PEORIA, IL - With the start of the 2016-17 college basketball season underway, the Bradley Braves Club has announced its annual schedule of Game Day Luncheons, Pre-Game Parties and Raffle drawings.
Presented by Busey Bank, the Braves Club will host four Game Day Luncheons this season, beginning Friday, Dec. 9 with a celebration of Hall of Famer Joe Stowell's 90th birthday. Varsity and freshman players spanning Stowell's years as a student-athlete (1947-50), assistant coach (1956-65) and head coach (1965-78) have been invited back to campus to join in the celebration during the Dec. 9 luncheon, as well as the Dec. 10 men's basketball game versus Chicago State.
Illinois State head coach Dan Muller will be the guest speaker for the second Game Day Luncheon Jan. 18 prior to that night's game versus the rival Redbirds and the 2017 Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame Class will be honored during the third luncheon Friday, Feb. 3. The final luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 22.
All four Braves Club Game Day Luncheons will be held on Mitchell "J.J." Anderson Court in the Renaissance Coliseum Basketball Performance Center. For each luncheon, doors will open at 11:15 a.m. and the speaking program will begin at noon. Tickets are $20 for Braves Club members, $25 for the general public, and may be purchased by contacting the Braves Club Office at (309) 677-2667.
Presented by Alexander's Steakhouse and Famous Dave's, the Braves Club Pre-Game Parties are slated for Saturday, Dec. 10 (Chicago State), Thursday, Dec. 29 (Southern Illinois), Wednesday, Jan. 18 (Illinois State) and one additional date to be announced later. Complimentary beverages and snacks will be available for the Pre-Game Parties and doors will open two hours prior to each scheduled game tipoff time. The Pre-Game Parties are open to all Braves Club members (membership card required at entrance and one entrant per membership card). Guest entry is $10 and guests must be accompanied by a Braves Club member.
Presented by South Side Trust and Savings Bank, the Braves Club Raffle annually is one of the organization's largest fundraising activities with the potential to raise nearly $60,000 while awarding $40,500 to 12 winners. Raffle tickets are $100 per ticket and may be purchased from a Braves Club Board member prior to any Bradley Basketball game at Carver Arena (concourse or on the court) or by calling the Braves Club Office at (309) 677-2667. The Early Bird Drawing - $2,000 first prize and $1,000 second prize - is scheduled for halftime of the Dec. 29 game versus Southern Illinois and the final drawing will take place at halftime of the Feb. 22 regular-season home finale versus Missouri State. The 10 prizes Feb. 22 will range from $500 to the $25,000 grand prize.
