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CHICAGO – The Fighting Illini traveled to Chicago to kick off the 2017 season with the annual Big Ten Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon. Illinois was represented by head coach Lovie Smith, OL Christian DiLauro, DB Jaylen Dunlap and WR Malik Turner on Monday at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
The trio of Illini players started things off Sunday evening with a trip to Wrigley Field for Cubs-Cardinals before things got going Monday morning for Lovie and the Illini.
Coach Smith and the Illini started off the whirlwind day with several one-on-one television partner interviews and photo shoots with FOX and BTN. Smith joined Sirius XM radio live at 10:45 a.m. and then had his opening press conference at 12:30 p.m. CT in front of a ballroom full of reporters. They day continued with the Illini representatives speaking with dozens of local, regional and national media, a visit to "Radio Row" and an hour-long podium media session where the Fighting Illini fielded questions from hundreds of media members who bounced around the room. The Illini wrapped up the day on the studio set for BTN Live and with the WDWS radio.
Things wrap-up on Tuesday with a public Fan Fest and the 46th Annual Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in a ballroom with with nearly 2,000 Big Ten supporters.
The Fighting Illini open Training Camp on July 31 and the 2017 season on Sept. 2. Tickets are available now.
