Area Roundup: Jan. 3
FROM STAFF REPORTS January 3, 2013 8:54PM
Updated: January 3, 2013 10:40PM
Fans encouraged to wear purple at basketball game
Fans attending the District 203 rivalry boys basketball game between Naperville North and Naperville Central Jan. 11 are encouraged to wear purple as a sign of solidarity against student bullying and harassment.
The “purple-out,” which is encouraged for all fans attending the game, will encourage students to help those that are being picked on, bullied, harassed, or just need to feel included within their schools. An event where both schools wear the same colors for the same cause is a first for Naperville schools.
This week-long event is the idea of the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation students at Naperville Central who have been working with Naperville North’s chapter of the foundation.
The Jan. 11 game, which will be held at Naperville Central, tips at 7:30 p.m.
Cougars hosting ‘Meet the Cubs’ event Feb. 1
The Kane County Cougars will host a pair of events in February as anticipation for the 2013 season grows and the organization prepares for its first season of affiliation with the Chicago Cubs. The Cougars will host a “Meet the Cubs” hot stove event on Friday, Feb. 1, and a free coaches clinic on Saturday, Feb. 2. Information on both events is currently available at kccougars.com.
The Meet the Cubs party, to take place inside the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Super Suite from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 1, will provide fans an introduction to Kane County’s affiliation with the Chicago Cubs. Scheduled speakers include Cubs Senior VP of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod, Cubs Director of Player Development Brandon Hyde, and Cougars manager Mark Johnson. Johnson was named the 15th manager in Cougars history last month. In 2012, Johnson helped lead the Cubs’ Short-A affiliate Boise Hawks to the Northwest League Championship Series.
Admission is $60 and includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, draft beer and a question-and-answer session with the evening’s guest speakers. A portion of proceeds will be donated to JDRF in honor of the late Cubs Hall-of-Famer Ron Santo.
Seating will be limited, and fans are encouraged to order their tickets early. Tickets can be purchased by calling 630-232-8811 or by visiting kccougars.com.
On Feb. 2, the Cougars will hold a free Coaches Clinic that will feature professional instructors from the Cougars and Cubs organizations. The clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to noon inside the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark upper deck level. Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling the Cougars at 630-232-8811 or by e-mailing sfreed@kanecountycougars.com.
Although open to the public, the clinic’s purpose is to instruct coaches; the clinic is intended for adult coaches rather than youth players. Coaches are encouraged to bring video recorders and notepads for their convenience, and will have the opportunity to visit each station to learn valuable pointers in specific areas of on-field execution, practice techniques and coaching style.
