Logan Hanson
FightingIllini.com
As soon as he entered the State Farm Center media room, former Illinois Guard Kendall Gill established what the 1988-1989 Illinois Men's Basketball team meant to him. In a matter of seconds, Gill made his way up through the swarm of media and faculty members to give his former team captain Center Lowell "Low" Hamilton a big hug. It was an easy choice for Gill because he had been waiting for this moment for a while.
"I've looked forward to this for a long time, we rarely are together all at one time anymore…but now seeing all the guys back together I've got tingles," said Gill, "Seeing Nick and Marcus and Larry and 'Low' and all the guys, anytime you're part of a special team like that you form a brotherhood."
The brotherhood was clearly evidenced throughout the media room as the former Flyin' Illini teammates met again to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Although the day marked the 30 years since the team's accomplishments, it was as though time didn't pass for any of the members of one of the most electrifying teams to don the Orange and Blue. High fives were thrown, hugs were given and plenty of jokes were made as the members of the team celebrated a day to reminisce about their historic run to the Final Four.
"Time flies, 30 years," said former Guard Nick Anderson, "We had some good times in here…it's great to be back."
The 1988-89 team was one of the most successful teams in Illinois' illustrious history. The team won a then record 31 games on their way to advancing to the Final Four in Seattle in 1989. One of the greatest moments for the team included the Flyin' Illini capturing the number one ranking in front of the home crowd with a 103-92 victory over Georgia Tech. It marked only the second time in Illinois history that the team earned the number one ranking and the first time since 1952. The Final Four appearance was only the fourth for the program and is one of five for the Illini program today.
In front of a sold out crowd of over 15,000 people, the Flyin' Illini were honored at halftime with a video montage followed by a standing ovation from the Illinois faithful. The most memorable moment of the ceremony came when Head Coach Lou Henson was introduced to the crowd and his former players gathered around the man they called coach.
"It's a family and it's like a family reunion," said Gill, "You haven't seen each other in a long time you saw how I came in and hugged all the guys because I genuinely miss them so it's a great time."
Throughout the game, the videoboard showed some of the team's most unforgettable moments including their Elite Eight victory over Syracuse and a last second game-winning shot by Anderson to lift the Illini over the Indiana Hoosiers. Flying Illini bobbleheads were available for fans to purchase at the State Farm Center. After the game, the Flyin' Illini team members also participated in an autograph session for the sellout crowd. The fan appreciation was one of the most meaningful things for the former players.
"It's a sellout, I mean what more can you ask for?" said former captain Forward Kenny Battle, "Last game we played here was a sellout and now we come back 30 years and there's another sellout. That lets you know that you did something right to continue to get a sellout every time you come into the building."
Whether it is for their historic achievements or their mesmerizing moments, the Flyin' Illini will always be remembered by the Illini and their fans. Although the years have come fast, the Flyin' Illini are still connected and will be forever because for team members it is more than just a team, it's family.
"It was a family," said Anderson "I said it last night amongst all of us, we're a family and family stays together."
The year of the flyin' illini by Illinois Fighting Illini on Exposure
