HR0596 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0596 LRB102 23173 LAW 32335 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer on the occasion of the organization's 50th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, the Antioch Vikings Junior Tackle Football was founded by Richard "Leo" McGrain with the help of Jim Walsh, Ron Vogt, Russ Lehn, and many others who were part of the Junior Football League of Northern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Vikings are now part of The Chicagoland Youth Football League and the Illinois Cheer Association; and

WHEREAS, Cheerleading officially became part of the Vikings in the early 1980s, transforming the organization into the Antioch Vikings Youth Football and Cheer; and

WHEREAS, The Vikings used Williams Park along with Antioch High School as their first home fields; the team then moved to Polley Field and Antioch Upper Grade School before moving to the Tim Osmond Sports Complex; and

WHEREAS, The Vikings team colors were originally orange and brown from the 1970s to the 1980s, switching to black and gold during the 1990s to the 2010s; the team's colors are currently black and crimson; and

WHEREAS, The Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer will celebrate its anniversary with a naming and dedication ceremony of its stadium and grandstands on October 2, 2022; and

WHEREAS, The stadium will be named Viking Stadium in honor of all those who founded the Vikings and those that carried and continue to carry the tradition of sportsmanship, leadership, volunteerism, and community with the Vikings name; and

WHEREAS, The bleachers will be named the John F. Nebel Grandstands in honor of John F. Nebel, who served the Vikings program as a board member, president, coach, mentor, friend, and shining example of the Viking spirit; he, along with many volunteers, led the effort to secure a donation for the bleachers from the Naval Station Great Lakes; and

WHEREAS, The Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer's current board includes President Darren Smith, Vice President of Football Andrew Waszcyzk, Vice President of Cheer Allisa Fancke, Football Player Personnel Director Richard Lee, Cheer Player Personnel Director Christina Barrera, Treasurer Nilesh Patel, Registrar Amber Campbell, Football Equipment Director Cameron Campbell, Cheer Equipment Director Chelsea Leedle, Field Director Justin Puentes, Field Director Carl Painter, Field Director Travis Hammond, Team Mom Coordinator Heather Wickert, Flag Director Jon Aldana, Concessions Director Chris Igou, and Secretary Dan Bender; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer on the organization's 50th anniversary, and we recognize the men and women who started and have continued to nurture the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer program, from the founders to every past and present board member, president, coach, volunteer, player, and cheerleader; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we wish the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer organization as an expression of our esteem and respect.