PEORIA, Ill. -- The Bradley Soccer team invites the community to celebrate its record-breaking 2007 season at its annual postseason banquet, and with plans to generate the necessary dollars to fully endow a scholarship at Bradley University, the event has been dedicated as the Danny Dahlquist Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser. The banquet will be held Saturday, April 19, 2008 at the new Embassy Suites East Peoria - Hotel and Conference Center.
The Braves annually host their postseason banquet in conjunction with a home spring soccer game and the event typically draws approximately 125 friends, family and staff. Modeled partially after the annual men's and women's basketball postseason banquets, this year's soccer event is being co-marketed by the Bradley Braves Club. Veteran voice of Bradley Basketball Dave Snell will serve as the program emcee and will produce a season highlight video, while DeRose and his staff will present the squad's annual team awards, as well as all of the school, conference, regional and national awards accumulated by the team during the record-breaking 2007 season. In addition, the soccer program will unveil its 2007 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight t-shirts and freelance photographer Bob Hunt will have images available for purchase at the banquet.
Individual tickets are $30 and tables of 10 are available for $250 and both may be purchased through the Bradley Braves Club Office, temporarily located at Shea Stadium (309-677-2667). Individuals unable to attend the fundraiser banquet, but interested in making a donation to the Danny Dahlquist Memorial Fund may do so by calling the Braves Club Office.
The 2007 Bradley Soccer season began in tragedy with the Aug. 12 death of redshirt freshman Danny Dahlquist, the eldest son of longtime Bradley University employees Craig and Tricia Dahlquist. The Braves overcame the tragedy on the field and rallied for the most successful season in program history, finishing with a school-record 16 wins, sweeping the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and postseason tournament titles and earning the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament wins en route to the national quarterfinals.
DeRose reports donations received throughout the year to benefit the Danny Dahlquist Memorial Fund have reached approximately $15,000. An additional $15,000 is required to sustain both the memorial and endowed portions of the fund.
