Your first Illini FB game you attended in person

#126      
Illinimobile
EJ33 said:
The fall of '83 is what we all dream of...an incredible fan experience.

Remember the "80s Belong to the Illini" slogan? There was a local band that played that outside the stadium during tailgating. I can't find it anywhere online. Does anybody else remember this song / band?
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I remember the tune, but not who did it. I remember Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets did a Jan & Dean workup "The fighting Illini in Pasadena" and another local band called Rathskeller did "Get Ready" (Rare Earth) with Illini themed lyrics
 
#130      
EJ33
Illinimobile said:
I remember the tune, but not who did it. I remember Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets did a Jan & Dean workup "The fighting Illini in Pasadena" and another local band called Rathskeller did "Get Ready" (Rare Earth) with Illini themed lyrics
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The Illini version of "Get Ready" is the one I remember..."and in the 80s it will be the Orange & Blue, so get ready...get ready" (or something like that).

I spent a bit of time Googling and can't find any mention of the song (did find several references to the band though).

Thanks Illinimobile!
 
#132      
BZuppke
I was fortunate to be in school for most of the 1980s starting in 1982. Not the 7 year plan - 2 degrees. It was fun.
 
#133      
WeatherfordForMVP
I think my first game was Oct 16, 1999, homecoming that year. I went with my parents, who are both alum. But I had to look that up. I remember enjoying the experience, but I don't remember anything about the game.

The first game I remember specifically was the opening game of the 2004 season, my freshman year at UI, against Florida A&M. It was a truly dominating performance and, not yet a college football fan, I didn't understand the significant gap between the programs. I thought the team was destined for greatness.

I would go on to attend nearly every home football game during my three years at the University, and was blessed with but one home conference win (against Indiana in 2004). 2007 would have been the reward for my three years of misery, but I graduated early. šŸ˜ž
 
#134      
eagle62
1959 a 15 to 10 loss to Michigan. Qb's for the Illini were Johnny Counts and Johnny Easterbrook. Easterbrook was from Champaign and about 5'9".
 
#136      
RedRocksIllini
UIUC1867 said:
September 11, 1982-Illinois vs. MSU. It wasn't so much that the game left an impression on me, but it was the whole "atmosphere" of that day (Tailgreat especially). I was 12 at the time and it led to a big growth of support for the Illini later on. It felt more like a privilege to attend MS back in the early 80's (Yes, there used to be scalpers around). I certainly hope to see that great "atmosphere" once again in the not-too-distant future.
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I was at that game. That was the game the official fell over dead. Having seen the way he dropped, like a tree face first if a tree had a face, it was really weird when the crowd cheered as he was taken off the field.

My first game was the 0-0 tie vs. Northwestern in 1978. Pretty appropriate start to life as an Illini fan.
 
#137      
SuperMetroid
RedRocksIllini said:
I was at that game. That was the game the official fell over dead. Having seen the way he dropped, like a tree face first if a tree had a face, it was really weird when the crowd cheered as he was taken off the field.

My first game was the 0-0 tie vs. Northwestern in 1978. Pretty appropriate start to life as an Illini fan.
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Wow, never heard about that before. 83 was the first Illini football season I really remember. Had to look it up: UPI story
 
#138      
illini39
I remember mostly the 70's. Bob Blackmon's first Spring game when he showed off the new uni's and had a kick off reverse on the first play. Mike Wells was one of the QB's I believe. I love the uni's... I also remember the late great Tab Bennett.
 
#139      
Stevegarbs
RedRocksIllini said:
I was at that game. That was the game the official fell over dead. Having seen the way he dropped, like a tree face first if a tree had a face, it was really weird when the crowd cheered as he was taken off the field.

My first game was the 0-0 tie vs. Northwestern in 1978. Pretty appropriate start to life as an Illini fan.
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Hmm, I think I have to amend my original post as now I recall being at the game where the official died. I had that one in my head as being in the 1983 season and not 1982. Guess I attended two games my freshman year. :huh:
 
#140      
Carmi1960
Illini v Penn st 1972 John Cappelletti was Nittany Lion rb first Illini game as a freshman..0-0 tie with Northwestern in 1978!! No where to go but up!
 
#141      
Cbus
My first game was in Nov. 1962, last game of the season vs. MSU: Illini had broken a two-year losing streak three games previously vs. Purdue. Won this one 7-6. Dick Butkus dominated MSU's All American center, including disruption of place-kicking attempts. Illini had the ball as time was running out, and the starters were doing summersaults coming off of the field as subs replaced them. (FYI, have read forums since BTFF days, but hate to post...)
 
#142      
HoustonIllini
The magical season of '83 - first game was Sept. 17, '83, a 17-0 win over Stanford. I had student season tickets, and didn't miss a game that year. And what a year it was . . . .

For a vet just out of the service, what an introduction to big time college and college football. An affliction and love affair that has lasted ever since.
 
#143      
aiwpfan
Cbus said:
My first game was in Nov. 1962, last game of the season vs. MSU: Illini had broken a two-year losing streak three games previously vs. Purdue. Won this one 7-6. Dick Butkus dominated MSU's All American center, including disruption of place-kicking attempts. Illini had the ball as time was running out, and the starters were doing summersaults coming off of the field as subs replaced them. (FYI, have read forums since BTFF days, but hate to post...)
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Hadn't there been a snow storm the day before? And MSU's kicker was a bare-footed kicker?
 
#144      
dgcrow
aiwpfan said:
Hadn't there been a snow storm the day before? And MSU's kicker was a bare-footed kicker?
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Dick Kenney. Played from 1964 through 1966. Made 19 field goals in his career and 50 extra points.
 
#145      
Cbus
dgcrow said:
Dick Kenney. Played from 1964 through 1966. Made 19 field goals in his career and 50 extra points.
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Didn't know that. It was certainly very cold. From my memory, the kicking attempts were very hurried (in one case failed to get it off?) - the defensive pressure was immediate.
 
#146      
Illwinsagain
bdutts said:
1986 - Nebraska. My first week on campus as a student. We left when it was 28-0 Nebraska. :)

One thing I truly miss about the pregame is when all 100+ Illini guys walked out to the hashmark or closer for the coin toss. Was really cool to see from the stands.
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Wow, I got to that game when it was 21-0, 1st quarter. Ugly game.
 
#147      
KamsBartender84
Illinois vs Indiana Nov 14, 1981 -- I remember Indiana's white uniforms had a tinge of pink. We all joked either the whites got washed with the red socks OR they made them wear pink unis because they sucked so bad.. ;)
 
#148      
Deleted member 16340
Bob Christiansen said:
Sept. 10, 1977, the season opener against scUM. I was a senior in HS, my best friend's family was from Detroit, so of course he was wearing all his maize and blue. 37-7 loss.

The next year, now we're both freshman, roomies in Lundgren Hall (God, what a dump!), got our student season tickets in our grubby little paws (cost all of $35 back then), opening game of the '78 season? The infamous 0-0 tie with Northwestern. Didn't know if that $35 was well spent at that time...
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This was mine too, but as a freshmen in my fraternity block. Had season tickets for that year and the next four. (4.5 year plan��) Great times, regardless of the team on the field.
 
#149      
Illinir1
I was a Sr. at Illinois when a housemate invited me to go to my first Illini game on Oct. 18th, 1980 - Purdue 45 Illini 20
Purdue's Mark Herrmann was 24/35, 341 yds., 4 TD
Illini QB was Dave Wilson....game stats unknown, but he finished 3rd in NCAA in passing and 2nd in B1G, behind Purdue's Mark Herrmann.

After I graduated the following May ('81), I purchased season tickets for what was the 2nd season of the Mike White era and the beginning of the Illini's ascent to be the 1983 B1G champions.

This will be my 36th year as a season ticket holder. Those first three years ('81-'83) of Illini football were magical and have kept me coming back ever since.

:chief::illinois::chief::shield::chief::illinois::chief:
 
#150      
trevdv
October 27, 2007 -- Illinois vs. Ball State

Didn't see much of the game, though. It was extremely foggy that day, but there was supposed to be a plane flyover (I think it was homecoming?) prior to kickoff. So instead of calling it off the plane flew extremely low and it was one of the louder noises I've ever heard. Spooked my little cousins and we had to leave before the first quarter was over because they were crying.
 
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