For those who cant read the whole thing:
Gonna put it all in one tweet. Click “show more” if you want to read it all.
I’m a former Krush member. Here are two of my shirts, one of them from back when it was “Crush.” The current debate gives no reverence to Krush and it should. This is history you’re all trashing.
Last season, for the final three games, I requested a press row seat in the upper levels instead of in front of Krush. The player/coach insults hurled at the opposing bench were just too much for me. As an Illini fan, I don’t like that this is what opposing teams have come to expect in Champaign. What are we, Maryland?
But I didn’t say anything about my move to anyone (besides replying to people asking me why I wasn’t down there). I have incredible respect for the institution of Orange Krush and the history behind it. So I chalked it up to “I guess this old guy just doesn’t get it anymore” and removed myself from the situation. This season I did return the press row seat.
And as someone who has been directly in front of Krush for nearly every game the last 10 seasons, I can speak to the very specific change that happened. From my time in Krush in the early 1990’s until at least 2019, the way to get into the opposing team’s head was noise. Whether a chant or just an “ohhhhhhh” in unison, Krush brought constant noise.
The shift — and I think it happened right around Covid when there was a lost year and the handoff of traditions was interrupted — was a shift from noise to insults. The target stopped being the five opposing players on the court and started being the players and coaches on the visiting bench. My press seat is typically on that end, so perhaps this opinion is shaded by being seated directly between the insulters and the insultees, but the focus clearly shifted to the sideline.
And from my observation, in 2026, the bulk of Krush seems to get… quiet at times so that the insults can be heard? That begins this cycle of making noise for made baskets and big defensive stands but then a hush so that the insults can rain down. Perhaps there’s a belief among current membership that this is always how Krush has always operated? Not sure. But as a former member and as someone who has attended hundreds of games down there, no, the “stay hushed so the insults can land” is something entirely specific to the last 3-4 seasons.
Let’s not get this confused, however. Attend one game during break and you’ll see that Krush still sets the tone for noise. It is night and day louder the moment they return. The bulk of Krush is there, standing in line outside in the cold, ready to make noise. All of the “they’re on their phones!” and “they don’t even care anymore!” of the last few days? Absolutely not true.
I’m at nearly every road game as well and I can tell you that yes, a lot of the student sections around the Big Ten are louder now. I agree that the noise levels down by the court aren’t the same as they were 20 years ago. In my opinion, the focus shift from the court to the sideline is the culprit here. But I’m also attending a “Sammy Hagar sings OU812-era Van Halen songs” concert this year, so… keep in mind that these are the opinions of a 53 year-old.
Either way, Orange Krush is the heartbeat. They do not need to be “removed” and they DO clearly care. My only suggestion for them (if they even care):
The insults don’t affect the game at all. Nor do they land. Just stay loud.
