Sophomore Kahlilah Cooke models her new school spirit T-shirt. Gargoyle photos (click to enlarge)

A look at the customized "UNI" punch.

URBANA — Attending Uni sporting events just got easier thanks to Student Council and some sharp-looking orange T-shirts.

By purchasing one of StudCo's recently arrived athletics spirit shirts for $20, students will be let into any Uni High home sporting event for free, and all profits from the shirts will go toward the athletic department.

In addition, faculty may purchase the Orange Edition T-shirt for $10, and as always, faculty get into games free of charge.

Parents may purchase the Blue Edition T-shirts for $10, and the money raised will also go directly to the athletic department. The Blue Edition of the shirt, however, does not gain parents free admissions.

Students, parents, and faculty have ordered more than 70 of the shirts, which arrived at the main office last week.

Some extra shirts are available immediately, and if there is enough interest, Student Council will order another batch of shirts. If you are interesting in purchasing one, you may contact executive secretary/treasurer Natsuki Nakamura.

If you ordered a shirt, you won't be able to pick it up until you have paid. Nakamura and Uni accountant Lisa Castor (in the main office) will be accepting payment for the shirts. If you wish to pay by check, it should be made out to "University of Illinois." Shirts that are not paid for in a timely fashion may be sold to someone else.

Along with the T-shirts, Student Council is launching its brand new Athletic Rewards Program, a free program available to students that aims to encourage student attendance athletic events. Punch cards are now available for any student who attends Uni High sporting events.

Each time a cardholder attends a 2008-09 athletic competition, the card receives a customized punch in the shape of the letters "UNI." No other kind of punch is valid. One punch will be given for a home game, and two for an away game. According to the official rules:

Credit for home games and events must be received at the point of admissions for the game or event. Credit for away games or events will be awarded provided suitable proof of attendance. Suitable proof of attendance is subject to the sole discretion of the athletic department or Student Council; however, they may include: photos depicting you at the event or visual acknowledgment of your presence at the event.

When a card has eight punches, it can be entered into end-of-season and end-of-year raffles. The raffle prizes have yet to be determined.

On Nov. 20, Student Council approved $600 for the raffle prizes. Students who are athletes in season can enter the raffles if they attend four athletic events, excluding the sport they are currently involved in.

Executive president Isaac Chambers said he hopes "the cards will encourage students to attend games," and added, "We want to reward people for showing school spirit and supporting Uni's athletic programs."