Aug. 7, 2007

Weather conditions were very hot and humid once again at Camp Rantoul, but the well-conditioned Illini handled it well. As shown by the hygrometer/psychrometer held by head football trainer Byron Cunningham, the temperature on the field was 97.4 degrees and the relative humidity was 57.6 percent.

by Cassie Arner, Illinois Sports Information

Fan Appreciation Day -- The annual Fighting Illini Fan Appreciation Day event is set for 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19 at Memorial Stadium. The event gives Illinois football, volleyball, and soccer fans an opportunity to meet their favorite players, collect posters from each team, and collect autographs from the players. Parents should bring a camera to take photos of their children with Fighting Illini student-athletes from all three teams. Football coach Ron Zook, volleyball coach Don Hardin, and soccer coach Janet Rayfield will be in attendance.

Fans will have an opportunity to buy football season tickets, Go Illini Cards, and media guides. Football season tickets remain the best deal for fans that intend to see Fighting Illini football this season. A $214 sideline season ticket, which includes six tickets with a total value of $268, provides the best buying opportunity for fans. One Family Go Illini Card gives an entire family admission to every regular season event for volleyball, soccer, women's basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball, gymnastics and track & field. That's about 75 events for just $50.

Many of the more than 11,000 new season ticket holders have not had a chance to test or purchase Illini Cushions for their bleacher seats. The Illini Cushions staff will be on hand at Fan Appreciation Day. Fans that buy a seat cushion at this event will have it installed in time for the Sept. 8 home opener in Champaign against Western Illinois. Fans will also see the changes that have taken place at Memorial Stadium. It will be the first opportunity for many fans to see the new student section in the north endzone as well as the changes to the west side of the stadium.

New video of Illini Football Facilities - New to coachronzook.com is the latest video tour of the Memorial Stadium football complex. This year's tour guide is senior linebacker J Leman. He gives you the "cribs-like" inside look into Illini football. Below is a direct link (or go to the Facilities page on the left-hand column of the Football home page).

Offensive lineman Xavier Fulton and his teammates enjoy a dip in the icewater tubs after a hot practice such as today's.

More news from the Big Ten Network office - Obviously with the commitment to covering every non-conference and conference football game this year, this means there will be many games needing broadcast talent. The BTN announced earlier the top three talent teams of Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis, Wayne Larrivee and Chris Martin, and Glen Mason and Mark Neely. Today they released the full teams of on-air talent. Here is an excert from today's release "The group includes the award-winning Roger Twibell, longtime ABC Sports journalist; ESPN college football analyst and former Ohio State quarterback Mike Tomczak; Mark Neely, whose resume includes Major League Baseball on ESPN; the versatile Jim Kelly, who has worked for CBS, ESPN and CNBC; former 11-year NFL veteran Richard Baldinger; NFL on FOX veteran Scott Graham; former University of Michigan tight end Derrick Walker; Ron Thulin, who bring 27 years of broadcasting experience; and former Ohio State running back Butler By'not'e." (By'not'e was on the Ohio State team during Zook's tenure as an assistant.)