"The ecstasy of a championship is the multiplicity of repitition"
The emphasis of the first month of the practice is going to be on leadership. If you have a favorite quote on leadership, send it in and if Coach Grentz uses your quote in practice, you will win two tickets to an upcoming home game. Send your quote to grentzshow@athletics.uiuc.edu.
Scrimmage and autograph session this Saturday : The University of Illinois will hold it's annual Orange and Blue scrimmage this Saturday (Oct. 28) at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Hall. The team will scrimmage amongst itself and also against the men's practice squad. The scrimmage itself will last about one hour. An autograph and photo session will follow. This is your opportunity to meet and greet the Fighting Illini.
Ashley Beggren to return to Champaign on Nov. 12: Former Illini All-American Ashley Berggren will return to the Assembly Hall on Saturday No. 12 as a member of the Reebok Lady Stars. The Illini play an exhibition game against the team based out of Indiana at 7 p.m. that night.
Illinois held an early morning workout on Monday with the emphasis on reptition and defense. The practices continue to be extremely competitive. "This group tends to respond to the competitive forum." noted Head Coach Theresa Grentz.
On Wednesday, the men's practice will make its first appearance at practice. "The men allow us to play against quicker and stronger people," said the coach. "It raises our level of aggressiveness and forces us to rely on each other. We can only be successful if we work together."
The coaching staff continues to introduce the offense with again hopes that the entire offense will in place by Saturday. "We have four key days of intense practices to get ready for Saturday," Grentz said.
"Overall the team's attitude has been very positive," Grentz reiterated . "They have shown great respect for what we are trying to accomplish. My staff and I enjoy being around them every day."
Signing Day is Nov. 8 Illinois will announce its next class of recruits at a press conference on the first day of the early signing period on Nov. 8. The press conference can be heard live on www.fightingillini.com
The Illini are inviting teams and groups to practice. The team will sign autographs and take pictures following the practices. To arrange for your team to come to practice, call 217/333-8612.
This week's practice schedule
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 3-5
Thursday: 3-5
Friday: 3-5
Sunday: 4-6
Monday: Off
Tuesday (Oct. 31): 3-5:30 (Practice won't be open to the public until after 5 p.m. that day)
