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History will be made Saturday, May 7, in Macomb! The first-ever "Foos for Families," a human foosball tournament, will be held from 1-7:30 p.m. in Veterans Park. Coordinated by students in the Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA), in partnership with the Macomb Park District, the event will serve as a fundraiser for the Center for Youth and Family Solutions in Macomb.
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WIU RPTA Coordinating First-Ever Human Foosball Tourney/Fundraiser in Macomb

May 2, 2016

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May 7 Tournament Provides Hands-On Event Planning Experience for WIU Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Students

MACOMB, IL — History will be made Saturday, May 7, in Macomb! The first-ever "Foos for Families," a human foosball tournament, will be held from 1-7:30 p.m. in Veterans Park. Coordinated by students in the Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA), in partnership with the Macomb Park District, the event will serve as a fundraiser for the Center for Youth and Family Solutions in Macomb.

According to RPTA Assistant Professor Jeremy Robinett, students in his RPTA 467, "Event Planning and Management," course this semester are helping to plan and promote the event and will provide labor during the tourney, which will involve three foosball fields and three age-group brackets.

"I think this event is a bit unique, in that we're working with all of the different economic sectors, private, public and non-profit, which doesn't always happen. For the students, this event provides a great case study about how partnerships can be formed," Robinett explained.

Ameren Illinois is the corporate sponsor of "Foos for Families." Other local organizations—including Pepsi, Kent & Debby Seifert, Bottled Water by RNJ Distribution, Macomb Citizens Bank, Greg Mason Construction, Cassady Martial Arts Academy, Depoy Auto Services, Engraving by Lin, FYI and R.P. Lumber—are also sponsoring the tourney.

Carrie Depoy, youth, family and outreach supervisor for the Center for Youth and Family Solutions and an instructor in the WIU Department of Health Sciences and Social Work, said the event will raise funds for and awareness about the needs of families in the community.

"Specifically, this event will help us raise funds for things like school supplies, winter coats, activity fees, haircuts and hygiene products, medications not covered under prescription plans and many other everyday needs," she noted.

Cost is $50 per team (eight people maximum, six individuals minimum), and registration is available via the Macomb Park District website at macombparkdistrict.com/event/foos-families/.

Tournament play will begin at 1 p.m. (May 7) and conclude with a championship game at 7 p.m. The tourney features three brackets: youth (8-12 years), teen (13-18 years) and adult (19 and older). The championship game will feature the winner of the youth bracket against the winner of the teen and adult brackets.

"Each team will have the opportunity to play at least two games. Our goal is to have at least 24 teams," Depoy added.

According to Robinett, staff at the Macomb Park District will be constructing each foosball field out of pallets. The idea, he noted, was courtesy of Rachel Lenz, superintendent of facilities and special events, Macomb Park District.

"We were talking about a variety of opportunities, and Rachel said, 'What about foosball?' It fit so perfectly, because I want our students to get practical experience actually planning events for their communities. This tourney will provide them with a great, hands-on learning experience," he explained. "It's also going to be great for community members, even if they're not playing on a team. We'll have food vendors and games for attendees to play between the foosball matches, too."

For more information (including more information about brackets and tourney rules or about sponsorship opportunities), contact Robinett at (309) 298-2817 or via email at JL-Robinett@wiu.edu. Individuals interested in more information about team registration, contact Lenz at (309) 833-4562.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing