Founded in 1996, the Old Siwash Prairie Fire Athletic Club is an independent Illinois not-for-profit corporation promoting the success of athletics at Knox College. The club's primary goals are to:

Board of Directors
Matt Doye (President)	Carmel, IN
Dan Calandro	Indianapolis, IN
Allison (Doye) Cottrell	Moline, IL
Norm Hillner	Arlington Heights, IL
Gary Jacobson	Carmel, IN
John Janicik (Advisory Member)	Clarendon Hills, IL
Harley Knosher	Galesburg, IL
George J. Matkov	Chicago, IL
Cara Novy	Chicago, IL
Vern Stisser	Galesburg, IL
Jim Valentine	Chicago, IL

For more information about the Old Siwash Prairie Fire Athletic Club, please contact Matt Doye '98 by e-mail or at 317-916-2215.

Supporting Knox Athletics
For the sixth consecutive year, the Old Siwash Prairie Fire Athletic Club donated $20,000 to the athletics department to help enhance the experience of Knox student-athletes by helping fund baseball, softball, and men's tennis team trips to Florida and the men's golf team trip to Texas in March. All other teams received additional funding to help purchase uniforms, warm-ups, and special equipment.  The Club also provided money to sponsor a reception following a home basketball game for the seven winter sports teams and their families.

"We continue to be very thankful for the Club's support. The Club's financial support enables us to continue providing a quality experience for our student-athletes," says Knox College Director of Athletics Chad Eisele.

What People are Saying
"Having been at Knox for almost 40 years, my teams continue to hear all the old stories about players from the past. It is a thrill for me to have those players as members of the Old Siwash Prairie Fire Athletic Club remain a part of Knox athletics."

—Tim Heimann, Head Men's Basketball Coach

—Andy Gibbons, Head Football Coach

Contributions Made by the Old Siwash Prairie Fire Athletic Club
Prior to 2001:

• Produced special materials and established a process and network for recruiting prospective student-athletes.
• Sponsored spring traveling costs to Florida for the women's softball teams (1997, 1998 and 1999).
• Purchased headset equipment for the football team.
• Provided housing for the Lithuanian Basketball team during its visit to Galesburg to play the Knox men's basketball team.
• Purchased banners for Memorial Gymnasium celebrating past conference champions.
• Provided financial support to celebrate 100th anniversary of men's basketball at Knox College.
• Purchased ultrasonic and heat therapy equipment for the athletic training department.
• Sponsored and produced nationwide live telecast of the 1997 and 1999 Knox/Monmouth football games and arranged for 32 telecast parties coast-to-coast for alumni, parents and friends of the College.

On-Going:

• Host receptions at Chicago area football and basketball games for alumni, students and parents (since 1996).
• Host outdoor cookouts at homecoming for alumni, students and friends of the College (since 1997).
• Host the annual fall Siwash Athletic Club Golf Outing (since1996).
• Provide special gifts to Knox/Lombard Hall of Fame inductees (since 1998).
• Cover the $450 printing cost for the tickets for the athletics department Prairie Fire Raffle (2001-04).
• Provide annual $20,000 contribution for use by teams to offset expenses for spring trips, other special trips and special needs (since 2001).

Additional support provided during the 2002-03 academic year:

• Paid for Prairie Fire logo to be painted on walls of the lobby of Memorial Gymnasium ($450).
• Purchased new picture frames for lobby of Memorial Gymnasium ($100).
• Paid to refurbish MVP trophies for six women's sports teams ($240).
• Purchased two new video cameras, carrying cases, tripods batteries and chargers ($1,000).
• Purchased Knox Flag for the Bowl ($30).
• Purchased U.S. Flag and flagpole for soccer and baseball fields ($280).
• Paid for advertisement for "community day" for Knox vs. St. Norbert football game ($80).
• Purchased a used "Colorado Timing System" for the Knox swimming pool ($500).
• Sponsored post-game reception for families of the men's and women's basketball teams ($870).
• Sponsored locker room renovation project ($35,000).

Additional support provided during the 2003-04 academic year:

• Purchased "Welcome to the Knox Bowl" sign ($300).
• Purchased "Welcome to the T. Fleming Fieldhouse" sign ($425).
• Purchased "Home of the Prairie Fire" sign for the T. Fleming Fieldhouse ($440).
• Sponsored gift bag and reception for August 1 Summer Open House reception ($1,250).
• Sponsored post-game reception for winter sports teams, their families and alums ($750).

Additional support provided during the 2004-05 academic year:

• Purchased "Home of the Prairie Fire Volleyball" sign for Memorial Gymnasium ($300).
• Sponsored gift bag and reception for August 1 Summer Open House reception ($1,250).
• Sponsored athletic department calendar fundraising project ($400).
• Sponsored post-game reception for winter sports teams, their families and alums ($750).