State Celebrates 2013 Stanley Cup Champions

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed June 28, 2013 to be Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks Day in Illinois, in honor of the team's recent Stanley Cup win and their outstanding season.

The Blackhawks' unforgettable victory over the Boston Bruins isn't the only win Illinois is celebrating - , the Greater Chicago Food Depository will have another set of helping hands this summer when Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick comes to make good on his wager with Governor Quinn. On June 11 the governors made a wager before the start of the Stanley Cup Final series that the governor of the losing team's state would volunteer at the food bank of the winning governor's choice

The Stanley Cup will reprise its 2010 visit to the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield later this summer, where the public may view the trophy free of charge. The date of the public display will be announced at a later date.

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks were founded on September 25, 1926 by Major Frederic McLaughlin and named after the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Division of the United States Army, the unit Major McLaughlin commanded in World War I; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks, in their nearly 87 years have showcased outstanding offensemen including Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Denis Savard, and Jeremy Roenick; elite defensemen including Pierre Pilote, Keith Magnuson, and Chris Chelios; and superior goaltenders Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks began the 2013 season by earning at least 1 point in 24 consecutive games, thereby setting a new National Hockey League record, won over 80 percent of their regular season games and completed the regular season with the most points of any team; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' unmatched 2013 regular season success resulted in receipt of the Presidents' Trophy, given by the National Hockey League to the team that completes the regular season with the best overall record, for the second time in franchise history; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' exceptional goaltending tandem of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, in recognition of their unparalleled 2013 regular season, earned the William M. Jennings Trophy by allowing the fewest goals of any team's goaltenders in the National Hockey League; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' esteemed captain Jonathan Toews, in recognition of his superior 2013 regular season, was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane led the Blackhawks with 19 points in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including 3 goals and 4 points in the last 3 games of the Stanley Cup Final, thereby netting the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player to his team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' Bryan Bickell scored the tying goal in the final game with 1 minute and 16 seconds remaining in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks' Dave Bolland scored the winning goal only 17 seconds later with just 59 seconds remaining in the third and final period, the latest Stanley Cup-clinching goal scored in regulation time in the history of the National Hockey League; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' unequaled regular season produced the top overall seed for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, an advantage that culminated on Monday, June 24, 2013, when the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-2 to become 2013 Stanley Cup Champions; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks of 2013 became the fifth team in history to win the National Hockey League championship and raise Lord Stanley's Cup - the oldest, most storied trophy in professional sports - wearing the iconic Chicago Blackhawks sweater, thereby joining the other victorious teams from 1934, 1938, 1961 and 2010; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup victory was produced from the foundation of enthusiasm and desire created by Team Chairman Rocky Wirtz, Team President John McDonough, General Manager Stan Bowman, Head Coach Joel Quenneville, the Chicago Blackhawks' players, and each and every member of the Chicago Blackhawks organization; and,

WHEREAS, the Chicago Blackhawks made their second Championship contribution to the lives of the people of Illinois in the last 4 years, thereby again uniting sports fans in civic pride, as well as improving the lives of those in need and providing opportunities for the youth of Illinois through the Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund;

THEREFORE I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim Friday, June 28, 2013, to be STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS DAY in Illinois and encourage Illinois citizens to celebrate the 2013 Stanley Cup victory by our team and proudly show support of the Blackhawks at our homes, workplaces, and schools throughout the Land of Lincoln.

###

Megan Salyars has been selected to represent the United States at an International Rugby Tournament to be held August 14 to August 24, 2013 in Wales in the United Kingdom. She graduated from Central Community Schools DeWitt in 2012 where she participated in softball, volleyball, powerlifting, choir and theater. She has been awarded National and World records in her age and weight for powerlifting.

Currently, she is a sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa where she is studying Movement and Exercise Science, with minors in coaching and entrepreneurship while participating on the UNI Women's Rugby team.  As a member of the team, she has represented the University of Northern Iowa at the National 7s tournament in Houston, Texas where we placed 7th over all.

This summer, she was invited to participate in the Midwest Select Rugby Camp at Palmer College.  This camp consisted of all the top rated rugby players from the Midwest Division I Colleges. At the end of the camp, the coaches chose the top 25 players from the Midwest to participate in an International Rugby Tournament that is being hosted in Wales, United Kingdom, this year. By earning a spot on this team, she will have the opportunity to play against some of the world's best female rugby players.  It is an honor to be chosen to participate on this team.  She was recruited to play rugby at the University of Northern Iowa, and she never dreamt to love this sport so much or to be given such a wonderful opportunity.

Sadly, the International Rugby Tournament is not affiliated or sanctioned by a college or university thereby, requiring the players to be responsible for fundraising for their expenses. She is currently soliciting local businesses for financial donations to offset her $2,000 in expenses. Donations can be sent to 2587 282nd Ave DeWitt, Iowa 52742.

Thank you for your support.

Quad Cities extends winning streak to four games, wins 10th of 12 meetings with Kane County

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 22, 2013) - Jesse Wierzbicki waited until his sixth and final at-bat in the 11^th inning Friday night to extend several personal and team streaks, but he delivered a walk-off RBI single for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who completed a rally from a 5-0, seventh-inning deficit for a 6-5 win over the Kane County Cougars in front of 4,077 at Modern Woodmen Park.

The River Bandits (3-0 second half, 41-31 overall) won their fourth straight game and defeated Kane County (0-3, 30-39) for the fifth time in as many games at Modern Woodmen Park. For a second consecutive game, Quad Cities had 15 hits, with shortstop Carlos Correa and left fielder Ruben Sosa each collecting four hits to lead all players. Correa laced a one-out triple inside the first-base line with one out in the 11^th inning before Wierzbicki extended a seven-game hitting streak and 21 game on-base streak with a single to right-center field against Stephen Perakslis (1-3), who has suffered each of his losses this season against Quad Cities.

Quad Cities held Kane County to just four hits, and left-hander Colton Cain no-hit the visitors while walking one batter in the first four innings. In the fifth inning, however, he walked Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario, and first baseman Rock Shoulders doubled to left field for his team's first hit. With the infield in and one out, right fielder Reggie Golden hit a ball off the glove of shortstop Carlos Correa that went into shallow center field and brought in two runs for a 2-0 lead. Cain allowed two hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out four in five innings. Kane County extended the lead with home runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Center fielder Albert Almora drove a Jamaine Cotton pitch out to left field for a two-run shot in the sixth, and Shoulders led off the seventh with his league-high 14^th homer and a 5-0 lead. The Cougars did not record a hit the rest of the game.

After failing to score in the first six innings against left-hander Michael Heesch, the River Bandits found their offense in the seventh against right-hander Armando Rivero, making his Minor League Baseball debut. Designated Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk, and second baseman Austin Elkins homered for the second straight game to make it 5-2. Sosa, center fielder Brett Phillips and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez each singled to close within 5-3, and catcher Roberto Pena's two-out infield single trimmed the gap to 5-4.

In the ninth inning, Phillips drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a sacrifice and scored the tying run when Golden bobbled Correa's one-out single to right-center field. Right-hander Juri Perez (2 2/3 innings), and right-hander Gera Sanchez (1 1/3 innings) combined to no-hit the Cougars for the final four innings, though Quad Cities pitchers matched a season high with six walks.

Saturday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, June 23. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Sunday, June 23.

The River Bandits and Cougars will play the series finale at 5 p.m. Sunday, when Quad Cities looks for its third sweep of Kane County this season. River Bandits All-Star right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will start against Cougars right-hander Felix Pena (2-1).

UP NEXT: To celebrate "Half-way to Christmas", the River Bandits will give away three free 32" flat-screen TVs on Flat Screen Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100. The first 1,000 fans will receive free sunglasses from Mediacom for the home stand finale. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Interactive Fan Attraction to Introduce Tennis to Youth and Families across the Nation

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (June 18, 2013) - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) SmashZone Mobile Tour continues its 22-city tour run this weekend when it will be part of the Quad City Air Show in Davenport, Iowa on June 22 and 23.

SmashZone introduces youth tennis to kids and parents across the country and began as the premier fan interactive attraction at the US Open before being showcased across the country. Since its inception in 2011, SmashZone has attracted more than 2 million people to its tennis courts.

In addition to the SmashZone Mobile Tour, the Quad City Air Show is hosting the biggest World War II - theme salute air show ever. The show, which is one of the longest-running air shows in the industry, is moving back to June after being held over Labor Day weekend in 2012 to accommodate the schedule of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

SmashZone is a way to showcase tennis in a fun and interactive way by making stops at fairs, festivals, air shows, retail environments and city centers. At SmashZone, children have the opportunity to play tennis games in a fun, festive atmosphere that allows participants to get active playing tennis from the start.

"The SmashZone Mobile Tour is a great platform to bring tennis to the masses through an interactive experience," said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. "It provides an opportunity for kids to try tennis for the first time, allowing them to experience the fun and excitement that comes with playing the game."

SmashZone Mobile includes a 53-foot trailer, which anchors four kid-sized tennis courts for youth play. Courts will feature games such as Xerox Rally Court, racquet drills and activities, as well as a Target Challenge. The trailer itself, which is handicap accessible, will feature activities for visitors that will include a Tennis Magazine Green Screen Cover Shoot, Wii Tennis and Touch Screen Kiosks. SmashZone Mobile is a complement to the USTA's successful youth participation initiative, 10 and Under Tennis.

10 and Under Tennis is an ongoing effort to encourage young people to get active by playing tennis. The initiative uses modified equipment and courts tailored to a child's age and ability. By featuring shorter and lighter racquets, slower-bouncing balls, smaller courts and simplified scoring, children learn to play more quickly and easily while having more fun in the process.

# # #

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level, from local communities to the highest level of the professional game.  A not-for-profit organization with more than 770,000 members, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series, linking nine summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's national charitable foundation, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and helps underserved youth and people with disabilities. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, "like" the official Facebook page, facebook.com/usta, or follow @usta on Twitter.