Category > Illini Football
Tim Beckman is intense. The Ron Zook era has drawn to a close, and with it the tradition of a head football coach who hoarsely bobs his head up and down while peppering his answers with “well…” as he looks all around the room. Brace yourselves. The Tim Beckman era will usher in a new tradition, specifically a tradition of making unbroken eye contact while shout-exclaiming things like “HE’S A CHAMPION!”, “STEAKS AND CAKES!” and “I AM RUNNING FOR STARK …
A surprising update from Trulon Henry: He might play against UCLA on New Year's Eve. That's the big news from my interview with Trulon during halftime at the St. Bonaventure basketball game. Most of our talk was not really about football, but about people.
Saturday marks the last home game for the Illini of this year. It has been reported elsewhere that the parents of the Illini football players organized a group (and remote simultaneous) prayer this week to pray in support of the team and the coaching staff. With one of Illinois’ seniors attending Senior Day on the sidelines recovering for a gunshot wound, there is a lot to be thankful for. A lot remains unknown, too. Whether you’ll have an opportunity to …
As though we needed it, there's even more gristle for the Illini to gnaw on this week. But the “other news” is so stark, perhaps it will help put the Illini loss into perspective. Trulon Henry was shot in the early morning hours of Sunday following the loss to the Wolverines. At a house party at 1004 South Lincoln, U, across the street from the Lincoln Avenue dorms, a party started to get rowdy. Some football players were present, and …
On Saturday, Illinois and Purdue will meet to play for "the Purdue Cannon." To those about to do battle for this trinket, I say: keep it weird. Many lament the influence that enormous amounts of money have had on college football. Conference realignment has been the buzz phrase this year. If you're just tuning in "conference realignment" is code for "schools throwing away the concepts of geography and tradition in pursuit of wheelbarrows full of cash from TV contracts." Conference …
Rock fans of the Schoolhouse variety already know it. Football fans of the Scheelhaase variety should know it. Three is a magic number. Illinois won its homecoming matchup with the Northwestern Purple Cats, 38 to 35. But there's more story there than just the win-loss tally. To quote the inimitable Kai Ryssdal of American Public Media's "Marketplace" — Let's do the numbers. Everyone is talking about 5. Specifically how Illinois is 5–0 for the first time since the early 50's. …
As you have surely heard, Saturday is homecoming. Well, technically all week is homecoming. The University has taken a page out of the Kentucky Derby playbook and arranged a whole week of activities. But we all know the main event is going to Kam's to see middle-aged male alums in pleated khakis and loafers drink flat drafts while ogling co-eds. The upside is that there's likely to be less grinding than Mom's weekend (note "less" does not equal a promise …
If you had a heart attack on Saturday, I'm really sorry about that. After last week's exhortations for exhorting everyone to come to Memorial Stadium and support the Illini, I feel somewhat responsible for any asthma flare ups, panic attacks, or cardiac events triggered by Illinois' play against the Broncos of Western Michigan University. I'm not taking responsibility for bee stings though. I told you not to set up your cornhole game so close to that trash barrel. If you're …
Mike Thomas is in his element. In the gathering dusk, in a quiet, modern, modestly nice University space not open to the hoi polloi, Mr. Thomas, the newly hired Athletic Director is gladhanding an expensively but modestly dressed attractive 50ish woman, sharing a story about the last time he had an opportunity to drive down Florida's A1A highway. They're chatting, exchanging pleasantries, saying a lot without really saying anything. Nothing out of the ordinary: this is part of the job …
The Arizona State Sun Devils bring a hot team into Champaign on Saturday night, and not because they're traveling out of the Retirement Belt. So what of the Illini's opponent? Why the heat? In a nationally televised matchup last Friday, ASU beat then-ranked Missou in overtime. The stadium was packed with black-clad fans for an advertised "blackout effect." The players on the field did their part by wearing uniforms approximating what Phil Knight would design for a combination football game/funeral. …
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Most Recent Comments
As a liberal conservative, and a person who favors taxes & services ... and also a sense of proportion; I savor the comic potential that still exists in this comments section. I’m pretty sure we can goad more anti-government rhetoric from confirmed progressives and government employees. If…
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.