IlliniGuys Staff
December 14, 2021
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Put together a lifetime Illini fan who just wanted to help the basketball program and a longtime friend who has owned a premier athletic apparel business for decades, and you come up with a unique meet and greet opportunity for Illini fans.
1317 N Dunlap Ave, Savoy, IL
Body N' Sole in Savoy will host a Meet and Greet with the Fighting Illini basketball team this Sunday, December 19th from 4-6pm. It's a chance to come out and meet your favorite player at no charge.
The two men talked about how they came up with the idea on the syndicated radio show "Illini Guys Sports Spectacular."
"I read an article about what supporters of other big programs are doing to help the team with the new NIL rules and I thought this was a great way to support the team", said Decatur's Mark Avery, who put together the idea with Mike Lindemann, a co-owner of Body N' Sole. The two have been friends since they were star athletes for Mattoon High School in the 1970s.
Mark Avery - courtesy of Herald & Review
"We've been in business for 43 years but (doing something with NIL) is, of course, something new for us", says Lindemann. "We've done all kinds of events here over the years, but normally we get people here and then we go out for a run or something. So this is something new. It's really exciting for us."
Lindemann adds that he believes this is the first team the entire team will be together at an event like this and not just a player or two.
"How often does an Illini fan get to come up to their favorite player and just talk basketball? I mean, that's going to be exciting!"
Opinions from the Outside Looking In at Illini Football #492
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini PFs in our Lifetime, 4-Star 2027 QB Commit & Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review - #491
ListenB1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II
ListenNBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25
ListenI on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 SGs & Superman Movie Review #489
ListenIllini in NBA Summer League, New Basketball Hire & Illini Football - S4Ep48 - 7.11.25
ListenI on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 PGs #488
ListenBest of Interviews Episode - 7.4.25 - S4Ep47
ListenIllinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487
ListenWhitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46
ListenZach Hamer Illini Asst BB Coach Talks KJ, Will & the NBA Draft - #486
ListenIllini FB Recruiting Update, If Illini FB was a Movie & NIL & NBA Draft "What If" #485
ListenIllini BB International Players & Cearah Parchment the newest IlliniGal - 6.20.25 - S4Ep45
Listen