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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — New alcoholic beverages are coming to Illinois sporting events this athletic year.
The ICON Collective, Illinois’ NIL coalition, announced that it is partnering with DESTIHL Brewery in Normal, founded by U of I alumni, to produce two beers — ILL-IPA and Oskee Light, a premium light lager. The beers will make their debut at the football team’s season opener next week.
The beers will be available for sale throughout the football season and during basketball season at State Farm Center. In addition, ILL-IPA and Oskee Light will be available in early September at select bars, restaurants and retail stores in the Champaign-Urbana area.
“As we enter year four of NIL, we continue to look for innovative ways to engage our fans and increase financial support for Fighting Illini student-athletes,” said ICON President and CEO Kathleen Knight. “We are pleased to partner with DESTIHL, an award-winning local brewer with ties to the University of Illinois, and to offer these festive Illini-themed beverages on gameday and beyond.”
Through a sponsorship agreement with Fighting Illini Sports Properties, DESTIHL will become a Proud Partner of University of Illinois Athletics.
“We are proud to support Fighting Illini student-athletes and ICON through the creation and sale of ILL-IPA and Oskee Light,” said Matt Potts, DESTIHL founder and CEO. “Orange and Blue runs deep through our family, with myself, my wife Lyn, and our two oldest children all being graduates of Illinois, along with extended family. It’s a tremendous honor to apply our years of craft brewing to come full circle with this project for our fellow Illini fans and to enjoy these amazing beers together while rallying to support and cheer our Illini on to victory.”
ICON will receive a portion of revenue generated by the beers’ sale, which will be used to arrange for community service activity attended by Fighting Illini athletes through NIL deals.