blog posts Four-star center Kofi Cockburn joins Fighting Illini Basketball Apr 25, 2019 9:15 am The 7-foot, 290-pound Cockburn is one of the top-rated centers in the country, highest-ranked post player to join Illini Men's Basketball since current Portland Trail Blazer Meyers Leonard in 2010. All-time great Isaiah Martinez returns to Illini Wrestling staff Jun 13, 2022 2:30 pm University of Illinois wrestling coach Mike Poeta has added one of the most-storied wrestlers in Fighting Illini history to his coaching staff with the announcement that Isaiah Martinez is joining the staff as an assistant coach. Celebration of Title IX's 50th to culminate with Illini women's summit & reunion Jun 21, 2022 9:15 am The theme for the Sept. 9 event is 'How it Started … How it's Going.' Alumna Sheila Johnson is the keynote speaker. Taylor Rooks, also a UI graduate and nationally known sports journalist and broadcaster, will serve as emcee. Tour the Demirjian Indoor Golf Facility Dec 19, 2017 9:30 am Take a look inside the home of Illinois men's and women's golf. Head coaches Mike Smalland Renee Slone talk in detail about the Demirjian Indoor Golf Facility Ruth emerges as first Illini Big Ten champion since 2018 Mar 11, 2024 8:15 am '(Edmond) Ruth is really starting to cement himself as a national title threat. Him becoming the first Big Ten champion for us since (now-assistant coach for the Illini) Isaiah Martinez is truly incredible,' said head coach Mike Poeta. Michelle Bartsch-Hackley: Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Jul 30, 2020 9:15 am The many accomplishments of former Fighting Illini volleyball standout and 2020 Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Michelle Bartsch-Hackley. Grange Grove entertainment lineup set for football season Aug 17, 2022 10:45 am Illinois' premier pregame tailgating location will once again be open with a full slate of entertainment planned for the season. Demirjian Park Grand opening: New home for U of I soccer, track and cross country Apr 8, 2021 10:00 am Demirjian Park allows Illinois to host Big Ten and NCAA championship competition in both soccer and track and field. It is expected to become a destination location for training and competition by elite and youth athletes. Illini Track alumna Ashley Kelly qualifies for Rio Olympics Apr 13, 2016 12:30 pm Former Fighting Illini sprinter Ashley Kelly qualified for this summer's Rio Olympic Games in the 200m. Illini Basketball alum Steve Lanter gives $2.5M to Ubben project Jul 8, 2021 9:15 am Expansion will add 40,000 square feet and remodel much of the existing building. New coaches' office spaces, a grand entry, two new half courts, new strength and conditioning space, bigger locker rooms and a state-of-the-art sports medicine area. Friday night is Illinoise Night at Huff Oct 5, 2017 9:30 am Fighting Illini volleyball will host the popular IlliNOISE Night on Friday, October 6 in a BTN-televised match against No. 18 Purdue at 7 p.m. CT in Huff Hall Men's Basketball: Meet the newcomers Oct 23, 2019 10:00 am Head coach Brad Underwood, entering his third season at Illinois, welcomes five newcomers to the 2019-20 squad - three freshmen and two transfers. Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament moved to Indianapolis Feb 10, 2021 9:15 am Men's Basketball Tournament relocated from United Center in Chicago to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Hosting both the men's and women's tournaments in the same city allows for cohesive testing and medical protocols for both events. Illini Softball season kicks off with tournament at Florida International University Feb 12, 2016 10:30 am The Illinois softball is set to open the 2016 with its first of five tournaments this season: The JuiceBlendz FIU Invitational, hosted by Florida International on Feb. 12-14 at the FIU Softball Stadium. Former Illini star Kevin Anderson ousts Roger Federer at Wimbledon Jul 11, 2018 2:15 pm Chicago Tribune (July 11) Kevin Anderson, who played at the University of Illinois, knocked defending champion Roger Federer out of Wimbledon Wednesday Big Ten conference schedule released for Men's Basketball Aug 25, 2016 2:45 pm Illinois will open conference play on the road, traveling to Maryland on Dec. 27. The Illini then welcome Ohio State to State Farm Center on New Year's Day. Illini Baseball's Cody Sedlock off to impressive start Feb 24, 2016 10:30 am Sedlock was the only opening day starter in the nation to strikeout 10 or more against a ranked opponent Louise Kwong named Big Ten Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week Mar 29, 2017 8:15 am The Illinois senior Kwong won all five of the matches she finished last weekend, highlighted by the No. 1 singles match that clinched the 5-2 Illini victory over Maryland. Illini Volleyball recruiting class ranked No. 7 in nation May 31, 2017 4:15 pm The 2017 Illinois volleyball recruiting class has been ranked as the seventh-best class in the country as rated by PrepVolleyball.com's John Tawa. Edwards named NCAA Woman of the Year nominee Jul 15, 2020 10:30 am Taylor Edwards, a standout pitcher for the Fighting Illini softball program for four seasons before joining the women's basketball team for her final year of eligibility in 2019-20, has been named as a nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year. Ayo Dosunmu returns Jan. 6 for Honored Jersey unveiling Dec 9, 2021 10:00 am Fighting Illini all-time great and current Chicago Bulls rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu will return to the U of I campus on Thursday, Jan. 6, participating in a ceremony as he joins the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program. Atkins Group gives Stone Creek Golf Club to Illinois Athletics Jun 30, 2020 9:30 am The golf club will remain closed for the 2020 season while undergoing improvements, and re-open as a championship-caliber public course and the home of the Fighting Illini men's and women's golf programs. The gift value exceeds $15 million. 2001 and 2002 Big Ten Champions to be honored Saturday Dec 14, 2021 10:15 am Illini Men's Basketball will hold an alumni reunion this weekend, in conjunction with Saturday's home game against St. Francis PA (12 p.m., BTN)., including special recognition to mark the 20-year anniversary of back-to-back Big Ten championships. Illinois Volleyball unveils spring schedule Feb 7, 2024 8:00 am The Illini open the spring schedule with a match against DePaul on March 8. First serve from Huff Hall is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT. Admission is free. Don't miss a moment: Basketball season tickets now on sale Jun 28, 2019 11:00 am Fighting Illini Basketball season ticket renewals are underway, and new season tickets are on sale now to the general public as well. Fighting Illini Athletics set to host Spring Sports Fest Apr 9, 2024 9:00 am Fighting Illini Athletics is set to host Spring Sports Fest from April 12-14, featuring 11 home events across four sports - Track & Field, Softball, Baseball, and Women's Tennis. BigTen Basketball schedule starts a week earlier than previous seasons Aug 17, 2017 8:30 am Illinois opens at Northwestern (Dec. 1) in Rosemont because the Wildcats are playing their home games at Allstate Arena this season during the renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena Lovie Smith named Illini Football coach Mar 7, 2016 1:45 pm Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman took a major step in elevating Fighting Illini football in the national landscape with the hiring of longtime NFL coach Lovie Smith as head football coach. Illini Men's Basketball opens Big Ten play Saturday at Rutgers Dec 1, 2023 8:15 am No. 24 Illinois begins its 119th season of league play Saturday afternoon at Rutgers (3 p.m. CT, BTN). Illinois is opening B1G play on the road for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. Terrance Shannon Jr: 'I'm Back' Jun 1, 2023 8:00 am Shannon is a major addition to the 2023-24 Illini lineup. He averaged 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in his inaugural season in Champaign, earning first-team All-Big Ten accolades. Guide to football gameday traffic - amid campus construction Sep 20, 2017 8:45 am To insure that your game day experience is an enjoyable one, we have created this informational guide designed to provide you with Illinois Football game day information. New Illini Athletics hype video: Join the Fight Jul 10, 2019 9:45 am This new Illini Productions video captures the excitement of approaching new athletic seasons. It's time to Join the Fight, Illini Nation! Illini Football accepts invitation to 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl Dec 5, 2022 8:45 am The Illinois football team has accepted an invitation to play in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. Illinois will play Mississippi State at Raymond James Stadium on Monday, Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2. Illinois' Homecoming game time announced Oct 9, 2023 9:45 am Illinois' Homecoming game against Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 21 will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT, the conference office announced on Monday. Television coverage for the game will be announced following games played on Oct. 14. Coach Underwood's Basketball Media Day quotes Oct 12, 2017 9:30 am The Illinois men's basketball coach talked all things Fighting Illini at the annual on-campus media day Wednesday. The season opens Nov. 10 at home against Southern Universitiy Illini Football vs Penn State to air on ABC Oct 12, 2021 9:00 am The Illinois football game at Penn State will be broadcast on ABC on Oct. 23, the Big Ten conference office and television partners announced Monday. The game is currently scheduled as an 11 a.m. CT kickoff. Women's Tennis: Freshman Emilee Duong wins 2017 ASU Invitational singles title Nov 6, 2017 8:15 am The Illinois women's tennis team went an impressive 23-8 in singles play during the final fall tournament Illini Baseball's weekend road trip at Coastal Carolina Mar 10, 2023 8:45 am Illinois baseball returns to action in Conway, S.C., facing the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers for three games and capping off its 13-game road trip to begin the season. The Illini earned their second-straight series win last week against Sam Houston. Illini selected for NCAA Baseball Tournament May 28, 2019 10:15 am Illinois is a No. 2 seed and will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face No. 3-seed Clemson in the tournament's first round Friday at 3 p.m. CT. Football single-game tickets on sale now Jun 28, 2017 1:30 pm Single-game tickets for Fighting Illini football's 2017 season went on sale to all fans Wednesday, June 28, at 9 a.m. Fighting Illini Hall of Fame Class of 2022 induction set for Sept. 23 Sep 16, 2022 9:00 am Illinois Athletics will formally induct 15 new members to the Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on Friday, Sept. 23, 6 PM at State Farm Center. The ceremony is open to all and admission is free. Posters will be available to the first 500 fans. Jackson named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week Sep 22, 2021 8:45 am Goalkeeper Naomi Jackson was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Tuesda. She recorded 13 saves on 35 shots faced against No.21 Michigan, tying an Illinois record for most saves in a game by a freshman. See the dedication of Lou Henson Court at State Farm Center Dec 4, 2015 11:30 am The court at the newly-renovated State Farm Center was officially dedicated Wednesday when Illini Men's Basketball hosted Notre Dame Illini women gymnasts earn five All-America honors Mar 31, 2015 1:45 pm The NACGC/W announced the regular-season All-American honors with the Illini picking up five awards. Illinois totaled one First Team and four Second Team honors, as Mary Jane Horth, Sunny Kato and Giana O'Connor each earned recognition for their stellar seasons. World-class Smith Football Center opens for student-athletes Aug 19, 2019 9:15 am The new Illini football facility includes expanded strength, conditioning and sports medicine space, coaches' offices, position meeting rooms, locker rooms, and other areas for recruiting and prospect hosting. Orange Krush invade Ann Arbor Jan 24, 2017 8:30 am More than 100 members of the Orange Krush invaded Crisler Arena on Saturday to cheer on the Fighting Illini against Michigan. Each year, Krush members make a surprise road trip to a visiting arena Illinois Volleyball welcomes Northwestern for midweek clash at Huff Hall Nov 1, 2023 11:15 am Illinois volleyball goes for its sixth straight victory when the team hosts Northwestern at Huff Hall on Wednesday night. First serve on Big Ten Network is slated for 8 p.m. CT. U of I names 2018 Athletics Hall Of Fame class Feb 23, 2018 10:15 am Illinois continues to celebrate of its athletics legacy with the 2018 classs inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame, which includes coaches and record-holders from 12 sports Illini Basketball doubleheader watch party set for State Farm Center Mar 27, 2024 8:30 am Fighting Illini Athletics will host a doubleheader watch party at State Farm Center on Thursday, with both women's and men's basketball playing postseason games being shown on the videoboard. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. Illini Baseball great Ken Holtzman inducted into St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame Sep 27, 2018 1:30 pm Holtzman was Illinois' team MVP and an All-Big Ten selection in 1965 before debuting in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs in the same year