DECATUR, Ill. – The Millikin University football team has been getting a workout during the groups first few fall practices ahead of their 2023 season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Illinois College in Jacksonville.
The team, along with Greek Life students and Millikin Student Experience Ambassadors, got some more reps in on Tuesday as they lent a hand to the newly arriving Millikin students coming to campus to kick off New Student Welcome Week.
Junior offensive lineman Croix Covington was among the players stationed outside of Dolson Hall, ready to grab a suitcase or haul a big box out of an SUV.
“Today has been a good day. I got a full workout in with all of it. I’ve moved some fridges, furniture and even some clothes,” Croix said. “It was an experience, and it is great to help the Millikin community in any sort of way. Getting to help some new students come in was a fantastic experience.”
The Big Blue players were spread out to help new arrivals at Dolson Hall, the New Halls and the Woods. It was another opportunity for the team to continue to build team bonds.
“Team building is the No. 1 thing that we think about. We don’t want to just simply be a team. We want to be brothers everywhere we go,” Croix said. “I’m so glad the coaches emphasize that and team building.”
Croix is excited to return to the football field and has seen good progress with the team during the early workouts. He also has high hopes that the group will take a step forward from last season’s 4-6 mark.
“It’s been going well, and I’ve been sore from our practices. We are getting the ball rolling, and I’m so excited and fired up to be able to play for another year. I think we will surprise some people this year,” Croix said. “Our chemistry is growing every day and everybody is constantly pushing each other. When we feel like we can’t go any further, someone is on our shoulders telling us that we can go one more rep. It is so good to have people like that. I think we are going to be great this year.”
New Student Welcome Week continues the rest of this week until Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 21.
Wednesday’s events include an outdoor team-building event on the Quad and Thursday is the ADM/Millikin Day of Service. The Day of Service sends the first-year students, staff and alumni out in the Decatur community to work on community service projects. Friday evening features a foam party, tye dye and sand volleyball event on the Quad and events wrap up on Sunday with the Opening Convocation at 7 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
Millikin opens the CCIW football schedule on Sat., Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. at home against Washington University in St. Louis. The Big Blue host Illinois Wesleyan University on Sat., Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. during Millikin’s Homecoming Celebration.
