August 28, 2021 was a monumental day for head coach Bret Bielema and the Illinois football program. It marked the official start of Bielema's tenure leading the Illini on the field, which was opened by a win over Nebraska.

But after having several months to reflect on that day, Bielema continues to remember one part of it the best — the fans at Memorial Stadium. That Saturday was the first time Illini fans had been back at the stadium since the end of the 2019 season.

In Bielema's postgame press conference he started his opening statement with a thank you to over 40,000 fans, including a packed student section, that were in attendance for his coaching debut. He noted his players reacted well to that energetic atmosphere.

That first game was a significant indicator of what Bielema hopes to see for this program — a crowded Memorial Stadium every time the Illini go to battle on Zuppke Field. So following the first spring practice, Bielema met with 2021 first-year ticket holders over Zoom who bought into the Illini product before they even saw it last fall and have since renewed to spend another season at Memorial Stadium. The support and confidence that group expressed in Bielema from the start still resonates with the coach and his staff.

"It was great to Zoom with our 2021 first-year season ticket holders who have renewed for 2022 after our first spring practice," Bielema said. "To see the passion of our Illini famILLy who are bought in with season tickets was energizing. Our players thrived in big-game environments at Penn State and Minnesota last season, and we need to do everything we can to provide those packed-house atmospheres here at Memorial Stadium again this fall. Thank you to everyone that has purchased tickets and I can't wait to see you all at the Spring Game coming up on April 21."

Tim Parks is one of the new season ticket holders that talked with Bielema. A lot of factors went into Parks' decision to buy a group of four season tickets last fall. Parks grew up donning the orange and blue as his father and grandfather both attended the University of Illinois.

He's been supporting the football team for decades now, but admitted there was a different feel for fans when Bielema was brought on. Due to Bielema's previous coaching successes, Parks was eager to see how the new coach could elevate the Illini.

Another driving factor was Parks' family. He has a few brothers who are all scattered around the state now and are loyal Illini fans just like him. Buying that group of season tickets was a way for his family to reconnect every couple weeks.

"I think anytime you get a new coach, there's always like, a sense of excitement," Parks said. "Just a new chapter, something that us fans can pin our hats to and say, well, we got this to look forward to. But I was interested because they had a lot of guys coming back, new coaches and Coach Bielema has been very successful in the Big Ten. So it was just a whole bunch of different combination of things that kind of just made me excited for the season."

Parks said his first year as a season-ticket holder was incredibly enjoyable. He hadn't actually been to a lot of games prior to the 2021 season and loved the exciting atmosphere that gamedays have to offer.

While Parks was already impressed with the product Bielema put out in his first season, getting to speak with him and hear his passion for the fans left a significant mark.

"I walked away just so impressed, because I don't know how many coaches take the time to talk with first year season ticket holders," Parks said. "So I was just really impressed with that. I'm really impressed with how much effort Bret has put into connecting with the fan base. I mean, he's clearly made that a huge priority. So it was just really cool."

Bielema is excited to see those season-ticket holders return this fall, whether it's their second year or 50th year in the stands. And, he hopes to see even more new faces supporting the Illini every week.

Fans will get a preview of what is to come in 2022 at the Orange and Blue Spring game on Thursday, April 21. The Illini will be under the lights with a chance to showcase what they started learning this week with spring practices.

Season tickets are on sale now for the 2022 season on FightingIllini.com. Single-game tickets are scheduled to go on sale in June. The Illini will play at Memorial Stadium seven times this fall including Big Ten games against Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan State and Purdue.