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Illini to train in Rantoul ... for soccer

There'll be a Camp Rantoul next month after all.

While the Illinois football team won’t hold preseason training camp at the former Chanute Air Force Base this August, the Illinois soccer team will head north for a week-long stay in Rantoul, the school announced on Thursday.

The Illini will conduct a seven-day preseason camp from Aug. 5-12, staying at the Quarters Inn and eating its meals at the Linden, much like the UI football team did for almost two decades.

Lovie Smith decided to end the tradition of sending Illinois football teams to Rantoul this past spring and instead hold preseason practices on the UI campus, but soccer coach Janet Rayfield doesn’t seem to mind sending her Illini up U.