Illini Football Sets 2001 Big Ten Championship Team’s 25th Anniversary Reunion for Sept. 11-12
August 14, 2026 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois Varsity "I" Association will host members of the Illinois football team's 2001 Big Ten championship football team for a 25th anniversary reunion on campus the weekend of Sept. 11-12. Former Fighting Illini are invited back to Brandon Lloyd's Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame induction on Friday, Sept. 11, before the Illini take on Duke at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The team will be honored at the football game and a special reunion event is scheduled for postgame on Saturday night.
The 2001 squad, led by head coach Ron Turner, finished the season with a 10-2 record, including a 7-1 record in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini were outright Big Ten champions, finished with a final ranking of #12 in the AP Top 25, and earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl against LSU.
The Illini clinched the Big Ten championship with a 34-28 Thanksgiving Day victory over Northwestern in Champaign. Illinois had a perfect 6-0 home record and three ranked wins on the season with victories over #25 Louisville, #15 Purdue, and #25 Ohio State.
Players and staff members from the 2001 team interested in joining the festivities in Champaign should reach out to Kendall Bostic, Assistant Director of Development, Varsity I at kbostic2@illinois.edu for more information.
Schedule of Events
Friday, Sept. 11 — Brandon Lloyd's Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
Saturday, Sept. 12 — Illinois Football vs. Duke and postgame Big Ten championship celebration
