Dear Illini Family and Friends,

This morning, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved an extension to my contract to serve as your director of athletics through June 30, 2024. Hope and I are humbled by the University's generosity, grateful for the many friendships we have formed over these first years of my tenure, and appreciative of the opportunity to continue raising our young children in Champaign-Urbana. I cannot adequately express the pride I feel to represent our Fighting Illini Family in such a meaningful capacity, and I look forward to continuing our shared pursuit of excellence in the years to come.

To me, today is a resounding endorsement of the important work that we have undertaken together during these last three-and-a-half years. Our Illini Family is strong and represents a broad cross section of stakeholders, including student-athletes, coaches and staff, University colleagues and students, alumni and donors, fans and ticketholders, corporate partners, community members, and more. To each and every one of you, I extend my most heartfelt thanks. Your loyalty and passion are humbling. Your integrity and values are refreshing. Your grit and toughness are inspiring. And your collaborative spirit and competitiveness are energizing. Our program's success – past, present, and future – is because of you.

Many of you have heard me tell the story of the boulder, and the many swings of the sledgehammer that are required to create even the smallest crack in its impenetrable exterior. All of you have taken turns swinging that sledgehammer. Every time you buy a ticket or attend an event, every time you wear an Illinois sweatshirt or fly a Block "I" flag, every time you make a donation or partner with the athletic program, and every time you cheer the Fighting Illini, you have struck a critical blow against that rock. Person by person, day by day, swing by swing, millions upon millions of times, together we have mounted a fierce attack, striving to crumble that boulder and achieve our goals. 

Make no mistake, the boulder has cracked. Because of your efforts and buoyed by your support, passion, and pride, we are seeing significant progress – bold and inspired performances from our student-athletes on the field, on the court, and in the classroom. The fire is lit and the excitement is tangible. Momentum is starting to build. The Illini are bringing the fight, and we are winning.

But now is not the time to celebrate. Now is not the time to rest. Yes, we have made progress, but we have not arrived. Now is the time to push. Now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts. The fire may be lit but we must fan the flames. We must grow our support, expand our reach, and swing that sledgehammer harder and faster than ever before. Our hands may grow calloused and bloody from the effort and our shoulders may ache from the strain, but the crack is there, and we must drive open the opportunity it presents. 

I am thankful for the chance to continue swinging the sledgehammer with you. Representing you, this incredible University, and the Fighting Illini faithful has been the most fulfilling experience of my professional life. I am an Illini son, and I have never been prouder to be part of this Orange and Blue Family. I will give you everything I have. Together, we will shatter that boulder. And together, WE WILL WIN.

On behalf of Hope, Tate, and Will, I offer you and the entire Fighting Illini family our sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation.

I-L-L!

Josh Whitman
Director of Athletics