Fired up for the Flames forever

Cheering on the Flames at my first game, with my friend Erin.

When I arrived to UIC, one of the first things I wanted to do was be part of school spirit. I still remember attending my first UIC men’s basketball game and cheering alongside my friend Erin. We both decided that we wanted to be more involved with UIC Athletics, so we started meeting with their marketing team. We created efforts to bring more students to games and getting excited for every sports season.

Over the years my position and involvement with UIC Athletics changed. I went from being a student attending games, to being a part of their student organization Ring of Fire, to working for them, and even helping with their Community Assist program.

I have had the chance to help in picking out and creating the promotional items that students try to get at games. I have traveled with a bunch of students to see the men’s basketball compete. And I have had the chance to work at the recently built Curtis Granderson Stadium, which, by the way, has an amazing view from the press box.

Throughout my journey with them, I have met some amazing people who really understand our campus, students and the efforts of our student athletes. I’m really glad that I have met them all and continue to have them in my life as friends and co-workers. Glad they took a chance on the two recent arrivals to UIC, back three years ago.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this; go to a UIC athletic event. You may follow a different path than I did or become even more involved than I was. No matter the case it’s something that every UIC student, every college student, needs to do in their college career. So go ahead rally before the game, bring friends, grab the free giveaway item, and cheer until you lose your voice (it’s happened a lot to me).

Hope to see you at the next game!

Kris Fuentes Cortes is a senior in communication, a Boston native, an active student around campus, and a dreamer of working in the world of music. She wants to become a tour manager for a band and travel internationally while she’s still young. She’s the assistant marketing director for UIC Radio.