About the Illinois Illini

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University of Illinois tickets were first available in 1890. The team started out with a slow losing season with student Scott Williams as coach, quarterback, and captain. With the team not knowing much about football, they struggled in their first two games. The last game of their first season, played for the first time at the Illini's home, was the first victory for the newly born Illini. As the years went on, the Illini got more and more recognition. In the 1920's the Illini has a marching band that was considered the "worlds greatest college band." This lead the Illini band to receive the Louis Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy in 1983.

Illini football has many traditions including Chief Illiniwek. This tradition is in memory of the Algonquin Tribes that once lived in the same place that the University now stands. It started in 1926 when it was decided to perform an Indian dance during Illinois vs. Pennsylvanias halftime show. The students that perform these dances go through great feats to get authentic Indian suits made. The suit that is currently worn is from a 1983 Sioux Chief named Frank Fools Crow.

The Fighting Illini have three series trophies that are fought over with their rivals. The first dates back to 1925 when the Illini had a long and grueling war with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Illini football team used to carry around "Illibuck," which was a turtle, who soon passed and was replaced by a wooden replica. It was tradition that halftime of these games would consist of two men meeting at the center of the field to smoke the peace pipe and give the "Illibuck" to the previous years winner. Ohio State has won the trophy the past four years. The second trophy is the "Cannon" which represents the Illini and Purdue rivalry. The cannon was last fired in 1983 and is held by Purdue who has won the last 3 games. The last rivalry is with Northwestern with a "Tomahawk" trophy. Sweet Sioux, the trophy, was stolen back and forth, and has now been replaced by a wooden Indian which currently sits in Illinois trophy case.

Which Ron Zook as the current head coach, for the second year, these college football tickets are going fast. Zooks first season opener tied a schools record of a 20 point comeback against Rutgers. Zook coached the University of Florida for three years prior to the Illini with an overall mark of 23-14. He has 23 years of experience with schools including Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Kansas, Cincinnati and Murray State. Ron Zook has perticipated as both a player and coach in 15 bowl games. He has also now coached 32 players that were drafted to the NFL including Brad Culpepper, Rex Grossman, Vinny Clark, and Ben Troupe.

College football tickets provide students, alumni, and others with one of the most memorable experiences ever. College football, especially the Fighting Illini, is one of the best sports in all history to watch. So make sure to celebrate with the Illini in their battle to victory in the 2006 season. Get your Illini football tickets and prepare yourself for another exciting year!