When their charter flight arrived at Willard Airport on Sunday night, members of the Illinois women's basketball team were caught off guard by an unscheduled request supposedly made for security purposes.
Before boarding a bus back to campus, the Illini were to meet first in the airport's Bryan Room.
There, however, the surprise played out.
Organized by senior associate athletic director SARA BURTON, a group of well-wishers was waiting to celebrate the upset of No. 12 Minnesota — and coach NANCY FAHEY's first Big Ten win.
Players and coaches enjoyed cake and a message from athletic director JOSH WHITMAN, who earlier tweeted his praise:
BOOM!