Chicago State Athletics Announces “Cougars on Parade” Program
Fans who participate will have the chance to win prizes while learning more about
the incredible CSU student-athletes
CHICAGO (July 27, 2023) – Fans of Chicago State University (CSU) Athletics will notice a familiar figure popping up around popular community establishments this summer. CSU Athletics announced today the “Cougars on Parade” initiative to help celebrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of its student-athletes while getting local fans excited about the upcoming seasons for each of its varsity programs.
Starting today through the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 12 (which CSU Athletics will have a presence in), large, green cougar figurines depicting the CSU-offered sports programs will be on display at various businesses and organizations on Chicago’s South Side. The sports are as follows:
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Each cougar will be accompanied by a QR code that fans are encouraged to scan to learn more about a specific student-athlete story from that particular sport - as well as the opportunity to win a CSU Athletics prize.
Fans who scan the QR code can be entered to win a pair of tickets to the Chicago State Foundation’s 1stGEN Scholarship Gala - the annual, highly-anticipated event that takes place at The Geraghty (2520 S. Hoyne) on Oct. 6, 2023. One lucky winner and a guest will receive complimentary access to the gala, which includes food, beverage, entertainment and distinguished honorees. Three other winners will receive a CSU Athletics prize pack, full of “cougar swag.” Fans are encouraged to scan and enter at each of the seven locations (one entry per person, per cougar location) to increase their chances. All winners will be notified on Thursday, Aug. 10.
“Cougars on Parade is the first in a series of events and initiatives this upcoming academic year that will give our local community the chance to get to know our student-athletes,” said Dr. Monique Carroll, CSU’s director of intercollegiate athletics. “We are incredibly proud of our program and all of our athletes and the incredible effort they put in both in the game and in the classroom. Programs like this help rally our fan base, create new fans and give Chicago an opportunity to get to know our athletes.”
The cougar locations and corresponding student-athlete spotlights are as follows:
- Bucketz Game Zone (2037 W. 95th St.)
Representing athletes Wesley Cardet Jr. and Jahsean Corbett (men’s basketball) - Harborside International Golf Center (11001 S. Doty Ave. East)
Representing athletes Vada Williams and Faith McKinney (men’s and women’s golf) - South Chicago Branch Chicago Library (9055 S. Houston Ave.)
Representing athletes Pedro Alvarez and Danina Hughes (men’s and women’s tennis) - Cinema Chatham (210 W. 87th St.):
Representing athlete Taylor Norris (women’s basketball) - Urban Comuniveristy Center (9101 S. Jeffery Blvd.)
Representing athlete Yanlis Feliz (volleyball) - South Side Community Art Center (3831 S. Michigan Ave.)
Representing athletes Jakai Smith and Brenda Jepkoech (men’s and women’s track and field) - Discover Customer Care Center Chatham (8560 S. Cottage Grove Ave.):
Representing athletes Eduardo Flores, Saige Thor and Barbara Castellanos (men’s and women’s soccer)
Fans are encouraged to follow along on CSU Athletics’ social media channels for “Cougars on Parade” updates, and tag the cougars they see in the Chicagoland wild using #CougarsonParade. For more information on CSU Athletics, please visit gocsucougars.com.
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University Athletics is the only Division I athletics program on Chicago’s South Side. It is composed of 15 intercollegiate teams involving more than 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994.
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