Sports

Sports Galore!

The amount of sporting opportunities that ILLINOISouth offers is quite astounding. For folks who want to work up a sweat and compete with their peers, there are several venues and sports to choose from. We’re talking everything from hockey and baseball to pickleball and disc golf. If you’re more of a spectator and just enjoy watching the action – there are many places to do that too!

We’ll start off with a venue where you can be both a spectator and a competitor. World Wide Technology Raceway is arguably the most popular sporting facility in southern Illinois, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and racers a year. The track plays host to INDYCAR, NHRA, NASCAR Truck Series, and new in 2022 - the NASCAR Cup Series! The cup race is slated for June 5th, and believe us when we tell you, the place will be ELECTRIC! If smaller, hometown racing on a dirt track is more your speed (pun intended), look up Wayne County Speedway. The 1/8th mile clay oval provides for fast-paced action and receives high praise from both drivers and fans.

In St. Clair County there are three facilities in short proximity to one another that really cater to families who love to be involved in sports. The O’Fallon Family Sports Park is a premier facility that has a little bit of everything. The lighted baseball, softball, and soccer fields are all top-notch and host tournaments for the majority of the year, depending on the season. Families come from all over the Midwest so their children can compete in a variety of tournaments. The O’Fallon Family Sports Park also features a running path and a free splash pad for families to enjoy. For folks who are more into hockey and swimming, the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O’Fallon is worth a visit. This facility has an amazing ten-lane competition pool and two NHL sized hockey rinks that can be used for free skates, hockey games, and more.

Another indoor facility right down the road in Fairview Heights has enough activities to keep you entertained for the whole day! The Rec has a room right off of their aquatic center built specifically for families hosting birthday parties. Speaking of the aquatic center, it features a lazy river – which is obviously a fan favorite! Another unique feature of the Rec is their Clip ‘n Climb equipment which is an instant memory maker for children and adults alike. “We brought our three oldest grandkids here to have fun, it was our first visit,” explains Michelle Verity. “The three young men working at the Clip ‘n Climb were extremely kind, courteous, and patient. They interacted and encouraged the kids to keep climbing and told them they were doing great. They were so nice to the kids and even called them by their names. The kids thought that was pretty cool,” Verity adds.

The Clip ‘n Climb at The Rec in Fairview Heights is a huge hit with kiddos

Photo Credit: The Rec

If baseball and softball pique your interest, there is an 18,000 square foot venue in Centralia that attracts thousands of folks a year. The Gaetti Sports Academy is named for Centralia native and former MLB player Gary Gaetti and offers a wide variety of services. There are constantly different camps and clinics at the indoor facility, which boasts HitTrax technology – a system that uses analytics to help athletes refine their game. This awesome space can also be rented out for birthday parties, private events, and for team building opportunities!

When it comes to golf there is no shortage in our 21-county territory. There are so many places to tee off, it’s impossible to mention them all! One course that is noteworthy because of its option to play at night is Yorktown Golf Course in Shiloh. The 18-hole par three course is completely lighted, so you can keep playing when the sun goes down! For folks who are closer to our Eastern Region, the Quail Creek Country Club in Robinson has an amazing 18hole PGA Championship course and a 34-room resort complete with room service, a restaurant, a swimming pool and more! For some of the most reasonable rates you’ll find anywhere, head to the Carmi Country Club. The 9-hole course plays pretty tight with a total par of 35 and the best part is, a non-member with a cart will only pay eight bucks!

There are also a handful of non-traditional sports that have really grown in popularity in our area as well. Disc golf is one of those sports, with new courses and tournaments popping up seemingly all the time! Many disc golf players have no problem hitting the road to drive for hours to play in tournaments. There are upwards of 20 different courses to play in ILLINOISouth, from Sheve Park Disc Golf Course in Mascoutah all the way to Wabash Run in Grayville. Much like traditional golf, all of these courses are different and provide their own challenges!

Staying on the theme of sports that are picking up a lot of momentum, we have to mention pickleball, right? There are over a dozen communities in ILLINOISouth that have pickleball leagues, and now dedicated pickleball courts are popping up. Mt. Carmel recently opened a brand new pickleball facility which features six lighted courts to play at day and night.

Mark skydiving off your bucket list at Gateway Skydiving Center in Greenville

Photo Credit: Gateway Skydiving Center

Thrill seekers might want to pay attention to these next two sports. If you have ever wanted to jump out of a plane, the Gateway Skydiving Center in Greenville is the place to do it! This is a second-generation family-operated skydiving center with over 60 years of skydiving experience. Jumps are made from up to 10,500 above Carlyle Lake. If skydiving is something you have had on your bucket list for a while, now is your chance to do it! Another thrilling adventure can be found in Millstadt, but this one doesn’t require a free fall. Xtreme Paintball Park has no shortage of options for folks that need a little heart-pumping fun! Choose from paintball, airsoft, and laser tag for all ages and abilities. This 25-acre facility features 11 different playing fields to choose from and hosts everything from youth groups to bachelorette parties.

Xtreme Paintball Park has 25 acres worth activities including paintball, airsoft, and laser tag

Photo Credit: Xtreme Paintball Park

There is a sporting event in Du Quoin each July that attracts folks from across the entire country. Families with limb-different children mark their calendars each year for the NubAbility All Sports Camp. This camp gives children who are missing a limb from either birth or an accident a chance to spend quality time with other limb-different children who are exactly like them! Over a five day span these kids can participate in anything from archery and tennis to golf and baseball at the NubAbility All Sports Camp. “We always tell people that NubAbility is our weekend of normal,” explains Trey Senney, who makes the trek to Du Quoin from Cleveland, Ohio each year for his limbdifferent son. “It’s almost like going to a family reunion every year where you relax, hang out, and have a good time with people who are in the same situation as you.” •

The NubAbility All Sports Camp gives limb-different children the opportunity to try a wide array of activities

For more information on sporting events, activities, and sporting venues visit ILLINOISouth.org.