In week two versus North Carolina, you saw the potential for what Illini football can be; at least for the first three quarters. That evening, Illinois played a prime time game against the Tar Heels which sold out Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2011. It was the first non-conference sellout since 1987.
The Illini hing with the Heels for three and a half quarters reminding us that the Illini football product still has a very long way to go. However, the infrastructure, and the off-the-field needs are already filling in nicely.
You had an electric atmosphere that evening; there will nights like that coming again soon.
In February, the school got their Athletic Director in Josh Whitman, as they replaced someone with the sports acumen and personality of a credit default swap salesman with a class valedictorian and former Illini football star.
Have a look at the hype video for the Memorial Stadium Renaissance project:
The Illinois Renaissance Continues…
?? https://t.co/JkGQQMBoOe#Illini #WeWillWin https://t.co/AuZeG3RSKj
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 3, 2016
Dear Purdue: this how you compete. Not even win, JUST COMPETE! https://t.co/YTqxmT8KsM
— Hammer and Rails (@HammerAndRails) October 3, 2016
In March, they got a legitimate Illini football coach; replacing a de facto interim, and nefarious nepotist with a former NFC North and NFC champion. Today brought the announcement of a $132 million upgrade to Memorial Stadium; meaning Illini football just took another big step forward in the college football arms race.
Today is also the first day of practice for Illini basketball, so we can’t wait to see what Whitman is going to do to fix that badly ailing program, once his initiates his master plan down the line. Whitman told the media this afternoon that he will not be selling out the name Memorial Stadium to a corporate sponsor.
The A.D. also said that no Illini football home games will be displaced due to the renovations.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/783001513803350016
Rejoice Illini football fans! The current 1-3 record is nothing to celebrate, but this is still a glorious day.
โFollowing Coach Smithโs arrival, this project is the necessary next step to building a sustainable, championship-caliber football program,โ reads the statement attributed to Josh Whitman, Illinois Director of Athletics.
โThis is an investment in our student-athletes, both present and future, to ensure that they have the resources needed to compete at the highest level. Such a commitment is required if we are to win consistently in the Big Ten and on the national stage. This is the first in a series of facility projects that will ultimately position all Illinois student-athletes for enduring success.โ
An excerpt from the press release reads:
This project is a continuation of the Illinois Renaissance, which began in 2005 with large-scale renovations to Memorial Stadium’s west and north sides.ย That project resulted in the completion of the stadium’s premium seating and press box facilities, the north end zone student seating area, and recruiting and strength training facilities for use by the football program.
Paul M. Banks runsย The Sports Bank.net, partnered withย FOX Sports Engage Network.ย andย News Now.ย Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEyeย publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country.ย Follow him onย Twitterย andย Instagramย and Sound Cloud.
