Beckman looking to set world record at student event August 26th

[Dan]

On [Aug. 26], the day before classes begin at Illinois, Beckman plans to get the fans involved in a big way -- possibly in a record-setting manner.

Beckman will welcome the student body to Memorial Stadium to watch the football team practice over a dinner of burgers and hot dogs. At the end of the practice, he plans to invite all of the fans to join the field goal unit on the field.

"We'll try to get as many people on that field as we can and take a picture from the press box and see if we can set a Guinness record," he said. "I don't know how many people have ever been on a field while you're kicking a field goal. I just thought it might be something neat for the student body to be there."

http://www.dailyillini.com/m/article...s-world-record

[IlliniKat91]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: God, I really wish I was still at Illinois! That would be so sweet.

I may have to check my old ID card... it may not have expired yet...

[TheChiefRises]

I'll be there. Don't know how excited my fellow students would be about swapping drinking for seeing Illinois football though

[illinifan4249]

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

I'll be there. Don't know how excited my fellow students would be about swapping drinking for seeing Illinois football though

Yeah I will be there to no doubt, but I have a feeling a lot of students won't be. Maybe Beckman and co can get a lot of the incoming freshman to show up get them excited about the program.

[jackman404]

If Beckman fails to get the students excited about this program, it will prove once and for all that the students at this school will never get behind the football team. If anyone can do it, it's gotta be Beckman.

[BigStan97]

I love everything Beckman is doing to get the College and student body and fans involved to get excited for this upcoming football year

[illinifan31]

I should be there, although this is the Saturday of move in weekend. I'm sure all the Freshmen will know about it, but the rest of the school might not even be on campus yet. School doesn't start till August 27th this year.

[danielb927]

Originally Posted by illinifan31

I should be there, although this is the Saturday of move in weekend. I'm sure all the Freshmen will know about it, but the rest of the school might not even be on campus yet. School doesn't start till August 27th this year.

A ton of apartment leases start a week before classes since school starts later but they didn't change their lease dates. Ours starts, the 20th, I think, so we have a full week before classes where we'll be on campus.

[illynifan34]

Originally Posted by danielb927

A ton of apartment leases start a week before classes since school starts later but they didn't change their lease dates. Ours starts, the 20th, I think, so we have a full week before classes where we'll be on campus.

Sounds like fun.

[GilThorpe]

to get more students?

offer burgers , dogs AND BEER !!

[TheChiefRises]

Originally Posted by GilThorpe

to get more students?

offer burgers , dogs AND BEER !!

This guy ^.
If only our esteemed chancellor would approve.

[illinifan31]

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

This guy ^.
If only our esteemed chancellor would approve.

We can all plan on a bar to go to afterwords.

[TheChiefRises]

Originally Posted by illinifan31

We can all plan on a bar to go to afterwords.

:laugh:

[Dan]

Illini football will be at Quad Day this Sunday at noon. Look forward too seeing Illini students and faculty back on campus!

Sundays practice will be open to the student body in Memorial stadium. Practice starts at 6! Students on field for Final FG. See u there!

http://twitter.com/coachbeckman

[Droidillini]

Isn't the day before classes the 26th? Beckman mentions it being on sunday...DailyIllini says its on the 25th...

[Dan]

Thanks Droidillini, made the correction. The football event is on Sunday, August 26th. (The first day of classes is Monday, August 27th)

[danielb927]

All things Illini sports on Quad Day will be at the Illini Pride booth, located somewhere between Noyes and Davenport. We'll have tons of giveaways, players there most of the day, and games, so students, you don't want to miss it!

[Dan]

Look for an email from DIA soon, but here are some preliminary details about an EXCLUSIVE STUDENT PRACTICE THIS SUNDAY. TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!! (ONLY UIUC STUDENTS)

6-7 pm in Memorial Stadium. Enter through the North End Zone

-Free pizza and enter to win an iPad (must be in the stadium by 6:30 pm to be eligible for the iPad)
-Get a behind the scenes look at this year's team
-Meet Coach Beckman and the Fighting Illini
-Head onto the field after practice

Coach Beckman wants all the students to join the team on the field for a field goal and have a picture taken from the press box.

Ohio State did a very similar practice and it looked like this. COME OUT AND SUPPORT "YOUR TEAM".

https://www.facebook.com/OskeeWowWowIllinois

[carmelillini]

Really like how Coach B is reaching out to the students. Can't say he and MT aren't doing their best to bring some enthusiasm to the program.

[NJJ87]

Originally Posted by carmelillini

Really like how Coach B is reaching out to the students. Can't say he and MT aren't doing their best to bring some enthusiasm to the program.

Agreed, but there are so many awesome video games, it's perfectly understandable that today's college kid (especially male) would rather sit on his ass in his dorm room than, ya know, have to go all the way over to the stadium to cheer for his football team. :rolleyes:

Maybe Beckman should have tried to set a world record for a virtual student event, and then those students would be "out" in force!

[FredrickFremont]

If you're cool you'll dress like this, but with orange stripes instead of red:

[TheChiefRises]

For those curious of what the actual email looks like: