​Whirlyball Bar (I know the names embarrassing but it’s a really “fresh” place):
1825 W Webster Ave, Chicago 60614
7p – 10p: Orders served – Cash bar
Private room, bowling lanes, and whirlyball (Just hanging is totally fine)
 
Mayweather / Mcgregor
Echo Global Logistics: 600 W Chicago ave, Chicago 60610
7 min drive, uber, and or cab from Whirlyball.
 
Lets ALL build this illini wrestling army, where we can flex, grit our teeth, and be so proud to have the BEST college wrestling and Regional Training Center Programs from Cali to Maine.

Any comfortable donation will be greatly appreciated, but please do not let that discourage you from coming. Make checks payable to Illinois RTC.

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Newsletter / email 1

Newsletter/email 2

 I hope this letter finds you in good health, happiness… and employed. It’s important to me to let everyone know that coming up we will be hosting an Illinois wrestling fundraising night with bowling and whirlyball, since most of you are horrible golfers. Knowing that the majority of our alumni and fans reside in the Chicagoland area, the fundraiser will be held at Whirlyball (1825 W. Webster Ave in Chicago) from 7p – 10p.  The night will be a social gathering including our own private room, bowling lanes and whirlyball if you’re up for it.

There has never been a need for contributions like there is this year, as we look to build our Regional Training Center program for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.  All of our fundraising efforts will go towards financially supporting the athletes, hosting training camps, and bringing in other senior level athletes as training partners. This will directly impact our current Illinois team, allowing us to build a trophy-winning team and many individual champs! Our only current athlete in the RTC is Zane Richards, with Isaiah Martinez set to join him after his upcoming Senior season. Having more than sufficient funds for a Regional Training Center is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Our goal is to raise $500,000 from now until 2020, sustaining our mission leading up to the Tokyo Olympics.

At this time I’d like you guys to grab a cocktail, kick your feet up, and reminisce about the 4-5 great years you spent in Champaign. Think of us led by Jim Heffernan, Mark Johnson, and all the other selfless coaches and assistants that have wrestled with you, been by your side, and became a lifetime father, brother, and friend. On your wall is a proud University of Illinois diploma, a top ten public University. Because of the free tutors, the scholarships, the “perks” for being an athlete here, I ask you take a quick peek at your bank account. You really think that $500 is even close to the payback we deserve? Try to resist smiling while you think of the nights at Joe’s and Kam’s, the laughs, the fights, and the big moments at Huff Hall. Think of the life lessons and all the stories. You can honestly say, “$500 is too much for the best time of my life?” Really? How can you look in the mirror every morning, completely hydrated while our athletes have dry, cutting weight mouth, and say ‘I’m not going to help them?’

Those that have contributed in the past, we greatly appreciate your generosity. Some give when they can and others have never given! For those that haven’t given ask yourself… why? I know the answer and I hope you do to.

I hope to see many of you August 26th. If not, you can still send a check to 1700 S Fourth St, Champaign IL 61820, made out to Illinois RTC. I ask you to spread the word about this event because I may not have everyone’s email address. We ask for a recommended donation of $500 for each of those attending but will happily accept whatever you feel comfortable giving. For those of you that want to bring a guest(s), no problem, just make sure your guest(s) brings five green pieces of paper with Benjamin Franklin’s picture on each of them!

            I hope you can join us. If you plan on attending, please text (847) 845-2788 with your name and number of guests, or reply to this e-mail.  Please RSVP as soon as possible or by Friday, August 18th, at the latest.

The whole University of Illinois wrestling family thanks you.

Coach Poeta

I want to remind everyone of our Social this Saturday night, August 26th. In my first letter, it was not my intention to sound offensive or impolite. I truly felt like I was adding humor to fundraising, an otherwise dull topic, so I sincerely apologize.
My mission is to bring the illini wrestling nation together and I want all alum and fans to join the team. Donations will be greatly appreciated, but MOST importantly your attendance is enough and our top priority.

     The fundraising night will be held at Whirlyball Bar in Chicago, where we have a private room with private lanes inside. The bowling and games are to add to the good time we plan on having, but is completely optional and no organized competitions are in place. Knowing the alum that I do, I can see a few guys getting pretty competitive.
   
     In regards to some of the feedback I have received, I’m in complete agreement. I wish college wrestling coaches could ONLY focus on developing our athletes. Currently, in 2017, it seems that there is not a fair playing field unless you have the funds to support senior level athletes training for the World Championships and Olympics. This past week we brought in Tommy Gannt, originally an Illinois HS wrestler who competed for NC State, to train with our wrestlers. In three weeks we have Alex Dieringer, a 3x NCAA champ, scheduled to be in Champaign to train and mentor our guys. Currently Zane Richards is an Illinois RTC team member, who requires a monthly stipend for living, traveling, and personal expenses. Next year Isaiah Martinez will also be one of our paid future Olympic athletes. As wrestlers, the purest athletes in the most honorable sport, we still need funds to be “professional athletes” like the NFL, NBA, and most importantly the WWF.
 
     All checks should be made out to Illinois RTC. A credit card/debit card option will be available shortly, but not until after this social. The Illinois RTC is a 501(c)3, and the EIN # is 47-4247473. More events will be in place, including golf outings, tail gates, and more. For Illinois wrestling to be the BEST college program in the country, we need all the support possible. Please do not hesitate to communicate with us on future ideas and events.

     Saturday night is the Mayweather, McGregor fight. We will have a location in place for us to make our way to watch the fight after. There are a currently a few locations willing to host us, but the signing on the dotted line hasn’t happened yet. Hopefully I’ll have the information for our location in the next few days.
           
     We look forward to seeing you Saturday and enjoying a great year of Illini Wrestling!

Coach Poeta