Fan Blog

Hello Illini Fans!

Posted by: Kim Johnson

Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:01 AM

Greetings fellow Illini fans, and welcome to the first ever IlliniHQ Fan Blog.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I am more than a little bit intimidated by the long list of bloggers ahead of me. I think these guys actually do this for a living. Never the less, I will do my best to give thoughts on what the everyday fan is thinking, because that is who I am!

The man in charge (Mr. Rossow-that's you) asked me to tell you how I became a football fan. Obviously, I haven't ever played the game, except in gym class when I was a kid or in the backyard with my children.

But, I love the Illini, and I've been going to games for around 20 years. Like all of you, I've seen some great games and some really lousy games. I have sat, depressed, through the 0-11 season, and I have cheered and smiled through last season.

I try not to leave games early, as I learned the hard way back in 1988 when there was a miraculous comeback against Indiana to win the game-remember that one, Dad? Some Dad's Day, huh, to leave the game a few minutes early, only to miss out on seeing the win.

Other memorable ones are the 1993 game against Minnesota, where the Illini came back to win amidst a snow storm in Champaign (yes, I was in the East Balcony watching that one-it was cold.); the 2002 loss in overtime at home to Ohio State (watched that one at home with a sick child; my husband and son went anyway), and the 1999 comeback win at Michigan (just watched part of that one again on the Big Ten Network).

Enough of the past-let's live in the now. It is an awesome time to be an Illini football fan. I am psyched for the season to start.

I will try my best to not write about which uniforms the Illini players are wearing (don't you just hate it when they wear the orange jerseys with the orange pants?).

I can't wait to see the renovated Memorial Stadium (anyone need a few guests in your new suite-say, a family of 4-for one of the games?).

Around our house, we are having discussions on the upcoming season and how we think certain players will do. The consensus prediction for this season's record is 8-4, but it really depends on whether we have our "optimist" hat on or our "realist" hat.

My son (who's 10) likes the big-name players, Juice and Vontae, but I've got some work to do with my daughter. She just asked the other night, "Is there really a player named Juice?" Yes, this is how it goes at our home...

My hope is that late Saturday evening on August 30, EVERYONE watching the Illinois vs. Missouri game knows that there IS most definitely a player named Juice, and he and his fellow Illini teammates have just beat Missouri.

Until Sunday-Go Illini!

P.S. - If you want to reach me, e-mail sports@news-gazette.com. Rossow promises me he'll give me your message.

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