Derek Oddo Photography

10/29/2024

The 2024 Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois is officially in the books! A packed house saw Bradley Braves Men's Basketball head coach Brian Wardle and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign head coach Brad Underwood headline this historic event once more.

Local broadcasting legends Jim Mattson WEEK 25 and WMBD 31's Kurt Pegler did a masterful job moderating the crowds questions and assisting in the live auction.

All funds raised from this exclusive and sold-out event goes toward various ISC Capital Improvements and Annual Grants.* These help not only improve and transform youth playing facilities across Central Illinois, but ensure youth sports in Central Illinois have the funding needed to thrive.

A special thanks to the ISC Board of Directors and Jeff Doeden for all their hard work and the continued invitation to capture such a cool event! And best of all, no hiccups with the new camera gear!

*No proceeds from this event impact the ISC Scholarship program, per NCAA regulations.

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11/11/2023

Been waiting to post these! The 2023 Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois Annual Smoker is in the books. This year brought University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign head coach Brad Underwood and Bradley Braves Men's Basketball head coach Brian Wardle together again in Peoria.

WMBD 31's Kurt Pegler and Jim Mattson WEEK 25 Sports Director were in attendance to help field the crowds questions and auction items off. All proceeds from this event help to fund ISC Capital Improvement and Annual grants.*

Fun fact: these photos are always the only official images of the event once it starts. While interviews are allowed beforehand, no video documentation is allowed once the event begins. In an era where everything is recorded, it is a refreshing way to illicit open and transparent conversation between fans and the areas top college coaches!

*No proceeds from this event impact the ISC Scholarship program, per NCAA regulations.

10/30/2022

Another year around the sun brought me the privilege to once again shoot the Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois annual Smoker. The 2022 iteration of the event brought Bradley Braves Men's Basketball head coach Brian Wardle and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign coach Brad Underwood together in Peoria, Illinois.

WMBD 31's Kurt Pegler and Jim Mattson WEEK 25 Sports Director act as moderators to fans questions. Media is not permitted to record during the event and fans are asked to keep social media posts to a minimum. This creates an exceptionally open and transparent conversation from coaches to fans and fans to coaches.

This has become an exceptionally hard sports ticket to get as the tradition grows yearly, dating back decades and through numerous coaches at both Central Illinois institutions. Their largest fundraiser of the year, the tremendous ISC organization distributes the funds raised from this event and others to area sports teams, players, and organizations through their various grants and scholarships offered.

10/29/2022

10/16/2022

We strolled out to a familiar spot for Ashley Donahoe and Adam Donahoe grabbing some fall photos for this year! We dodged discs and dealt with some unpredictable weather. In the end, we took full advantage of what turned into a nice fall evening in Central Illinois!

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10/30/2021

I had the privilege to be back behind the camera for the 25th installment of the Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois Annual Smoker.

The event pits Bradley Braves Men's Basketball head coach Brian Wardle with Fighting Illini Basketball Brad Underwood. The coaches, giving freely of their time, speak candidly about their previous and upcoming seasons and take wide ranging questions from the fans in attendance. Jim Mattson WEEK 25 Sports Director and WMBD 31's Kurt Pegler serve in the role of moderators.

All proceeds raised go to directly impact youth sports in Central Illinois. To learn more, visit www.iscpeoria.com. Membership is just $20 and gets you access to some pretty remarkable events like this one.

All proceeds from this event help fund ISC Capital Improvement and Annual Grants. No proceeds from this event impact the ISC Scholarship program, per NCAA regulations.

02/09/2020

Had the absolute privilege to photograph Chicago Cubs hall of famer Fergie Jenkins at the Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois 75th anniversary celebration. A great human being celebrating a great organization that supports youth sports across Central Illinois!

10/27/2019

A few images from the 2019 Independent Sports Club of Central Illinois Annual Smoker event.The event features Illinois coach Brad Underwood and Bradley University coach Brian Wardle helping raise funds to help support youth sports in Central Illinois.