For a town obsessed with college football, we’ve had a few brushes with the NFL pros. If you’re old like me, you might remember when the Indianapolis Colts — and a rookie quarterback named Peyton Manning — came to Champaign-Urbana to scrimmage with the St. Louis Rams. It was the summer of 1998.
Love Chicago Bears football? Head up to training camp in Bourbonnais between July 26 and Aug. 17.
Even more recent was when the Chicago Bears made Memorial Stadium their temporary home during the 2002 season, while Soldier Field was being renovated. That was a good time.
The pros haven’t been around much in the 10 years since, but there’s still a good way to catch a glimpse of the Chicago Bears this preseason: head up Interstate 57 to Bourbonnais and watch some Bears training camp. Admission and parking are free!
Here’s how: Starting Thursday, July 26, the Bears will be in residence at their preseason training facility on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University. Practice times vary between 2 and 2:30 p.m., with a couple of 7 p.m. times. They will be on campus most days through the end of training camp, with the last practice open to the public on August 17. (Here is a link to the complete schedule). Gates open one hour before practice starts.
It’s not just the training camp that is the attraction – there is a kids fun zone for children ages 4-12 with inflatables and other activities.
There are many special events, including:
– Run with Staley on Saturday, Aug. 11, where kids ages 14 and under will race a 1-mile loop around campus with the Bears’ mascot. Staley will also hold a kiddy dash on the track for children age five and under. The first 50 race participants to register will receive an autograph card for the kids’ autograph session that will take place following practice. Additionally, all participants will receive a T-shirt and medal. The registration fee is $15 per child.
- Autographs! At select practices, the first 150 kids ages 4-12 in line outside Gate 1 will receive a pass good for that day’s autograph session only. The autograph session is typically held immediately following practice and is located inside the tennis court area. Dates are 7/27, 7/31, 8/1, 8/2, 8/5, 8/7, 8/11, 8/14.
- Bears Family Night at ONU (Monday, Aug. 13) Come out to Ward Field and watch the Bears practice under the lights. Pre-practice festivities will begin at 6:00 pm with practice set to start at 7:00 pm. A spectacular fireworks display will take place after practice.
Parking and admission are free — food is available for sale.
Directions: Take I-57 north. Take the IL-50 exit (exit 315). Keep right and travel north on IL-50. Turn left (west) onto E4000N Rd/Larry Power Rd. Turn left (south) onto Rt. 45/52. Turn left onto University Avenue. At the stop sign, follow the curve left Enter campus on Nielson Drive. Trip is about 90 minutes from Champaign-Urbana.
If you go, let us know how much fun you had!
They are in the middle of a large construction project up there and it may be best not to take exit 315. I would highly recommend taking exit 312. You will take a left at the right and stay on Court Street until you hit Route 45/52 (right near Provena St. Mary’s hospital) and you will take a right at the light. You will then take 45/52 north until you come to University and take a right. At the stop sign, follow the curve left Enter campus on Nielson Drive.
I drive up there regularly and have see a couple of accidents at this construction due to people not following the signs and yielding. So I find that that route is safer!
I am a Bourbonnais native and what I can add to this piece, advice-wise, is this: that area has pizza like none we’ve ever tasted in C-U. Order from Johnny’s (in Kankakee); you won’t be disappointed.
I agree with Krissy and Rachael. I am a Bourbonnais native as well. Johnny’s is tasty. I might also recommend Jaenicke’s hot dogs. The sauce buns and root beer are great!
Hey, I think I may know you, Linds!
Jaenicke’s–GOOD call! That’s something else we don’t have a whole lot of in this area.
Jaenicke’s is a good call! My favorite restaurant in town though is Family House. We go there almost every time we are up for a visit – even if just to get soup to go. Sadly, I have their phone number memorized because I call that often for to go orders.
I haven’t been there in ages–great breakfast! It’s right next to Professional Hair Design, which is owned by some dear family friends. Ahh, memories of home…
Does anyone know how early we should get there to be one of the first 150 to get the autograph pass?
I can accept you on this kind of I love my own Green Smokes.
It was the first brand I attempted out and i have been using them for about 6 months now.
They make a great merchandise.