2013 Illini Football Spring Football Schedule

[Dan]

* Chicago scrimmage at Gately Stadium: Friday, March 29, 5:30pm CT.

* Spring Game: Friday night, April 12, 8:00pm CT - Free parking & admission.

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports...030413aab.html

[quhawks12]

1. I like the Gately practice.

2. I like the Friday night Spring Game idea.

[Illinigirl]

Love the idea of a Friday night Spring game as well, but super bummed as I will not be able to make it, already have plans that evening.

[AHSIllini32]

Can't wait for Spring practice to start up!!

[KJKobs]

Very happy to hear that the Chicago practice/scrimmage has returned!

[Illinir1]

Friday night game in April is not a good idea for a couple of reasons

1. Temperature - who wants to sit and shiver through a practice game

2. Out of Town Fan Attendance - I'm a 2 hour drive from C-U and would
come for a Saturday afternoon practice game, but won't make the trip for
a Friday night. I'm sure many other Chicago area fans will not go as well.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Friday night game in April is not a good idea for a couple of reasons

1. Temperature - who wants to sit and shiver through a practice game

2. Out of Town Fan Attendance - I'm a 2 hour drive from C-U and would
come for a Saturday afternoon practice game, but won't make the trip for
a Friday night. I'm sure many other Chicago area fans will not go as well.

How cold do you think it gets in April?

[Illinir1]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

How cold do you think it gets in April?

My point was that it's much more enjoyable to watch an April game sitting in daytime sunshine than at night. Makes a big difference in comfort level.

[DrewD007]

2 of the Spring Games that I went to when I was in attendance at Illinois were cooking. Got a bad sunburn in... 2009 I think it was.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by quhawks12

1. I like the Gately practice.

2. I like the Friday night Spring Game idea.

Gately practice.. yikes...

Are they practicing in bulletproof vests?

[trevdv]

Originally Posted by Illinir1

It's much more enjoyable to watch an April game sitting in daytime sunshine than at night.

Just like last year, when it was pouring down rain during the entire game, right?

[Illinnoying Orange]

With the small turnout we get for the Spring game each year, the university should think about allowing fans to pack the 77 club and collonnades areas and turn it into more of a party atmosphere for fans.

[DrewD007]

Originally Posted by Illinnoying Orange

With the small turnout we get for the Spring game each year, the university should think about allowing fans to pack the 77 club and collonnades areas and turn it into more of a party atmosphere for fans.

During the Spring Game in 2011 a buddy and I went exploring around the stadium and ended up in the 77 Club. There was no around at all and it was kind of eerie.

[trevdv]

Originally Posted by DrewD007

During the Spring Game in 2011 a buddy and I went exploring around the stadium and ended up in the 77 Club. There was no around at all and it was kind of eerie.

Wow, you must have really been exploring! You need a key to get up to that area, otherwise the elevator won't take you to that floor.

[DrewD007]

Originally Posted by trevdv

Wow, you must have really been exploring! You need a key to get up to that area, otherwise the elevator won't take you to that floor.

Maybe it was Collonades Club. Either way we were in one of those newer suite areas.

[Dan]

Friday, April 12th, Spring Game will now kickoff at 8:00pm CT, to be televised live on BTN.

#Illini Spring game on April 12 will be televised LIVE by the @BigTenNetwork. Start time pushed back 1 hour to 8 pm CT to accommodate TV.

http://twitter.com/IlliniFootball

[Dan]

Friday practices will be open to media and public. No scrimmages but practice.

http://twitter.com/JohnSupinie

[IlliniKat91]

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Friday night game in April is not a good idea for a couple of reasons

1. Temperature - who wants to sit and shiver through a practice game

2. Out of Town Fan Attendance - I'm a 2 hour drive from C-U and would
come for a Saturday afternoon practice game, but won't make the trip for
a Friday night. I'm sure many other Chicago area fans will not go as well.

I'm considering it. It's nice in April, and I get out of work at 3pm. Plenty of time to make the drive down, grab food with friends, and watch the game.

Besides, after a Chicago winter, "brisk" is solved by a heavy sweatshirt and a good pair of shoes, same as it is for April baseball.

[carmelillini]

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Friday night game in April is not a good idea for a couple of reasons

1. Temperature - who wants to sit and shiver through a practice game

2. Out of Town Fan Attendance - I'm a 2 hour drive from C-U and would
come for a Saturday afternoon practice game, but won't make the trip for
a Friday night. I'm sure many other Chicago area fans will not go as well.

For some reason, I don't think the fans in Lincoln, NE worry about shivering during a practice game. Therein lies the difference between Husker Nation and Illini Nation.

[KansasIllini]

Originally Posted by DrewD007

During the Spring Game in 2011 a buddy and I went exploring around the stadium and ended up in the 77 Club. There was no around at all and it was kind of eerie.

I don't mean to get too far off topic, but wanted to chime in on this too. During Marching Illini camp my senior year, the director told us to take advantage of the downtime before stadium rehearsals to go look around. Being the explorer that I am, that probably wasn't the best thing for him to say, but it was all the green light I needed. Like you said, it really is kind of eerie when you're the only person around. I took the elevator up and walked around just about every suite level, and the press box. Got a couple nice pictures of me in the AD's suite in the process. Later in the season, I saw a wide open door, and ended up going down in the visitor's locker room. If you want to talk about eerie, go down there and walk around by yourself when it's not fully lit... Probably not the best idea at the time, but it was still cool getting to see all parts of the stadium

[illinigalore]

Love that they will be at Gately. I will be there.

[AHSIllini32]

HAPPY START OF SPRING PRACTICE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quhawks12]

Illinois Football ‏@IlliniFootball
#Illini Spring Report #1 - Defensive backs & Coach Banks: http://youtu.be/mXs1JKHLJ54

Illinois Football ‏@IlliniFootball
The #Illini OL is greeted by @Ryanklachko as they head into the Irwin Indoor complex for the 1st spring practice. pic.twitter.com/ZoZlAev4a3

Illinois Football ‏@IlliniFootball
Nothing says spring football like a little snow! #Illini will open practice today in the Irwin Indoor Complex. pic.twitter.com/g9u1M5lHHP

[quhawks12]

Tim Beckman ‏@coachbeckman
Great practice #ILLINI! Keep competing to make everyone better! Don't settle for anything other than greatness. #WIN.

Tim Beckman ‏@coachbeckman
#Illini Players of Practice #1, Off-Sceelhaase, Def-Finney, Sp T-Harris. Keep working hard!! #WIN

Tim Beckman ‏@coachbeckman
Felt great to be back on the field tonight. Great first practice #Illini! Work hard everday to get better. #WIN.

Tim Beckman ‏@coachbeckman
Today has finally arrived! Can't wait to start spring practice! Whatever is needed! #ILLINI #WIN

[quhawks12]

A couple notes:

1. Great to see Ryan Klachko still around the program even if he can't play.

2. Great to see Nate as practice 1's offensive player of the practice. I think he's going to surprise some people.

3. REALLY REALLY REALLY important to see Eric Finney as the defensive player of the practice. We desperately need these defensive JUCO guys to step in and make a major impact.