Tom Lysiak (Black Hawks) - 12/3/11 - Steven's Collectibles, Countryside, IL

Black Hawk fan favorite from the 1980's, Tom Lysiak took time out on Saturday to meet with fans and sign autographs at Steven's Collectibles in Countryside. Not only was Mr. Lysiak early, but stayed late to accomodate a fan that was running late due to traffic. A great guy and class act. Thanks Tom!

CSAC All-Star and Hall of Fame members walked away with free autographs and more than a few good stories from the good ole days!

CSAC also announced today that a former teammate of Tom's and also a fan favorite, Murray Bannerman will be CSAC's next guest on Jan. 21st at The Baseball Card King! in Oak Lawn. Reserve your tickets now, it will be BIG!

Roberto Garza (Bears) - 11/28/11 - Verizon Wireless Store, Elmhurst, IL

Another report from CSAC member Shane:

This evening, my wife and I braved a cold line outside of the new Verizon Wireless store in Elmhurst to get a chance to meet current Bears center, Roberto Garza.  Once inside, we spoke with Roberto for a bit and congratulated him on a great season so far.  He made time to sign everyone's items and was great about posing for pictures with everyone who asked.

Send us your photos and reports from events you learn about on CSAC!

Alex Brown (Bears) - 11/19/11 - Jewel/Osco, Oak Forest, IL

Report from Shane, a member of CSAC:

I had the chance to stop into the Jewel/Osco in Oak Forest and chat with Bears veteran, Alex Brown for a bit.  We talked a bit about podcasting and the show that he's been doing with Desmond Clark every week at the Playbook Lounge in Niles.  Alex was kind enough to sign a few items and was a pleasure to meet!

Gabe Carimi (Bears) - 10/30/11 - Dick's Sporting Goods, Naperville, IL

Blog event submission from, Shane, a valued CSAC member:

While my wife and I weren't able to make it to catch Earl Bennett on Saturday, we did stop in at Dick's Sporting Goods in Naperville on a rainy Sunday afternoon and chat with Gabe Carimi.  Nice guy - very willing to sign several items!

We welcome everyone's submissions, so if you're going out to an event that you found on CSAC, we would love to hear about it....and don't forget to snap a photo or two!

www.csac.biz

Dan Hampton - 10/29/11 - Jim & Steve's Sportscards, Waukegan, IL

The crowd started gathering early on a bright, sunny Saturday morning as Hall Of  Famer and Bears legend Dan Hampton made his way to Jim & Steve's. Entering the store to a hefty applause, the affable former defensive tackle and Superbowl XX champion greeted those in line and didn't stop chatting, talking football and sharing stories from the past for the next two hours. Everyone left with an autograph and a smile.

Next up at Jim & Steve's, a rare store '85 Bear store appearance in late November. CSAC will have details very shortly, so check the calendar at www.csac.biz!

Johnny Knox - 10/29/11 - Phillips Chevrolet, Frankfort

One of many CSAC members that showed up at Phillips Chevrolet in Frankfort for a Johnny Knox appearance, sent us this picture. After a long wait in line, many walked away with a signed souvenir from the talented wide-receiver!

Donnell Woolford - 10/22/11 - The Baseball Card King!, Oak Lawn, IL

Bears fans young and old came out to the Baseball Card King! in Oak Lawn on Saturday to meet former Bear and fan favorite Donnell Woolford. Donnell returned to the Chicago area to participate in some charity events and to reconnect with his Chicago fans. Photos, mini helmets, posters and banners were signed and everyone had a great time!

CSAC was on hand as usual, signing up new and return members at 10% off. One lucky member pulled a limited edition promo card signed by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson at this event! This is the second Frank Robinson signed card in the last few weeks we have given away to someone who signed up for membership at one of our remote events!

You too can become one of many happy collectors by coming out to our next remote sign up event which will be this Saturday, October 29th at Jim & Steve's in Waukegan for the Dan Hampton signing. Hope to see you there! www.csac.biz.

Nick Reed - 10/11/11 - The Baseball Card King!, Oak Lawn, IL

After a tough loss on Monday night vs the Lions in Detroit, it would have been reasonable for Nick to take Tuesday off and rest up for the Vikings on Sunday night, but no...Nick spent his Tuesday evening with Bears fans and collectors at The Baseball Card King! in Oak Lawn, signing autographs and discussing how to get the Bears back on track.

Next up at the King! Donnell Woolford on Oct. 22nd. Come on out and meet one of the most popular former Bears at a rare appearance!

Thomas Sanders - 10/08 - The Baseball Card King!, Oak Lawn, IL

Fresh off a trip to Washington and a meeting with the President, '85 Bear Thomas Sanders took time to stop by The Baseball Card King! in Oak Lawn to greet fans, chat about the SBXX Champions and the White House trip....oh and to sign some autographs too!

Many more signings planned at the King!, be sure to check the CSAC calendar for all the details!

CSAC to set up at Nov. Sun Times show

CSAC will once again be setting up our display at the 43rd Annual Sun-Times Sports Collectors Convention November 18th-20th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. We will have our 10% off promotion running all weekend and of course our signed card grab bag, a few give-aways and more! So come on out to the show, there will be dozens of big-name autograph sessions and some great memorabilia on sale. Here is a short video of an interview we gave at last years show:

Mike Vail - 10/1/11 - The Baseball Card King! (new store in Oak Lawn)

 Former Cub Mike Vail made a rare appearance in this area when he surfaced at The Baseball Card King!'s new store in Oak Lawn for a signing. This store will also host CSAC's next signing with Chicago Bear defensive end Nick Reed on Oct. 11th. Tickets as usual are free for CSAC All-Star and HOF members with the others priced at $15 in advance, $20 day of. Tickets available at www.csac.biz or at the store.

Caleb Hanie - 10/1/11 - AU Sports in Niles

 

Fans and collectors, young and old, were excited to meet Chicago Bears' quarterback Caleb Hanie today at AU Sports in Niles. Caleb signed autographs, chatted about the Bears and his days in Texas, and took some pictures. For future signings to be held at AU Sports, be sure to follow our calendar at www.csac.biz.

Starlin Castro - 9/29/11 - Jim and Steve's Sportscards in Waukegan, IL

  There was an overflow crowd that packed Jim and Steve's in Waukegan on Thursday night, all to see and meet the Cubs' young budding superstar and baseball's 2011 National League hits king: Starlin Castro. After receiving a rousing ovation as he made his way to the signing table, Starlin proceeded to sign autographs and take pictures with fans for 90 minutes. Everyone left happy with their newly signed memorabilia, which is destined to become much more valuable as this great young star matures and embarks on a long and prosperous career! More signings are scheduled soon at Jim and Steve's, get all the details at www.csac.biz!

CSAC Signing with Chicago Bear Kahlil Bell - 9/27/11

CSAC and Dean's Dugout welcomed Chicago Bear running back Kahlil Bell who arrived with his family for a signing. A great time was had by all and Kahlil proved to be a very sincere and humble guy which made the night even more special. Thanks to Dean's Dugout for hosting the signing and to Wayne at Sideline Marketing for all his help.

Our next signing is with Bear's Defensive End Nick Reed on Oct. 11th at The Baseball King!'s newly opened second store in Oak Lawn. Come on out and meet a Bear or better yet join CSAC at the All-Star or HOF level and get your autograph free!

We just wrapped our first signing at our store with CSAC and Kahill Bell and we had a total blast. Lots of new faces coming into the store and lots of smiling faces when they were leaving with their Bell autograph. All we can say from Dean's Dugout is if your thinking about teaming up with CSAC for a signing, don't think about it, just do it! The benefits are numerous for your store, for your customers and for all the new people that will get to know all about your store. Thanks Tony and thanks Kahlil, we had a great time and we'll be doing it again for sure.

Dean and Marilyn Bapes

Dean's Dugout

Naperville, Illinois

Dan Hampton - 9/24/11

Michael, a long-time CSAC member, met '85 Bears SBXX champ and Hall Of Famer Dan Hampton on Saturday: 

Here is a pic from me meeting Dan Hampton at the Jewel in Barrington yesterday. As usual he was very nice and very chatty.  Here you can see me asking him what he would think of a QB taking a 7 step drop.  His answer, "turn the corner and hit him in the back of the head".  

Mr. Hampton makes many appearances throughout the year, be sure to check the CSAC calendar to see where he will be next, and send us your photos!

Steve McMichael - 9/15/11

Lewis, a CSAC supporter, sent us this photo when he met "Mongo" at Central Dupage Hospital during a Score 670am broadcast event on Sept. 15th.

Send us your photos! csac.biz@gmail.com

Angelina Love signing - 9/17/11

CSAC attended the Angelina Love signing today at Jim & Steve's Sportscards in Waukegan. Lots of fun had by all. If you attended this signing and would like to tell us what you thought or have photos you'd like to submit, please do! Email your photos to: csac.biz@gmail.com. Please include 'Angelina Love Blog Photos 'as your subject line. 

Along with the signing, Jim & Steve's conducted a parody on the Deal or No Deal game with customers purchasing small cases which included varoious prizes. Customers were able to keep the cases, or exchange them for various card packs, signed balls, etc. before discovering what prize was actually in their case. Next up at Jim & Steve's is an autograph signing with Cubs star Starlin Castro on Sept. 29th. Refer to the CSAC calendar for all the details!