By Max Tane
Asst. sports editor

I’ve been at Illinois for three years now. I’ve been in a Big Ten atmosphere for all of my life. Granted, it wasn’t an Illinois environment growing up: It was Michigan State.

Still, I’ve noticed what seems to be an unconditional respect among Big Ten schools, with the exception of Ohio State and Michigan. Just look at the relationship formed by former Illinois head coach Bruce Weber and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. It’s part of the profession, I know, but you don’t see Nick Saban and Les Miles playing 18 holes with each other during the offseason.

Most Big Ten fans want to see the conference do well on the national stage. Let’s be real, people. No one is boasting when the Big Ten goes 3-5 in bowl season or only sends two teams to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. It’s a big life. It’s the big stage. It’s the Big Ten. Yes, I did just plug the conference’s old slogan.

And with the big life and stage, the Big Ten is always under a microscope. As a whole, the conference seems to always be the most scrutinized among the six BCS conferences (or however many there are with this whole realignment business), and the schools within certainly get an earful from fans and the media year-round, looming scandal or not.

So, let’s shrink the scope to Illinois. To echo the words of former Daily Illini assistant sports editor Spencer Turkin’s speech at the College of Media graduation, “Whenever someone shouts out I-L-L, there will surely be someone around to respond, I-N-I!”

Illini Nation will always be strong. But it pains me to listen to conversation in passing and hear:

“Dude, we suck!”

“We can’t win anything.”

“We should just fire everybody.”

Firstly, dude(s), where in the metropolis of Champaign-Urbana are you looking? I get that people demand results from the top two revenue sports, football and basketball.But is that all you’re interested in?

Allow me to break down what some Illini fans are missing out on and why they should think twice before declaring Fighting Illini nation in a state of “sucking.”

Volleyball

The first No. 1 ranking in program history, longest stint at No. 1 of any team all season, No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, national runner-up to UCLA, two All-Americans, the No. 3 recruiting class in the country last season. Did I miss anything? Oh wait, Kevin Hambly.

This is a program to be reckoned with on the national stage, and Coach Hambly already has players buying into his philosophy and system after just his third year at the helm. The electric energy of Huff Hall, where the Spike Squad stands right on top of the opposition, helped Illinois break attendance records this season. Look for the Illini to make a return trip to the Final Four next season in a destination more commutable from Champaign: Louisville, Ky.

Soccer

A consistent force in the Big Ten and the top 25, Illinois’ soccer program has made the NCAA tournament the past two seasons and won the Big Ten Tournament this past season.

Plenty of youth and upside in this program, especially under the direction of Janet Rayfield, who contributed to the U.S. Women’s National team’s run in the World Cup last summer as the team’s technical advisor.

Men’s golf

This is the sleeping dynasty at Illinois. While it’s not a dynasty like Trinity squash, which has been winning national titles since the times of the Old Testament, the Illinois men’s golf team has risen to the occasion on the biggest stage, winning four straight Big Ten titles. Mike Small has more to add to his resume when he’s not dominating other PGA professionals in tournaments of his own.

Men’s gymnastics

I know there are less than 20 teams in Division I men’s gymnastics, but a national title still speaks volumes. The character for this team is unmatched after it stormed into Norman, Okla., and took the national title from the host, Oklahoma, ridding coach Justin Spring of the ghosts that had haunted his past since 2006. This team consistently is in the top five in the country and top two in the Big Ten.

So to all Illini fans: Be patient. The larger sports will find their way with their new coaches establishing a new culture. For now, take in the other sports. Because next year we might see the University win its first national championship since … 2012.

Max is a senior in Media.

My good friend, who knows nothing about sports, has no great interest in sports or even knows how to play sports like football is one of the greatest sports fans I know.

The reason for this odd declaration is because of her enthusiasm, questions and desire to know more about Illinois football. Read More »

A woman runs on a treadmill at the Activities and Recreation Center. Daily Illini file photo.

Campus Recreation at the University is known mostly for the Activities and Recreation Center on Peabody Drive in Champaign — and for good reason.

The 340,000 square foot facility is massive to say the least. Outside there is an Olympic-sized pool to go along with the four indoor gymnasiums, 12 racquetball courts and hundreds of weights and machines. The fifth-of-a-mile indoor track and nine multipurpose areas are nothing short of oft-used either.

Its counterpart, the Campus Recreation Center East, is not nearly as large but provides many nice amenities to complement the Urbana side of campus.

But Campus Recreation also has some lesser-known services that provide a nice alternative to the treadmill to keep in mind. Read More »

Matt Koenig, junior in LAS, makes a deposit to sign up for Illini Pride. The event took place at Foellinger Auditorium on Aug. 25. Photo by Joanna Mirowska, the Daily Illini.

There’s nothing quite like Big Ten athletics. At games thousands of fans are cheering their heads off, trying to intimidate the other team all in hopes of helping their team gain an advantage and win.

For Illini fans, that’s no different.

Illini Pride, which supports all 19 varsity athletic sports, leads the way for students wishing to help cheer on Illinois.

With about 2,800 members each year, Illini Pride is the largest Registered Student Organization on campus. At football games it can be found in the north end zone while its presence at men’s basketball games is felt just feet away from the action right on the floor.

“Being a part of Illini Pride is a great way to spread enthusiasm for our Fighting Illini, maintain the honor and tradition that has followed Illini Athletics and give back to the community,” Illini Pride spokeswoman Megan McKenna said. Read More »

The Orange Krush performs mock stretches before the Illini men's basketball game against Wisconsin at Assembly Hall in Champaign. Photo by Ramzi Dreessen, the Daily Illini.

Since the 2002-03 season, the Illinois men’s basketball team is 140-26 when playing at the Assembly Hall, an 84.3 winning percentage.

While teams typically play better at home, few have played as well as the Illini in recent years. That’s thanks in large part to the Orange Krush, the section of Illini Pride that cheers on the men’s basketball team, and one of the most well-respected student fan groups in the country.

Founded in 1975 by then-head coach Lou Henson, the Krush has grown from a small four-member group to more than 1,300 members today. Today’s Krush also includes the charitable organization The Orange Krush Foundation. Read More »

Photo by Ramzi Dreessen, The Daily Illini

Congratulations! You’re an Illini now. And yeah, the University is known for its great education and famous alumni and all that. That’s all fine and dandy, but that’s not why I’m congratulating you.

I’m congratulating you because, as a sports fan, you have just found your Holy Grail. I know, I know, the University of Illinois may not seem like sports heaven with a mostly-mediocre football program and a basketball team that has underachieved since 2005. But just trust me, if you follow these tips and come up with a few of your own, you’ll be well on your way to sports bliss. Read More »

Ohio State

Dotting the “I” in the word “Ohio” is world-famous tradition, which occurs after the Ohio State Marching Band spells out Ohio in script during pregame and at halftime. A fourth or fifth-year tuba player has the honor of dotting the “I.” As the drum major dots the “I,” he or she takes off the hat and bows to both sides of the stadium as the noise level reaches its climax.

Michigan State

The “Spartan”, commonly known as Sparty, is an iconic statue that represents Michigan State varsity athletics. Before its rival game, Michigan students have been known to paint the statue with blue and yellow. During recent years, it has become tradition for students and members of the marching band to guard the statue to prevent vandalism. Read More »

When you get to campus for registration, or while your at home and online, consider buying your tickets to see the Fighting Illini football team this fall. There are a few different options for student football tickets, and in my years at Illinois, I’ve tried them all. It’s up to you which tickets you buy, but no matter what don’t forget to wear orange and cheer on your I-L-L-I-N-I Read More »