CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Champaign Swarm play their final regular season home game this Saturday at Parkland College, and they want to say thank you to one of their key partners.

This Saturday night is “Champaign Park District Appreciation Night” when the Swarm host the Bloomington Flex. All Champaign Park District employees and youth program members receive complimentary admission, courtesy of Jupiter’s at the Crossing restaurant in Champaign.

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“The Champaign Park District has been crucial for our whole operation,” Swarm general manager Jim Sheppard said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have a place to practice and train. And the kids have been some of our biggest fans. The Park District has been a great partner, so we’re glad to offer this as a small token of thanks. Thank you, too, to Jupiter’s for helping make this happen.”

The Park District’s new Leonhard Recreation Center is the official training site for the Swarm, often used six or seven days a week for team practice.

“It’s one thing to have a place to practice, it’s another to have it in a first-class facility,” Swarm head coach Chris Daleo said. “The Leonhard Rec Center is fabulous, and it’s been fun for our players to interact with the youth there and at our games. I’m grateful for how much this has helped our team.”

Champaign Park District staff and parents/guardians of youth interested in attending simply need to email Swarm Promotions Coordinator Ashley Paulus at apaulus2@illinois.edu by Thursday at 3 p.m. Tip off against Bloomington is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 14, at the Dodds Athletic Center at Parkland College.
 
Tickets for all others are $8 for general admission. Students, kids and seniors are $5.