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!"