The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the Radio Voice of the Fighting Illini, during their weekly meeting Tuesday at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  

Long-time Illini Sports Network play-by-play announcer Brian Barnhart visited with Kiwanis members about doing games in the middle of the COVID pandemic, and what’s ahead for Illini football and mens’ basketball.

Barnhart said the biggest challenge in doing games this past season, was not having crowds at games, and having to do play-by-play of away games in a studio in Champaign-Urbana.

The Radio Voice of the Fighting Illini told the Kiwanis Club that new football coach Bret Bielema has impressed players and fans with his down-to-earth attitude.

Barnhart added that mens' basketball last year was exciting, and he's hoping the same will happen this season.

Illini games are heard locally on Miller Media Group radio station WSVZ Cruisin’ 98.3.