Ballin’ on Beaufort back for a second year in Uptown Normal

Posted on July 3, 2024
The event does not have an official date. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Illinois State University plans to bring back Ballin’ on Beaufort, a preseason basketball event for fans in uptown Normal.

The event features both ISU’s Men’s and Women’s team on a temporary court installed on East Beaufort Street.

During the event, which does not have an official date, fans can see a 3-point competition and a slam-dunk contest.

“It is happening,” Interim Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Other than the fact that it rained almost the entire time (last year), it was a wonderful event. We loved partnering with uptown Normal. We bought that sports court, so of course we want to use it again. We thought it was a fabulous event, so we are definitely doing it again this fall.”

This year, fans will have the opportunity to meet four newcomers on both ISU’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.

The event has yet to have an official date.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…