This is the second part of a four part series outlining Illini student football traditions. This series was published in 2008 and is being republished as an updated edition.

The 2008 season was a very special one for the UI Football program with the completion of the Renaissance renovation program at Memorial Stadium. As you enjoy the pre-game celebration outside of the stadium, I encourage you to walk around and check out the new features, most notably the addition of the Red Grange satute on the west side. For details of the renovation project, check out Memorial Stadium Renaissance project website. Before you enter that stadium, make sure that you have a valid ticket. Check out The Quad’s Student Ticket guide for information about how to purchase and redeem student tickets.

Getting into the stadium early will give you the opportunity to find the best seat. You may notice that there seems to be a lot of empty seats and not many students are coming to the game. Do not be fooled. Most students show up during the first ten minutes of the game and by the time the first William Tell is played, you will be surrounded by fellow Illini trotting “to the left.” During game-time, it is a student tradition to stand during the game…yes, during the entire game. With all the jumping around, clapping and dancing, it isn’t as bad as it seems. The most important thing you need to know is that you must stand on your own seat. The section makes it easy to step forward and stand on the seat in front of you, but this will cause a problem with those in the first row, so the only way to make it work, is to step back and stand on the seat you would normally sit in.

Before the start of the game, the Marching Illini will perform their pregame show. This exhibition showcases the traditional numbers including God Bless America, the Star Spangled Banner, and Illinois Loyalty. The band also has a tradition of playing the opposing school’s fighting song. In the student section, it is normally difficult to hear this because of the constant booing. Most students feel the need to face their backs to the field at this point. As mentioned, the band will proceed into the Illinois Loyalty at which the students erupt. Illinois loyalty is employed by students with a specific clapping rhythm. I cannot explain it in words, just start clapping on the beat, and when you hear a break or change in beat, follow along. Select band members then form a tunnel from the Illinois locker room (the northeast corner of the stadium) where the team will soon enter the field. The team is lead by the flag of the state of Illinois, the United States flag, and their head coach Ron Zook. It is customary for team members to touch the Grange Rock when entering the field. The coin-toss will soon follow, and the game will begin.

Continue to monitor The Quad for the next part of this story and its complete coverage of Illinois football.

UPDATE: The statue has been placed in its permenant home. Check out the photos >

Illinois’ most revered football player, Red Grange will be honored this week in a number of ways. After being labeled as the Greatest College Football Player of All Time last year, there is a lot to be said about Red Grange.

The Illini have chosen to honor the player with an eternal monument, a statue on the west side of Memorial Stadium. The Red Grange statue is expected to be installed today in its permanent home looking over the west lawn. The statue is made of bronze with an estimated cost of $350,000 paid by an anonymous donor. It will sit high upon a 14- to 18-foot base made from the same brick and limestone used at Memorial Stadium. It was built by UI Fine Arts alum George Lundeen and has a height of 12 foot, twice that of Grange’s.

In the statue, Grange will be standing on one leg, ball in hand, “hellbent for the goal line,” Lundeen said. “That’s not the title. We’re just going to call it ‘Harold “Red” Grange.’ ”

At first, Illinois officials discussed a lifesize statue. Lundeen wanted something bigger.

“Even 12 feet isn’t going to look real big outside,” Lundeen said. “It’s amazing how small something looks when you get it scaled up against something like the stadium.”

The new feature is part of the Memorial Stadium Renaissance project. Saturday’s game is the dedication of the statue. Read more about the statue and its designer here.

Some other ways to honor the Galloping Ghost include the Grange Rock,  which was unveiled by the University last year as a timeless symbol of Illinois’ storied history. Additionally, WILL TV will air never before seen footage of a 1982 interview with Red Grange at 7pm tonight as part of a special “Illini Night” production. 

Don’t miss it!

Photo Credit: The News-Gazette, Inc.