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Behind the Mic

Wide Variety of Activities This Past Week For Yours Truly

Posted by: Brian Barnhart

Saturday, April 18, 2009 7:57 PM

I often get asked by friends and fans..."So now that the basketball season is over...you must have more free time."

Overall...that is true.

But this past week was full of activity.

It started with the Kiwanis 87th annual basketball banquet on Tuesday night in Urbana. A really fun night that honored what was a remarkable 24-win season. Bruce Weber was a great host of the banquet (with a little help from me as MC) and it put a nice wrap on the 2008-2009 basketball season.

Wednesday I helped chaperone 2 buses of Westview Elementary 3rd graders (including my daughter) on a trip to the State Capitol in Springfield....Abraham Lincoln Museum...and the settlement at New Salem. Our bus broke down on the way back...but all in all...a really fun day.

Wednesday night...I spoke to group of Awana Students at Unity Baptist Church in Champaign...arriving late after our bus breakdown on the way back from Springfield earlier in the day. (see above).

Thursday at noon... I introduced my friend Tom Grey at a Kiwanis Luncheon (he gave a great speech by the way)..

Thursday night I attended the induction of 4 more members into the Unity High School Hall of Fame in Tolono...as well as the induction of 7 Unity students into the National Honor Society.

Friday..I met with Josh Carter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to discuss my upcoming duties as MC for the FCA banquet for the Vermillion County area FCA next Tuesday night in Covington, Indiana.

Friday evening...I attended Illini spring football practice and got a chance to watch how Ron Zook's team is progressing. By the way..the Illini have a lot of receivers!

And on Saturday morning it was off to Autograph Day at Memorial Stadium after the Illini practice. I helped coordinate our Kiwanis Challenger League baseball members as they got autographs and pictures with Coach Zook and his team.

Saturday afternoon...I checked out Dan Hartlieb's baseball squad against Minnesota at Illinois Field...and Saturday night..finished off the weekend riding our new bicycles with my 9-year old daughter.

So as you can tell...even though basketball season is done...I keep pretty active....and I enjoy being a part of the Champaign-Urbana and Illini community.!