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Bruce Weber, Ron Turner, and other former Illinois athletes team up to save Custard Cup

What a time to be alive!

By Jim Vainisi
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jarling's Custard Cup has been a staple of the Champaign community since their Kirby Ave. location opened back in 1983. They have some pretty great ice cream custard, after all! Unfortunately -- and to the dismay of Tom Hanks -- the business went up for sale last Spring. We briefly discussed expanding our #brand to encompass this fantastic treat, but the dream was short-lived. Custard Cup was destined for another owner.

Well today we're happy to pass on that the Custard Cup will survive thanks to the efforts of an investment group that includes Bruce Weber, Ron Turner, Kurt Kittner, and a few other former Fighting Illini athletes.

Here's a bit from the press release, which you can view in its entirety over at Smile Politely.

[Alpha Custard Cup] is led by Tom Siegel, an experienced entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and former University of Illinois two-sport walk-on athlete, first sampled the Custard Cup product in the 1980s. Mr. Siegel remarked, "First of all, Doug and Christy should be congratulated for being the consummate hard-working entrepreneurs. They are very successful and I'm grateful for the opportunity to carry on the fine tradition of Jarling's Custard Cup."

Siegel went on to say, "We have an incredible investor group, including names that Illini fans will likely recognize, such as Kurt Kittner (former Illini/NFL football player), Tony Pashos (former Illini/NFL football player), Ron Turner (former Illini head football coach), and Bruce Weber (former Illini head basketball coach)."

Additional investors in Alpha include the Sholem family and other individuals.

The best news? The location is set to reopen in about a week! What a time to be alive!