The honored guest at this game is "Chief Illiniwek."

WEATHERFORD SIGNS WITH ROCKIES

Aaron Weatherford (Dans 2006-Mississippi State)of Chrystal Springs, MS, a 3rd round draft selection of the Colorado Rockes, has signed with the Rockies and will report to the Class A Northwest League Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Wa.

Hammond joins Giants Organization

Steve Hammond (Dans 2004), as part of the Ray Durham trade, leaves Nashville (Brewers) and joins the AAA Fresno Grizzlies (San Francisco Giants). Good luck Steve!

DAN NAMED CICL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

This week's CICL Pitcher of the Week award goes to Dans right-hander Chris Licon. Chris made a relief appearance and a start during the week, pitching a total of 7.2 innings, went 1-0 and allowed only 1 run while walking none, fanning 4 and allowing no extra base hits. In his start, Licon pitched 6 innings before giving way to relief in a 12-3 victory over Dubois on July 19 after having pitched 1.2 innings of relief 2 days earlier. Licon is from Pomona, California, and will be a sophomore this fall at Orange Coast Community College. Chris is staying with the Kurt & Laura Girouard family this summer.

Chris joins Dan Kazrowski, winning Player of the Week Award for games played from June 23-29. The St. Anthony, Minnesota, native led the league in batting for the week at .533 (16-30), on-base percentage at .588, hits with 16, total bases with 19, was 3rd in slugging at .633 and was 3rd in RBI with 6. The right-handed hitting Kaczrowski will be a senior this fall at Hamlin University.

Dan was also named CICL Player of the First Half, leading the league this season in 5offensive categories and second or third in 5 other categories.

DANS MINOR LEAGUE UPDATE

Left-hander Steve Hammond (Dans 2004) was promoted to the Triple A Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee) after going 7-4, 3.45 in 15 starts for Huntsville, with 78 strikeouts and 33 walks in 89 innings.

Randy Ruiz (Dans 1999) is on the leader board for the AAA International League batting 300 in .333 at bats with the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota). (pictured)

WHOSE NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK?

The Dans are home this week on Thursday, July 24 and on Saturday July 26th. On Thursday, our sponsors are St. Mary's Westville and Old National Bank. On the patio that night will be the Mulvaney & Hoyer families, celebrating the marriage of Adam & Kathleen on the 26th. Saturday is Cellular One POSTER NIGHT. Along with Cell One, the game is being sponsored by Covington Foods. Also, our friends at Time-O-Matic (WatchFire Signs) and Quaker will be enjoying employee nights. See you at the ballpark!

DAN NAMED STAR OF STARS

Chris Coghlan (Dans 2004, Ole' Miss)powered the North Division to a 6-1 victory over the South at the Southern League All-Star Game last Monday evening. His three-run homer in the fifth inning broke open a 2-1 game and earned him the Star of Stars award.

Coglan is in the Florida Marlins organization. Since the end of May, he has hit .329 with 2 home runs and 21 RBI's in 38 games.

While in Danville, Chris was coached by Bill Ferrari and hosted by Bill and Pat Westphal.

DANS CAMP REMINDER

The last Dans camp of the summer will be held this week on the 16th & 17th! E-mail jc@cooketech.net

WHOSE NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK?

The Danville Dans are home this week July 16,17 & 19th! Sponsors on the 16th are Crimestoppers and Westville Legion Post 51. Thursday, as it has been all summer, is Thrivent Thursday. Pickup tickets at any Lutheran Church. Saturday night the 19th is McDonalds McPack the Place, WDAN, and Lynch Fire Dept. See you at the ballpark!

ROSS NAMED TO ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

Austin Ross (Dans 08'), a Shreveport, La. product, has been named to the SEC Freshmen Academic Honor Roll.

To qualify for the SEC Freshmen Academic Honor Roll, each student-athlete must 1) have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above; 2) be on scholarship or a letter winner; 3) have completed 24 semester hours of non-remedial credit; and 4) have been a member of the varsity team for the sport's entire NCAA Championship segment.

At LSU, Austin made 21 appearances, including two starts. He recorded a 3-1 mark with a 2.58 ERA and three saves in 52.1 innings.

WHOSE NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK?

The Dans are home this week on Wednesday, July 9, for a 6:00 PM double-header against the Quincy Gems. No ticket sponsor is available for this game. They are home again on Thursday, July 10 for a 6:30 game vs the DuPage Dragons. All Thursday games are sponsored by Thrivant and tickets may be picked up at any area Lutheran Church. This game is also sponsored by our friends at 1st National Bank. Tickets may be picked up at any bank location. The game will be broadcast by WDAN on the radio as well as the internet.

2008 CICL VS KIT LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME

The 2008 CICL vs KIT League All-Star game will be held in Huntingburg, IN at League Stadium, home of the Dubois County Bombers, on Monday, July 21. The game will begin at 6:30 PM Central Time.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting the Bombers at 812-683-3700 or dcbombers@psci.net. Ticket prices are $9 for red chair back, $8 for orange chair back, and $6 for general admission. The game will also be televised on Teamline on a pay-per-listn basis for famly and friends who won't be able to attend. More information to come.