"This is our sixth year for our Special Spectators Hometown Heroes event, which provides children from the Carle Pediatric Oncology Clinic who are battling serious illness with the opportunity to attend a U of I football game as our guests," said Kathy Kaler, Academic Advisor and Hometown Heroes Director.

"It's hard to tell who is affected more by this event, the children or the student-athletes, but it is without a doubt, one of the most rewarding and humbling community service projects our student-athletes take part in each year," she said. "Our goal is to give these kids, who are huge Illini fans, an exciting time they won't soon forget."

The group will also tailgate on the East side of the Assembly Hall with members of the men's and women's gymnastics, swimming and diving, men's track and cross country and softball teams before kickoff.

Special Spectators, in partnership with athletic departments, provides tickets to games and designs days filled with exciting surprises and experiences in and around the stadium that are not accessible to most fans. Special Spectators is designed to create fun for the entire family and provide a pause from the difficulties they face battling a loved one's illness.