For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0687
dbray@stlouissports.org

ONE MORE TIME!

MISSOURI-ILLINOIS FOOTBALL TICKETS ON SALE

MIZZOU AND ILLINOIS PLAYERS AVAILABLE TO MEDIA DURING LUNCHTIME FAN FEST IN KIENER PLAZA

ST. LOUIS – July 15, 2003 – Tickets for the 2003 Missouri-Illinois State Farm Showdown go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday (July 16). Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. Fans can purchase tickets by phone at 314-241-1888, 618-222-2900 or 866-646-8849; online at www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/> ; or in-person at all Ticketmaster ticket outlets, including Famous-Barr, Blue Note Sports Shops, select Schnucks Video Clubs, and Streetside Records.

Ticket prices are $50, $35, $30 and $15. Prices are unchanged from the 2002 game. Group tickets – for groups of 20 or more – are available by calling 314-342-5244. This number is for group tickets only.

Mizzou and Illinois meet one more time in St. Louis. The final game of their two-year series is set for Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Edward Jones Dome. Kickoff time is 11 a.m. The game will be televised by ABC Sports. Last year, the Tigers defeated the Illini 33-20 in the schools’ season opener. The match-up drew 61,876 fans and featured a breakout performance by then-freshman quarterback Brad Smith. The All-American candidate will be back in St. Louis to lead Mizzou, which is ranked in the Top 25 of several preseason polls. Meanwhile, Illinois coach Ron Turner has his squad poised to once again battle for the Big Ten title – with several local players ready to make an impact.

Those local standouts will be part of a fan fest and pep rally marking the start of ticket sales Wednesday. "Kickoff at Kiener," hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission – the organizers of the Missouri-Illinois Football Series – will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cornerback Terrence Curry (Kirkwood), offensive lineman Rob Droege (Lindbergh), defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison (Parkway South) and offensive lineman Cliff Young (Riverview Gardens) will represent the Tigers; fullback Carey Davis (Hazelwood Central), fullback Jason Davis (Lindbergh), wide receiver Mark Kornfeld (SLUH), linebacker Antonio Mason (Pattonville) and linebacker Matt Sinclair (SLUH) will represent the Illini.

Mizzou and Illinois cheerleaders, band members, and Truman the Tiger will also be on hand. The event will feature autograph opportunities, music, games and giveaways for fans. The student-athletes in attendance will address the crowd and media at 12:30 p.m.

Information on the Missouri-Illinois Football Series is on the Web at www.stlouissports.org <http://www.stlouissports.org/> . Fans visiting the site can access ticket details, hotel specials and a schedule of events taking place around the State Farm Showdown that will create a bowl-like atmosphere inside the Dome and throughout downtown St. Louis. Surrounding activities include the Cardinals-Cubs game on Thursday, Aug. 28, the FOX Sports Net Kickoff Luncheon on Friday, Aug. 29, the Budweiser Tailgate Party and university pep rallies on gameday, and the Big Muddy Blues Festival at Laclede’s Landing throughout the Labor Day weekend.

The 2003 State Farm Showdown is presented by AT&T Wireless. Supporting sponsors include Bud Light, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, LaSalle Bank, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Missouri-Illinois Football Series is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission.

MEDIA NOTE: Credentials for the 2003 Missouri-Illinois State Farm Showdown will be issued through the University of Illinois Athletic Public Relations department. Please fax credential requests to Cassie Arner, Illinois associate sports information director, at 217-333-5540.