Nov. 28, 2007
Elgin, Ill. - A new era in softball has come to Elgin and become a part of Judson University. The Chicago Bandits have announced that they will move their professional softball team to Elgin and will play the 2008, 2009, and 2010 seasons on the campus of Judson University.
"This is a big day for the Judson University athletic department. This is something of a dream that has come along and here we are today," says Judson Director of Athletics Nancy Smith. "Thank you to the city of Elgin for trusting Judson and giving us a chance and for spending the time to make this work. I want to thank Mike Powers for putting his heart and soul into this project. He has been so passionate to make this happen. Thank you Bill (Sokolis) and Bill (Conroy) for investing in Judson and believing in us as well. We are going to make Elgin and the Bandits really proud."
The Chicago Bandits will begin play at Judson in the middle of May and will then play the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Judson. The City of Elgin would like to have a state-of-the-art stadium built for the Bandits by the 2011 season. The Bandits are moving from Benedictine University and the city of Lisle where they have played the last three seasons.
"Elgin is truly excited to bring professional sports to the region and we hope to build this endeavor into something much larger," says Elgin councilman Mike Powers. "We could not have gotten this start without the help of Judson University. I look forward to a very positive relationship in the coming months."
The city of Elgin and Bill Conroy, general manager and owner, have plans to revamp the Judson softball field. The construction will start shortly and will feature a new field, new dugouts, a press box, and seating for up to 2000 people.
President Dr. Jerry Cain says, "We are glad to have the Bandits at Judson University. We are very eager to be working with the city of Elgin and the Bandits. I can hardly wait to bring my children and grand children to this kind of environment. It is going to be stimulating. It is going to be fun. It is going to be fan friendly. Thank you city of Elgin and thank you Bandits for letting us be your temporary home for three years."
This three-year partnership will help benefit the Judson softball program in part to the new facility. The new facility will be one of the best in the Midwest and the Chicagoland area.
"So much work has gone on behind the scenes and we are just so grateful to the city and the Bandits that they are believing in us as a University and what we can do out there," says head softball coach Becky Bruns. "This is just a huge opportunity for Judson softball. You can see the smiles on my players faces as they are super excited about this. This a huge recruiting tool for us as well to push us forward for future teams and I am thankful for that."
The Chicago Bandits will have a media day in the future to announce their schedule and promotions that will be going on for the 2008 season. The Bandits are heading into their fourth season in the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch) and have made the playoffs two of the three seasons.
