The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Sports

Discussion

March 12, 2009

Williams prepares for Austrian trip

Westville standout playing at Illinois Wesleyan

BY DAVE HARRIS

WESTVILLE — For the last two years, Eli Justin Williams has been playing football for Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington where he attends college.

Williams is the former running back for the Westville football team where he was the Commercial-News Player of the Year.

“Things are going pretty good here.” Williams said. “Football is going well and my grades are good. I just made the Dean’s list.”

This past season, Williams accounted for 744 all-purpose yards as the Titans went 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the CCIW.

Every four years, the football players at Illinois Wesleyan are offered the opportunity to be a part of an athletic and cultural exchange trip.

This year they have the chance to travel to Vienna, Austria and the Czech Republic from June 1-10, and play against the Austrian Football Club team — the Vienna Vikings.

Football is a very popular sport in Austria, second only to alpine skiing.

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans will also take the time to do some sight-seeing and visit historical sites.

“I’m looking forward to the memories that will be made from this trip.” Williams said. “Being in a foreign country and playing football in front of thousands of people.”

“He’s worked hard and this is a great opportunity,’’ said Sue Williams, Eli’s mother.

To take part in the trip, every player needs to raise $3500. This cost includes everything from airfare, to meals, hotels expenses and visits to different historical landmarks.

The Williams family plans to put together a couple fundraisers to help send Eli to Europe for this once in a lifetime experience. They are also currently looking for sponsors.

For information on how you can sponsor Eli, please call Illinois Wesleyan football coach, Norm Eash, at (309) 556-3344 or Sue Williams at 267-7549.

Text Only
Sports
E-edition
AP Video
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin 6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40 On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report 15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108 Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
NDN Video
Couple doesn’t let tropical storm ruin their big day Tori Bares Baby Bump in Monokini Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack Letterman on Family Life Post-Scandal Evans: Serena in shock Pregnant Reese Wears LBD Volcano covers Colombian cities in ash Meet the Crew and Good Ship 'Prometheus' Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes Hamster Plays Dead Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend? LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field Man Dies Getting Lap Dance Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game