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 »