With Lovie as the new coach / CU bars

#1      

HuskerIllini

H
HuskerIllini
has your excitement level gone way up?

I thought I saw that season ticket sales went up really fast when he was hired, did any of you guys purchase? Do any of you plan to attend some games this year where you might not have if Lovie had not been hired?

We went through the hiring of Mike Riley last year and really there was not a huge jolt of excitement. It was more like "Wait, what?"

Also, just curious, how many of you guys do make it to a home game each year? I grew up in Downers Grove and I honestly don't remember anyone in my neighborhood ever going to the games. It always seemed like it was so far away.
 
#2      

DrewD007

DrewD007
Woodridge, IL
DrewD007
Once Cubit was given the full time job I had decided to not renew my season tickets. However, as time passed I mellowed a bit and realized how much I'd miss being in Champaign on game day Saturdays. Last week of February I bit the bullet and renewed. Then came that glorious first Saturday in March where Whitman lowered the hammer And the on Monday, Lovie was officially announced. It truly felt like my faith and passion for Illini football had been rewarded.
 
#3      

HuskerIllini

H
HuskerIllini
DrewD007 said:
Once Cubit was given the full time job I had decided to not renew my season tickets. However, as time passed I mellowed a bit and realized how much I'd miss being in Champaign on game day Saturdays. Last week of February I bit the bullet and renewed. Then came that glorious first Saturday in March where Whitman lowered the hammer And the on Monday, Lovie was officially announced. It truly felt like my faith and passion for Illini football had been rewarded.
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That is awesome!

I have just been once, last year when Nebraska was there and it was a fun time. I can see that Grange Grove getting really popular in the future. Is that just a first come first serve thing?

We partied in there and one group had used a dolly and wheeled in a keg, they said they were from the frat that was closest to the Grange Grove but I can't remember which house it was. I was blown away because the tailgating in Lincoln is or can be sort of tame.
 
#4      

Firet92

F
Gurnee, IL
Firet92
I share the same sentiment. When it looked like Cubit would return I truly felt apathetic. Probably go to a game for homecoming but that is it. When the Lovie news hit I figured it was a nice PR boost. It wasn't until later that night at a bar where I really got revved up and excited about the future of the program. Almost bought season tix, just didn't make the most sense with travel.

Go Illini!
 
#5      

IAmChrisFarley

I
IAmChrisFarley
I have always only gone to 1 game a year. After Lovie, I got season tickets within 5 days after he was officially announced. I will probably go to 4-5 home games and tailgate in grange grove.

My boss - Michigan fan - is excited for Illinois. These were his words, "A good Illinois is good for the B1G and nationally."

To say I am excited for Illinois football is an understatement. I have a few adjectives I can use that aren't safe for the board.


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#6      

blmillini

B
Bloomington, IL
blmillini
Used to be a long-time season ticket holder and gave them up during the Zook era. Usually go to 1 game a year (Ohio State last year). Unfortunately, I have boys playing high school and college soccer now so I can't really get them again until they are done but will do so at that time if Lovie does what we all hope he will.
 
#7      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
Excitement level way up. If I still lived where I grew up, I'd have season tix. Alas, Texas is a bit too far. Now if Texas made it to the B1G in the next realignment...
 
#8      

HoustonIllini

H
Houston, TX
HoustonIllini
I spent 16 years in Alaska, a little too far to get to a game. Now it's still a stretch to get there from Houston, but I'm trying to find time to get up for a game or two if I can stay in country for more than two weeks at a time :huh:

And Lovie coming to the program has generated more excitement about fottball than I've seen since I left campus in 1985 . . . .
 
#9      

drillini

D
Lindenhurst, IL
drillini
I had season tickets for a few years, left during the Beckman years, and the Lovie hiring renewed my enthusiasm so I bought tickets again. I work every other Saturday so sometimes it is tough to get down there but I give those tickets away. With the NC game being at night we grabbed a hotel room and get to roam the campus on the Sunday and enjoy some Papa Dels!
 
#11      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
HuskerIllini said:
That is awesome!

I have just been once, last year when Nebraska was there and it was a fun time. I can see that Grange Grove getting really popular in the future. Is that just a first come first serve thing?

We partied in there and one group had used a dolly and wheeled in a keg, they said they were from the frat that was closest to the Grange Grove but I can't remember which house it was. I was blown away because the tailgating in Lincoln is or can be sort of tame.
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Grange Grove looks absolutely awesome and like something that could give our tailgating scene an identity/something to be known for! My fellow Iowa grads/Hawkeyes friends are coming with me to the game this year in CU, and I am definitely going to be checking it out (instead of just drinking at bars before the game, which while fun, is just simply not the quintessential football thing to do).
 
#12      

UIGrad03

U
UIGrad03
Bought (4) season tickets for the first time since I was a student. Don't expect much this season but am hoping the arrow is pointing up. At least UI seems actually committed to winning at football going forward.
 
#13      

AaronB28

A
AaronB28
My prediction is Illinois being ranked 25 by the time Michigan state comes to town with lovies big name ESPN will jump on a college game day venue opportunity with a huge party in grange grove!!!
 
#14      

HuskerIllini

H
HuskerIllini
AaronB28 said:
My prediction is Illinois being ranked 25 by the time Michigan state comes to town with lovies big name ESPN will jump on a college game day venue opportunity with a huge party in grange grove!!!
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Can the Grange Grove pull students (Mostly Greeks) from the bars before the game or will that be a tough sell?
 
#15      

FeelYourPaign

FeelYourPaign
So Cal
FeelYourPaign
HuskerIllini said:
Can the Grange Grove pull students (Mostly Greeks) from the bars before the game or will that be a tough sell?
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That's going to be a tough sell.
But I can imagine Lovie and Josh going to a few houses and having meetings that say "you can be the leaders of the movement and get the best spots at GG reserved for ___ years if you help us build up the Memorial Stadium / tailgating experience". Make it cool to be on the grounds again.
 
#16      

STLINI

STLINI
STLINI
Kind of a perfect storm for me. Living outside of STL and being a huge Rams fan, most of my sports money went to Rams games, and I'd make an Illini game every few years. With the Rams screwing me over by leaving and the excitement over Lovie, I already have tickets for the opener and plan on making at least 1-2 other games.
 
#17      

Psycho 86

Psycho 86
King Monkey Nut
Mooresville,Indiana
Psycho 86
Its been a few years since Ive been this excited about Illini football !! Counting the days again till it starts !! Not expecting miracles just compete , no blow outs !!
 
#21      

riffraff

riffraff
Peoria
riffraff
King Lovie said:
The Greeks won't be leaving the bars this year for sure. Absolutely no chance
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My son's fraternity likes Grange Grove and plans to go back again this fall. They aren't alone. Hopefully more will see the light. Now to get more of them to head inside the stadium to watch the game.


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#22      

Double Down

D
Chicago, IL
Double Down
riffraff said:
My son's fraternity likes Grange Grove and plans to go back again this fall. They aren't alone. Hopefully more will see the light. Now to get more of them to head inside the stadium to watch the game.


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I seriously don't see many frats/sororities moving their block to Grange Grove that fast. Block is one of the most anticipated events on the Greek social calendars and has been for quite some time. It would be awesome if this changed and Grange Grove became the home of many blocks, but I think it is a stretch.
 
#23      

IlliniFisherman

I
MN
IlliniFisherman
I think its possible to have both greek block and a good tailgate. I was there during the Rose Bowl year. We went to block in the morning early (around 7am) and a good portion of us would venture up to the game in time for an hour of tailgating.

If we get good (big if), and stop having 11AM games all the time, I think more people would participate in both.

But yes; block is highly anticipated. Definitely one of the things I think back on on days like today. :chief:
 
#24      

HuskerIllini

H
HuskerIllini
IlliniFisherman said:
I think its possible to have both greek block and a good tailgate. I was there during the Rose Bowl year. We went to block in the morning early (around 7am) and a good portion of us would venture up to the game in time for an hour of tailgating.

If we get good (big if), and stop having 11AM games all the time, I think more people would participate in both.

But yes; block is highly anticipated. Definitely one of the things I think back on on days like today. :chief:
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What is "Block" Like, is that where the Greeks all hit up the bars?

When we were in town last year we spent most of the morning at Joes (I think that was the name, right next to a huge frat) and it was super packed and tons of fun. I don't know if all the people there were Greek but it seemed like it could have been that.

Can they offer spots to the Greeks at the Grange Grove? Like, better spots or would that piss off people?
 
#25      

King Lovie

King Lovie
King Lovie
HuskerIllini said:
What is "Block" Like, is that where the Greeks all hit up the bars?

When we were in town last year we spent most of the morning at Joes (I think that was the name, right next to a huge frat) and it was super packed and tons of fun. I don't know if all the people there were Greek but it seemed like it could have been that.

Can they offer spots to the Greeks at the Grange Grove? Like, better spots or would that piss off people?
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Yeah, that was block. Three or four fraternities and their partner sorority block at Joes and it's a toned down version of the 10x10 fiasco that happens down the street at Red Lion. I could see one or two of those Joes fraternities as well as some of the ones without block going to grange grove. But block is the social standard for fraternities and sororities on campus. Frankly, it will take one of the top four fraternities to take the leap from block to tailgating (as well as some relaxation by the IFC) for tailgating to really happen. Certainly not unreasonable, but I'd put the timeline at 3-5 years down the road for that to happen.