Saint Stephen’s alums (Class of 2018) Chase and Sydney Brown, star student-athletes on the football team at the University of Illinois, were selected to throw out the honorary first pitch on Wednesday, May 25, at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago prior to the White Sox game against the Boston Red Sox.

The twin brothers were record-setters at SSES, leading the Falcons to back-to-back independent state football championships in 2016 and 2017, as well as the FHSAA Class 1A state track and field title in 2017. They have continued their success in Champaign, Ill.

Chase, a running back who transferred to Illinois after his freshman season at Western Michigan University, was an All-Big Ten Third Team selection as a sophomore in 2021. He ran for 1,005 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Illini, including a 233-yard rushing game against Penn State that was the most yards ever gained by a visiting player at Beaver Stadium. Sydney led Illinois in tackles in 2021 with 81, and added a quarterback sack, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles from his safety position. He was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. In addition to their on-field exploits, the affable Browns have also become the current face of Illinois football and are featured in the majority of the program’s marketing efforts in video, print, and social media.