April 1, 2016 | Football
First @IlliniFootball Spring Ball Practice Took Place Under the Lights at Memorial Stadium
Spring Schedule | Follow @IlliniFootball
The Lovie Smith Era of Illinois football began Friday night as the Fighting Illini opened 2016 spring practices under the lights at Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Illini were on Zuppke Field for two hours and 15 minutes in shorts and helmets for day one, the first of 15 spring practices.
It was the first Illini practice for Lovie, who was named head coach on March 7, as well as for eight of the nine assistant coaches. Only run game coordinator and defensive line coach Mike Phair was on the previous coaching staff. It also was the first Illinois practice for three early enrollees - DB Trenard Davis, DB Ahmari Hayes and QB Eli Peters.
The Fighting Illini continue spring ball on Saturday with a 1 p.m. practice at Memorial Stadium. All practices are closed to the public (except for the April 16 open practice).
It all starts today. #Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/pOEeJfEOJw
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 1, 2016
Here we go! #Illini #SpringBall pic.twitter.com/8KY6sSgmMd
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 1, 2016
Great to be back on the field ?? #Illini #SpringBall pic.twitter.com/0RHvEXsnIF
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 1, 2016
LOVIE #Illini #SpringBall pic.twitter.com/0m2khAz8tq
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 1, 2016
IHSFCA Clinic
The annual Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Clinic is in town March 31-April 2. Coach Smith and his staff spoke to over 800 high school coaches on Thursday evening and Friday morning, and then hosted the coaches at tonight's practice at Memorial Stadium.
Lovie and staff in front of a packed house of HS coaches at IHSFCA Clinic. #Illini @LovieSmith @IlliniCamps pic.twitter.com/kY3cArOyBX
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 1, 2016
April Fools Ticket Offer
From now until Sunday, April 3, at 11:59pm, fans who wish to be part of Lovie Smith's first game as head coach of the Fighting Illini can order $10 tickets (minimum purchase of four tickets required) for the home opener against Murray State on Saturday, Sept. 3. Kickoff time and seat locations for the tickets purchased will be determined at a later date.
Yes, you read that correctly.
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) April 1, 2016
$10 @IlliniFootball tickets >> https://t.co/MJHpKuDZH2 #Illini pic.twitter.com/yXrKzb263q
Top Tweets
Lots of excitement and energy in the building! Can't wait to get on the practice field today! #Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/mqI4u7d7so
— Lovie Smith (@LovieSmith) April 1, 2016
Back in Memorial Stadium for Practice #1 of the @LovieSmith Era! #Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/dbtVqC5j6m
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) April 1, 2016
It's been 358 days. Finally, go time. pic.twitter.com/wCPp0aNLsy
— Mikey Dudek (@MDFlash_7) April 1, 2016
Been a whole year since I've been able to play football, practice, and compete I'm glad to be back with my team @IlliniFootball #theReturn
— Justin Hardee (@jhardee_19) April 2, 2016
Good first day of spring ball! Hype to start this journey of success. #illinifootball
— Caleb Isaiah Day (@IsaiahDay7) April 2, 2016
My favorite part of practice so far: Hardy Nickerson chasing anyone who lets up before the whistle screaming RUN TO THE BALL RUN TO THE BALL
— Robert (@ALionEye) April 2, 2016
A little rain to make practice #1 interesting. ?? #Illini #SpringBall pic.twitter.com/sFhvG99PJs
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) April 2, 2016
