Why I Oughta...

No Big Noon Kickoff or Barstool show , so we didn't leave as early as we have in the past for the 11 am kickoff.  And, with Dad's Day being celebrated on campus this weekend, we hit a bunch of traffic on I-57 heading down.  That came as a surprise, but we still arrived in time to get to the Legacy Lounge for some drinks and food and into our seats to see some of the warmup.   For the early-season games, we've sat in the full sun and wished we were sitting further back under the canopy of the upper deck to get some relief in the shade.  This week, it was cold and we were sitting on the east side under the canopy and wishing we were out there in the full sun.   Having an 'easy win' over the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers (the Birthplace of College Football, they'll have you know) was exactly what this Illini fan's heart needed.    Here's our pre-game view at Gies Memorial Stadium: With this sixth win, the Illini are 'bowl eligible'.  Funny how...

Earlier this Fall, we went down to check out both the Barstool College Football Show and Fox's Big Noon Kickoff at the University of Illinois.  I wrote about the first visit for the Southern Cal game here in late September .  Both productions (and they were BIG productions) set-up shop in Grange Grove on the West side of the (Gies) Memorial Stadium in what is typically a quiet corner of the Grove.  (We were at an earlier game this season when the crews weren't there and there was a corporate hospitality tent in the same corner that BNK was set-up).  Seeing both of these shows was a fun experience, but due to our arrival time (We walked into Grange Grove right as Barstool was wrapping up and before Big Noon was starting), most of the 'space' was filled in, so we were standing near the back.  With the KoTBT being well...a kid...that meant that his 'line of sight' is such that if we moved in closer, he couldn't see anything.  Not to mention the signs and such ...

We went down to see the Big Noon Kickoff show out in Grange Grove.  It was an interesting experience, but I'd be lying if I said that we were able to see much of anything.  Between the big crowd and all the signs up front, we mostly were watching the action on the video boards vs. seeing the crew on stage.  Still...was a a lot of fun to be a part of the energy down in Champaign in Grange Grove.  Never hurts to come away with the W, either. 

A few weeks back, we piled into the Swagger Wagon and went to see my Illini take on Purdue for Homecoming.  We now have two nieces that are Freshman down in Champaign, so this was a family affair.  My sisters threw a great tailgate in Grange Grove and then we went into the Loyalty Lounge inside of Memorial Stadium to watch the game.  Well, I went in well before the game because I wanted to see warmups and all the pre-game what-have-yous.  We were lucky that the specialists for the Illini warmed up (for the most part) on the north end of the field, so our spots in the patio in the northwest corner tower of the stadium was a good view. Just about every game that we go to as a family, Nat and I disagree about the 'time to enter' the game.  I enjoy the pre-game festivities almost as much as the game.  I like to see the operation unfold, watch the support staff take action and watch the stadium come to life.  A little weird, yeah.  But, that'...

One year ago today, I posted this on the blog : What a year it has been for the Illini and Athletic Director Josh Whitman.  Has Lovie lived up to the billing?  As an Alum and former member of the football team I can say this without question:  He has! Did we win a ton of games last year?  Nope.  Will we win a bunch this year?  Probably not.  But that's ok.  #WeWillWin.  Why?  Because he's upgrading the talent on the field ( #40 recruiting class this year ) and in the coaching box . And in that year, things have changed in the football program, but also at the Athletic Department.  They announced the inaugural class for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini Hall of Fame with 28 members .  The golf program continues to hum along in amazing fashion.  He hired a new Volleyball coach .  And...They also announced the Memorial Stadium renovation (South Endzone and maybe a new facility by the indoor training c...

A few days ago, I posted a couple of photos from our visit to the Legacy Lounge in the Northwest corner terrace of Memorial Stadium down in Champaign that included finding one of the team photos that I was in from my days on the Fighting Illini squad in the late 90's.  But, this was our first trip down that we were able to enjoy the *kinda* new Grange Grove. The Athletic Department christened the Grange Grove for last year's season and it has been a big hit.   From FightingIllini.com : Grange Grove has transformed what was previously Lot 36, the parking lot directly west of Memorial Stadium, into a free, high-energy tailgating area, which Fighting Illini fans of all ages can enjoy. When we arrived a few hours before kickoff, the place was jumping!  There was a band playing on one side and the beer garden was loaded with alums and students.  It was Dad's day, so it appeared that a few Fraternities had their "Football Block" on site in the Grange Grove and...