CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The 2019 season is officially underway and Illinois kicks off on Saturday against Akron.
The 2018 college football season ended with Clemson bringing home another national title, and as a new season begins, the Illini hope to foster some of that same success the Tigers have experienced in recent years.
When the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Center was under construction, Josh Whitman and various Illinois officials traveled to various facilities across the country to “steal” ideas for their new multimillion dollar building.
The idea of a fresh smelling locker room, a rooftop terrace, a bowling alley in the student lounge, the construction of meeting rooms, and the aesthetic of the main lobby were ideas stolen from the reigning champions, Clemson.