Neale Stoner passes away

#26      

Illiniguy74

I
Illiniguy74
MaineIllini said:
I graduated the year prior, so my Block I days were behind me. I was in the West Balcony with friends. When Brooks scored it was total pandemonium. High fives and hugs among strangers. Grown men in tears. Twenty years of football frustration relieved in that moment. I personally did not feel the balcony move, but I recall there were follow up inspections because some claimed the balconies moved.
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If I recall correctly, the upper stands moving was first noticed in 1982. Crowds had become large and raucous by that time.
 
#27      

Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs
southeast DuPage
Mr. Tibbs
Illiniguy74 said:
If I recall correctly, the upper stands moving was first noticed in 1982. Crowds had become large and raucous by that time.
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true
I was an upperclassman student then and we had seats in the east balcony, and we could definitely feel them moving
 
#28      

NJJ871

N
NJJ871
Mr. Tibbs said:
true
I was an upperclassman student then and we had seats in the east balcony, and we could definitely feel them moving
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Correct, and there were more than inspections (eventually) - it led to significant investment being put in to reinforce the East balcony.
 
#29      

Captain 14

C
The Last Best Place
Captain 14
Set a meeting with Neale Stoner back in the early 80s to present a business proposition at a suggested compensation level of X. By the end of the meeting had happily agreed to pay 10X (and maintained the relationship for years after his departure). He was a good salesman for the program with a keen understanding of the value college athletics can bring to a private business enterprise. RIP
 
#30      

BZuppke

BZuppke
Plainfield
BZuppke
Lots of great moments under Stoner including this one (maybe after he was gone?)

“Howard Griffith scored the winning TD on a 1-yard plunge with 1:18 remaining, capping the 10-play drive that began at the Illinois 37 with 3:59 left.”

Illini beat eventual National champion Colorado.
 
#31      

Ransom Stoddard

Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Ransom Stoddard
BZuppke said:
Lots of great moments under Stoner including this one (maybe after he was gone?)

“Howard Griffith scored the winning TD on a 1-yard plunge with 1:18 remaining, capping the 10-play drive that began at the Illinois 37 with 3:59 left.”

Illini beat eventual National champion Colorado.
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That was '91. Mac was AD by that point.
 
#32      

MoCoMdIllini

MoCoMdIllini
Montgomery County, Maryland
MoCoMdIllini
BZuppke said:
Lots of great moments under Stoner including this one (maybe after he was gone?)

“Howard Griffith scored the winning TD on a 1-yard plunge with 1:18 remaining, capping the 10-play drive that began at the Illinois 37 with 3:59 left.”

Illini beat eventual National champion Colorado.
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That was one of the most satisfying wins I ever saw in person. Watching those Colorado fans walk away unhappy after all the crap they were talking before the game was delicious.
 
#34      

Jimbo

J
Jimbo
Mr. Roberts said:
The 80's really did belong to the Illini. My favorite day from the 80s - what a great day! I'll always have the pics from the field after the game.

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Thanks for posting. I was in the block I for that one. Those huge shoulder pads and wide goal posts. So different than today.