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1993 Illini win vs Iowa
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<blockquote data-quote="ILLINIWEK86" data-source="post: 1373478" data-attributes="member: 341680"><p>This game is the cornerstone of my Illini fandom. I was seven years old, and it was the first game I had ever seen in person. My grandfather was a ticket holder for many years, and I can remember how cool I thought it was that he helped build the Assembly Hall and that he wanted me to tag a long to watch the Illini beat the "Dirt Birds" as he liked to call them. My parents worked very odd hours, so I spent a lot of time watching games with Grandpa. </p><p></p><p>After that game, he started leaving my grandma at home, and I became his go-to game partner.</p><p></p><p>Fast forward and few years, and there I am again, sitting with Grandpa. This time we watched Frank Williams racing against the clock, in a tie game, come down the floor and absolutely drill a three at the buzzer to beat Ohio State. </p><p></p><p>The reason I mention the OSU game isn't all because it was a great buzzer beater. I mention it because it was the last game I ever got to watch with my grandfather. He passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in his sleep that very night.</p><p></p><p>You see, my grandfather was not a man to show emotion, like ever. Illini basketball unlocked all of that, and I got to see him in a totally different light than most other people besides my grandmother. </p><p></p><p>Those are moments that will stay with me for a lifetime. My daughter is 6 years old this year, and she is finally showing a very vested interest in sports. Especially, Illinois athletics. She will attend her first game against Nebraska coming up. I'm going to do it just like my grandpa, and not even tell her where we are going. She won't know what's going on until we get there.</p><p></p><p>Win or lose, I know from my own experience, it's something that she will never forget.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ILLINIWEK86, post: 1373478, member: 341680"] This game is the cornerstone of my Illini fandom. I was seven years old, and it was the first game I had ever seen in person. My grandfather was a ticket holder for many years, and I can remember how cool I thought it was that he helped build the Assembly Hall and that he wanted me to tag a long to watch the Illini beat the "Dirt Birds" as he liked to call them. My parents worked very odd hours, so I spent a lot of time watching games with Grandpa. After that game, he started leaving my grandma at home, and I became his go-to game partner. Fast forward and few years, and there I am again, sitting with Grandpa. This time we watched Frank Williams racing against the clock, in a tie game, come down the floor and absolutely drill a three at the buzzer to beat Ohio State. The reason I mention the OSU game isn't all because it was a great buzzer beater. I mention it because it was the last game I ever got to watch with my grandfather. He passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in his sleep that very night. You see, my grandfather was not a man to show emotion, like ever. Illini basketball unlocked all of that, and I got to see him in a totally different light than most other people besides my grandmother. Those are moments that will stay with me for a lifetime. My daughter is 6 years old this year, and she is finally showing a very vested interest in sports. Especially, Illinois athletics. She will attend her first game against Nebraska coming up. I'm going to do it just like my grandpa, and not even tell her where we are going. She won't know what's going on until we get there. Win or lose, I know from my own experience, it's something that she will never forget. [/QUOTE]
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1993 Illini win vs Iowa
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