Fun gift ideas, exciting new events, and amazing athletes! Have fun reading the newsletter this week in preparation for the Christmas season!

This holiday season, give the athlete in your life an unforgettable gift: personalized sports lessons from top college athletes through Top Tier Lessons. With just a click, you can book one-on-one sessions in sports like swimming, soccer, baseball, basketball and softball. Top Tier Lessons manages scheduling, venues, payments, and safety, ensuring a seamless experience. Starting at just $30, these lessons offer more than skill development; they provide mentorship and role models for young athletes. By booking through Top Tier Lessons, you support local college athletes and give your child a personalized experience focused on building confidence and honing skills.

Click HERE to purchase a gift card!

Which of the following is true about the NCAA’s rules for amateurism and eligibility for Division I athletes?

A) Division I athletes can receive unlimited financial benefits from outside sources as long as it doesn’t interfere with their practice schedule.
B) Athletes must maintain amateur status, meaning they cannot have accepted payment for their athletic ability or performance prior to enrolling in college.
C) Division I athletes can sign professional contracts before they graduate college and still maintain eligibility for NCAA competitions.
D) Athletes can accept sponsorship deals from professional teams while still competing in NCAA sports, as long as the sponsorship does not exceed a certain dollar amount.

This week, our soccer coach at The University of Illinois, Coach Alyssa, is in the spotlight! Check out her bio below and book your next lesson by going to our website

Introducing, Alyssa Weede!

“As an (almost) senior at the University of Illinois and midfield player for the university team, I offer tailored soccer coaching for individuals and small groups. With experience in both training and playing, I can adapt sessions to meet your specific goals, whether it's skill development or match strategy. I'll be available on campus throughout the summer to help players of all levels enhance their game. Let's work together to elevate your soccer skills and achieve your goals on the field!”

Book Your Lesson With Alyssa Now!

Snow Day Crafts

The Champaign Public Library is hosting a DIY kids Snowy Day Craft event at the Douglass Branch Library. They will be having fun winter-themed crafts that kids will love! The event is on Wednesday, December 4th, from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Checkout the Champaign Public Library calendar to learn more!

Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker

The North Shore Center is hosting the Salt Creek Ballet for their production of The Nutcracker! Come enjoy the journey of Clara as she travels through waltzing flowers, sugar plum fairies, and more. This is a production that the whole family can enjoy! They are performing on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th, tickets start at $28.

Checkout their Website to learn more and buy tickets!

Winter is here and so is the holiday season! With the holiday season comes lots of breaks from school and from sports. During this time it is still important for young athletes to get exercise while continuing to grow in skills that will help them do their best in their sport. So here are three activities that your young athlete can do during the winter that helps them to get moving, be outside, and build skills that will help them succeed in their sport.

Click HERE to read more!

Based originally in Champaign, Illinois and quickly expanding across the rest of the Midwest, we at Top Tier make it our goal to connect you and your kids to high quality and successful college athletes across every playing field. We are currently offering lessons for several different sports from an array of elite college athletes. As college sports are expanding and becoming more popular throughout the country, we want to guarantee our customers can benefit from this great opportunity to receive quality training with flexible times. Check out our website to learn more.

The correct answer is B! (source: ChatGPT)