The daily pitch with Sports Editor Matt Daniels: April 24, 2025

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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:

Three reasons we love sports today

➜ 1. Watseka is about an hour north of Champaign, but the cause Watseka football coach Max Fransen holds dear to his heart is worth the time in the car.

➜ 2. Fransen and the Warriors football program will hold their third annual Tackling Disabilities camp on Saturday, July 26. The free event runs from 6-7:30 p.m. and is open to children of all ages with disabilities, along with their parents and siblings, who want to enjoy football.

➜ 3. Registration lasts until July 18 for campers to receive a t-shirt, and donations will be accepted the day of the camp. All proceeds will be donated to the Special Olympics. Questions? Contact Fransen via email at [email protected] or by phone at 217-853-3858.

Numbers game: 40

home runs by Drake Westcott at Illinois. That number is tied for second in program history with Sean Mulligan, who hit 40 from 1989-91. Only Scott Spiezio has more home runs at Illinois, with the 12-year MLB veteran connecting on 48 home runs from 1991-93. Westcott, who hit two home runs during Tuesday night’s 19-8 win at Indiana State, will try to add to his total when the Illini (23-15, 10-8 Big Ten) host Purdue (24-16, 6-12) at 6 p.m. Friday.

Crowd control

Three events I’m paying attention to

➜ 1. The NFL draft. The first round starts at 7 p.m. Thursday. The second and third rounds are Friday night starting at 6 p.m. and the fourth through seventh rounds are Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. Former Illini Pat Bryant should hear his named called at some point this weekend.

➜ 2. Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon. The 5K gets going at 7:30 p.m. Friday before the full marathon, half marathon and 10K take over the streets of Champaign, Urbana and Savoy at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

➜ 3. Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves. Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. is getting limited run off the bench for the Timberwolves, who host Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. Friday, in the first-round series.

Ask an AD

Three questions with Schlarman athletic director Erin Forsyth:

➜ 1. My favorite sports team is … I grew up in New England, so I’m a huge Red Sox fan.

➜ 2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … Geno Auriemma, Becky Hammon and Dawn Staley.

➜ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … inaction. I believe if you want something done, go do it.