EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The 26th annual Jack Blake Award Ceremony will take place Oct. 18 at the Venue at Park Plaza.

A cocktail reception begins at 5 p.m. with dinner and awards presentation beginning at 5:30. Dinner will be provided by Bella Milano in Edwardsville.

Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner, hosted beer, wine and soda. Tickets may be purchased online here.

Jake Blake played for the Cougars from 1968-1970 was one of SIUE's first-ever All-Americans in men's soccer and also was a member of the U.S. Olympic pool of players ahead of the 1972 Olympics.

The Blake award is SIUE men's soccer's most prestigious award and is given to the most well-rounded player displaying strong character, dedication, leadership, fitness and intensity on and off the field. The honor is presented to the student-athlete that best embodies the qualities that defined the SIUE Hall of Famer.

The team also will present the Tim Tighe SIUE Soccer Alumni Service and Leadership award to the most outstanding SIUE men's soccer alumnus.

The Tim Tighe service and leadership honor was introduced in 2017 to recognize contributions of outstanding soccer alumni that demonstrate the following:

• Exemplary leadership, engagement and service to the game and/or program
• Efforts with meaningful impact on campus or in the community
• Commitment to legacy of SIUE soccer