CHICAGO (Aug. 10, 2023) – The UIC Department of Athletics has announced plans for the inaugural Flames Fest presented by Xfinity Sept. 22-24 at several venues across the UIC campus.
 
A celebration of UIC Athletics, Flames Fest will be headlined by the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon, scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT) Sept. 23 at the Flames Athletic Center. The seven-person Class of 2023, which was announced Aug. 1, includes six former student-athletes and a celebrated former administrator, all of whom will be recognized for their historic contributions to UIC Athletics.
 
Tickets for the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon are on sale now for $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. UIC students may also purchase tickets at a discounted rate ($10). For more information or to purchase tickets, call 312-413-UIC1 (8421).
 
"We invite all Flames fans, alumni, students, faculty, and staff to join us on campus for a sensational fall weekend of athletic events," said UIC director of athletics Michael Lipitz. "We're excited to not only host a full slate of MVC home games and welcome back letterwinners from multiple sports, but also celebrate some of our legendary Flames as we induct the Class of 2023 into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame."
 
Three UIC programs will play host to Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) opposition during Flames Fest weekend. Volleyball opens its league schedule with a pair of contests at Credit Union 1 Arena, welcoming Southern Illinois on Sept. 22 for a 6 p.m. match and entertaining Missouri State at 3 p.m. on Sept. 23.
 
The SIU match will not only be the kickoff to Flames Fest, but also serve as Academic Achievement Night, with all UIC student-athletes who recorded a 3.0 GPA or better during the Spring 2023 semester being honored for their success. The Missouri State contest will feature an Alumni Day celebration for all former Flames volleyball players in attendance.
 
Both UIC soccer programs will square off with MVC foe Drake during Flames Fest weekend. The UIC men will face the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Sept. 23, while the UIC women meet Drake at 1 p.m. Sept. 24, with both matches slated for Flames Field. Both soccer programs will also hold Alumni Day celebrations at their Flames Fest matches, while the women will include their annual Senior Day activities as part of Flames Fest.
 
Admission for all UIC volleyball and soccer matches is free. During Flames Fest weekend, fans will also have the opportunity to take part in post-game autograph sessions with their favorite Flames, and the Sept. 23 men's soccer match will feature a myriad of carnival games and activities, including cornhole, ladder ball, a sign creation station, face painting and a cotton candy machine.
 
For more information on UIC Athletics, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through Twitter (@UICFlames) and Instagram (@uicflames).