The News-Gazette.com Weblog

Turpin Time

U of I DIA Disappoints Boy Scouts of America

Posted by: Jim Turpin

Monday, September 8, 2008 3:15 PM

Boy Scouts are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous and kind. They assume others are as well.

Not so says Butch Price, a BSA leader and a committee member helping plan the Prairielands Council "2008 Illini Jamboree." The event has been held every year for quite some time.

In past years the Boy Scouts purchased 3,500 to 4,500 tickets to the Illini home game that coincided with the Jamboree weekend.

One boy from each Scout unit (about 150-200 boys) has been allowed to participate in the pre-game on-the-field flag ceremony, including the National Anthem.

Here's what happened this year, according to Butch:

"Earlier this Summer we were informed that we would be limited to 2,500 tickets. This was a blow to our plans since we historically had at least 3,500 participants. Many of those years were pretty lean ones as far as Ilinois football is concerned.

"We realized that with the recent success of the program that tickets were now more desirable, so we accepted the change with a smile and proceeded with our plans.

"Then, on Thursday, September 4th our committee was informed by the DIA that the Scouts would no longer be allowed to conduct the flag ceremony on the field. Alternate ideas from our committee and other BSA officials were all rejected.

"I feel it is bad form to wait until nine days prior to a major event to inform us. I think it is a sad day when the DIA turns its back on a group such as the BSA who supported the team for many years when they were having a heck of a time filling seats at Memorial Stadium."