The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

Discussion

November 18, 2009

Rally to rev up Vikings

Community invited to Temple Plaza

BY ANNA HERKAMP

DANVILLE — The entire town is invited to rally around the Danville High School Vikings football team Friday night.

Organizers of the “Whole Town” pep rally hope the event gives the town a chance to support the undefeated Vikings, and give the team a chance to thank the community for all their support this season.

“This is exactly what the community has needed,” said Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, who will be the master of ceremonies at the event with Neuhoff Broadcasting General Manager Mike Hulvey.

The DHS Band of Vikings, football coaches, cheerleaders, students and other supporters will be on hand.

Anyone else who’d like to attend is welcome.

“This is an opportunity to show the pride that we have in our community, the pride that we feel for our student athletes and to rally around a common cause,” Eisenhauer said.

He said the community pride for the team has been overwhelming, he added.

The crowds at last weekend’s game were far beyond expectations, and that enthusiasm has continued with the display of support all over town, such as in the hand-painted signs on business windows around town.

The third-round victory has given locals a chance to really celebrate something great, he added.

The upcoming game Friday and the Night of Lights festivities tonight, as well as this week’s Festival of Trees create good vibes for everyone.

“Look how much we have to be excited about,” he said.

The energy has spread.

Alumni from all over the country — and the world — have touched base to share their support.

Eisenhauer said fans from all over called in to cheer on the Vikings.

“From a broadcasting perspective, we’re doing this game and getting text messages from military bases in Turkey and Germany. Someone texted in from Australia. A girl I went to school with (and her fiancé) announced their engagement on the air. All of those things have made it really special,” he said.

DHS coach BJ Luke said he’s also received many messages of support from former classmates and others wishing him and the team well.

“It’s been very rewarding,” he said. “I’ve been coaching for 33 years. I’ve had some really neat teams and I’ve been in the semi-finals at three different schools, but this is the most excited I’ve ever been in my coaching career. (Being in my hometown) really intensifies it. It’s really special.”

The amount of community spirit has been overwhelming, he added.

“It’s been really neat to see. It really means a lot to us.”

COMING UP

A “Whole Town Pep Rally” in support of the Danville High School Vikings football team will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at Temple Plaza. The public is invited.

Text Only
Local News
E-edition
AP Video
Foreclosures Rise Only Slightly, More Expected Old Friends, New Mission: China VP Visits Iowa Chinese Leader Builds Relationships on Iowa Trip Jeremy Lin a Slam-dunk for Knicks and Fans Defense Begins in UVA Player Murder Trial More Than 350 Die in Honduran Prison Fire Defiant Iran Loads Own Fuel Rods Into Reactor Lawmakers Move to Cusp of Payroll Tax Cut Deal Raw Video: Syrian Army, Rebels Battle in Homs Video Essay: Saving the Miami Blue Butterfly NYPD Officer Shot During Subway Confrontation Obama's Valentine's Advice: 'Go Big' San Francisco's Valentine's Gift to Tony Bennett Iranian Boats Shadow US Aircraft Carrier in Gulf Hundreds Rally Against Alabama Immigration Law Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain Obama: Good US-China Ties Help the Whole World School Pays Students to Attend Class
NDN Video
Jessica Alba's Bold Cut-Out Couture Mass. Student Pictures End Up on Porn Site Kobe Bryant and Wife Back Together? Bulldog Becomes Mom for Wild Piglets Eyewitness Account of Brandy's Whitney Breakdown Relatives wait for information about inmates Are Diem & CT No Longer 'Exes?' Defense Begins in UVA Player Murder Trial Model Falls on Runway Google Street View Catches Bizarre Moments Lin Tracker Kate Upton Bares Her Killer Bod Video captures dramatic attack on Mexican newspaper Raw Video: Randy Travis DUI Arrest Released Marc & J.Lo: 'Q'Viva!' is Our Family 'Legacy' Shakira Attacked By Sea Lion Passenger steals Rolex from security at airport Jennifer Aniston's Sexy Spread Man organizes in-flight proposal for girlfriend Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial