Penn State, October of 1999. I was in Jr. High, and our youth pastor (a Pennsylvania native) bought a bunch of tickets for the boys in our youth group. A fun experience, apart from the final score, although I wouldn't become a die hard for another year or two.
Your first Illini FB game you attended in person
I wrote the lyrics to Illini Get Ready. There was a basketball version first, then a football version. It was recorded by Rathskeller. The football version became popular in “the 80’s belong to the Illini” period. WKIO Oldies, K104 personalities Mike in the Morning and Gene Honda had the idea for an Illini fan song, thought Get Ready would be cool, and I wrote the lyrics. The basketball version was recorded first, the the lyrics for the football version were dubbed in with the original instrumental tracks. The saxophone solo was done by a band member at the U of I. It was dubbed in after Rathskeller recorded the original tracks. All vocals are Rathskeller band members. Due to copywriter laws, no copies were sold. However, K104 gave free cassette recordings to listeners who requested them. I had a copy, but it was lost in one of my moves. I don’t know if the original tapes were kept, or who would have them. I’m 70 years old now and no longer in the Champaign area, but Mike in the Morning is still there. I don’t know if any Rathskeller members are still around. We didn’t have YouTube then, but wouldn’t it be great if someone has the songs and put them out for the world to hear?
Another song, Rose Bowl Bound was recorded by an area Country Western band. They sold a 45 rpm record. It was popular then too.
The Purdue Illini game either 79 or 80.
My first game too!
For some years I wondered if my mind was playing tricks on me: how could we have played Northwestern as our first game of the year? But we did!
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GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Woulda been 86 at home against Northwestern. It was cold. We lost. Figured it was one of the few down years under Mike White. Not the greatest start to my 9 year old Illini fandom, but at least we were good when I was in CU.
I may have shown you to your seat as I was an usher stationed at the north end zone bleachers.
Was that the game where a referee collapsed on the field and later died?
All games in 1963 with my dad. I was 8. We lived in Decatur and drove over. Got box lunches from people selling them along the road from Tolono.
R
That moment festers like a rancid onion.
Right before that punt, my brother turned to me and said “we should be in pretty good position… as long as we don’t screw this up.”
That moment festers like a rancid onion.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Penn State at Illinois Box Score, November 12, 1994 | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
Penn State at Illinois Box Score, November 12, 1994
www.sports-reference.com
'63 for me too. Had just moved into the area. Was 9 at the time. Can't remember who we played. Illinois went on to win the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl. I was hooked. My allegiance has never faltered.
Same here but I did better in the student lottery.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
2007 vs Michigan under the lights. Wasn't the outcome we wanted, but was quite a moment in quite the season.
October 15th, 1983 - Ohio State - Thomas Rooks around right end cuts back touchdown!
Final drive highlights
Final drive highlights
Where Moeller failed to get a play in from the sideline at the end of the game that could have won it (if I remember correctly).
That 0-0 game was.my first, as well. Also as a freshman. I remember my roommate and I looking at each other and saying "Oh my God, we bought season tickets".
So, is your user name taken from the TV weather guy back then? I always like to tell people about the one time, in early March, he told us--with refreshing accuracy--that we were in for a gradual warming trend over the next couple months.
September 1969 against Iowa State - I was 6. I remember nothing about the game, just how big the stadium was and how many people were there. My parents tell me after the game I did a version of Chief Illini's dance. I still have the program from the game!
Game vs OSU in fall of ‘68. One of OSU’s legendary undefeated national champions with 11 (!) All Americans and 6 first round draft choices. Illinois still in aftermath of slush fund scandal and 0-5 at that point.
OSU up 24-0 late in first half when Illini get absolutely robbed by official’s call before halftime. Coach goes ballistic with ref for what seemed like 10 minutes of halftime.
Illini come out in second half and score 3 touchdowns with 2 point conversions to tie game 24-24 with 4 minutes left.
OSU QB Rex Kern sacked on next play from scrimmage and carted off the field. The crowd is going completely berserk seeing the most unlikely upset in college football history.
Of course OSU’s backup quarterback hits a bomb and they drive in winning TD with about a minute left. Still one of the most memorable games I’ve ever witnessed.
OSU up 24-0 late in first half when Illini get absolutely robbed by official’s call before halftime. Coach goes ballistic with ref for what seemed like 10 minutes of halftime.
Illini come out in second half and score 3 touchdowns with 2 point conversions to tie game 24-24 with 4 minutes left.
OSU QB Rex Kern sacked on next play from scrimmage and carted off the field. The crowd is going completely berserk seeing the most unlikely upset in college football history.
Of course OSU’s backup quarterback hits a bomb and they drive in winning TD with about a minute left. Still one of the most memorable games I’ve ever witnessed.
Yes it is. My favorite Mr. Robert's story comes from Dan Roan. It seems.Mr. Robert's once played golf with Babe Ruth.