For a former collegiate athlete, making it back to his college to enjoy a football game during homecoming week is a special occasion. However, being honored with a prestigious alumni award and being recognized during the football game’s pregame ceremony is extra special.

	jsc2009e224651 Astronaut Lee Archambault spends time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign during a Hometown Heroes visit.

Astronaut and veteran space flyer Lee Archambault did just that this past week on Oct. 2 and 3 when he visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1982 and 1984, respectively. During the visit Archambault spoke with students, received the College of Engineering’s Distinguished Alumni Award and was honored at the college’s hockey and football games. He appeared before a crowd of more than 60,000 students, alumni and other spectators.

“It’s fantastic to be back,” Archambault said. “I am very proud to represent NASA and share the ISS [International Space Station] story in my hometown.”

The visit started early Friday with meetings with university faculty board members and staff updating them on the happenings with NASA’s major programs of space shuttle, ISS and Constellation. This was followed by an afternoon presentation to Illini students and the local American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) chapter.

jsc2009e224652 Archambault sits for a halftime interview.

In the evening he was recognized during the hockey game between the Fightin’ Illini and the Lions of Lindenwood University. Archambault, who played as a winger and center for the Illini hockey team when he was a student, presented the team with a team jersey that he flew during his last mission as commander of STS-119. Finally, the weekend culminated with the Saturday football game against Big Ten conference rivals Penn State. During the game he presided over the pregame coin toss as well as assisted with halftime commentary and interviews with local radio stations. “The education I received at the University of Illinois directly contributed to my selection as an Air Force test pilot, which directly contributed to my selection to become an astronaut,” Archambault said.

“It’s a very unique visit,” said Dan Welin, a current Illini student. “His visit shows what one Illini student has accomplished and how important education is.”

Overall, the hometown trip gave Archambault the opportunity to return mementos he flew to the ISS during his last mission as well as thank local officials, faculty and students for their support of NASA.