By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Saturday marked the start of a week’s worth of events to honor the MC Strong movement.
It was launched last year following the death of Michael Collins, the 22-year-old former baseball coach and player who was killed by a drunk driver. The movement started on social media as a campaign to help others.
More than 600 runners participated in the MC Strong 5k run on Saturday.
“As we thought about what kind of events we wanted to have, we felt like – as much as his dad doesn’t like to run – he had to have some kind of fitness related event,” Michael’s father, Jim Collins, said.
Collins told WJBC’s Dan Swaney, the run and baseball tournament raise money for local baseball scholarships, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Miracle League of Central Illinois and the Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center in Bloomington said.
“We want to someday see (drunk driving deaths) come to an end because it’s completely preventable,” Collins said.
The Lawrence Irvin Center will get money to fund scholarships and 19 basketballs, in honor of Michael’s jersey number as a player and coach.
Next Thursday through Sunday, the Corn Crib will host a memorial baseball tournament featuring local high schools and Heartland Community College.
The 2016 Michael Collins Memorial Invitational
April 28
4:30 p.m. Bloomington vs. Danville
7:00 p.m. Central Catholic vs. Tri-Valley
April 29
4:30 p.m. Lincoln vs. Normal Community
7:00 pm. University High vs. Normal West
April 30
10:00 a.m. Fieldcrest vs. Herscher
12:30 p.m. Monticello vs. Olympia
3:00 p.m. Heyworth vs. Lexington
5:30 p.m. LeRoy vs. Henry-Senachwine
May 1
11:00 a.m. Heartland vs John Wood (softball)
3:00 p.m. Heartland vs. Spoon River (baseball)
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
