DIA Mentioned in Clout Admissions Scandal

What if one of the donors wanted a 7th home football game? Or to have UI sports on a real radio station? Terrible.

DIA Screws Up Football Parking: NOT SHOCKING!

Wow, lots of angry folks complaining about their parking assignments. So if you donate $100 to I Fund, you get worse parking than if you spend $120 ($20 per 6 home games)???

Ruh Roh: Will There Be A Hoops Game At United Center?

My previous post talked about December 5. Now comes word that as part of Guenther's Folly, UI agreed to play a home and home with WMU in basketball for the next two seasons.

The first game will be in Champaign...on December 13!!!

So, is there going to be a game at the United Center? And if so, when?

Did I mention that St. Guenther totally screwed the basketball team by forcing them to play AT Western Michigan in hoops in 2010?

Did I mention that the football return game in Champaign is not until 2012?

Ron Guenther-he is a master negotiator!

Scheduling Snafu for Hoops?

Idaho newspaper reporting that Illinois will play Boise State at Assembly Hall on Saturday, December 5. That is the same day Illinois hosts Fresno State in football (more dumb scheduling by Ron Guenther, a football game in December!)

Normally the first Saturday in December is the basketball game at United Center (as Cory Bradford called it, Grandma's House). The rumor was that Illinois would play Gonzaga at the United Center on Sunday, December 6.

What is going on? Come on Guentherphiles, tell us!

Does Coach Guenther Have His Sports Confused?

In basketball, you are rewarded come NCAA tournament time if you play a hard schedule, it's part of the RPI formula. In football, if you play a tough schedule, you get a) 5 bowl games in 17 seasons; b) a record of 78-117-2 as athletic director; c) failing to make bowl games in consecutive seasons as athletic director; d) fans calling you an "idiot."

Per this article, Illinois has the 9th toughest nonconference schedule in the country! And, just 6 home games to boot! Ron, YOU IDIOT!

Some Good News!

U of I is finally done paying that chump Ron Turner! Five years after he got fired, U of I was still paying him! He got $235,000 not to coach at Illinois! Ron Guenther, YOU IDIOT!

Also, Ron Zook got paid a lot of money for a crap season last year. Same with the great Mike Locksley.

Did Coach Guenther Report Memphis to NCAA?

That is an inference being made by a Kentucky blogger. Am I the only one who finds it odd that Ron will talk to the media about Derrick Rose, but not his failure to schedule football games properly? Funniest comment: "Illinois should put a muzzle on its AD." We couldn't agree more!

Congratulations, Best AD in the Country!

After 17 years on the job, you finally figured out that scheduling is critical to a football program's success! "all that said, since we want to get to seven or eight home games, you have to evaluate the neutral game." No Ron, you don't play neutral site games in St. Louis (you know, which is in the same state as Missouri, your opponent, who always has more fans there) or in DETROIT!

Guenther on Derrick Rose: "Basketball has issues."

Great analysis, Ron! Why not call Derrick an "idiot" like you did Warren Carter. How about addressing the issues around UI football? You know, like getting 7 home games, keeping players out of trouble, etc?

Fire President White

President White, a Michigan man, has made a mockery of the University. First, he didn't lift a finger to stop the scalping of Chief Illiniwek. Now, he is going to correct the "clout" policy of admissions. What a joke? Did someone offer Ron Guenther a game in Detroit in exchange for letting an unqualified applicant enroll?

What is the deal with UI Sports on Chicago Radio?

My recollection is that the WIND deal expired after this season. Are the Illini going to be stuck on that weak-signal station again? LIBERALS HATE IT!

Meantime, NIU is on the Score. And for all you yambags who keep telling us WSCR is not an option, you must be crying tears on behalf of Jim Turpin.

Sportswriter Questions New Contract for Weber

And he's from a town south of Interstate 80! Naturally, this guy, who makes excellent points, is not from East Central Illinois.

Another Illinois Football Player Arrested

I have lost track of the number of Illinois football players arrested since last season (and I am not even counting McPhearson and Jody Ellis getting arrested for burglary back in 2006). This time, it is backup offensive lineman Mike Garrity getting charged with felony assault. This kind of misconduct would be more tolerable if Illinois was actually going to bowl games on a regular basis, not to mention having a seventh home game. Great job Mike! Now Illinois is on the board in the infamous Fulmer Cup standings!

OUTRAGE! Bruce Weber to Get Pay Raise!

Two seasons ago, Weber "led" Illinois basketball to the most losses in school history. This season, the team performed much better (NCAA tournament) that ended with a thud with our mid-major coach being thoroughly outcoached by a rookie mid-major coach.

Now, Ron Guenther, BEST AD IN THE COUNTRY!!!!, is giving Weber a pay raise? Here is the agenda item from the UI Trustees. Further, according to this article, Weber's pay raise is a whopping 50%!!!! Why is Ron Guenther awarding a mediocre performance? Why is he extending this guy's contract to 2015?

For all you zealots, where would Weber be going if he didn't get this pay raise and contract extension after his performance the last two seasons? Answer: NOWHERE.

Hey Ron Guenther! How about spending this money instead to get a 7th home football game?

Times Are Tough

Fewer Meet and Greets this year. Why not have two in Chicagoland instead of one? The DIA could have one in Chicago and one in the suburbs. As it is, the DIA is having just one, in Oak Brook. Must be that bias against all things north of Interstate 80.

New Football Poster for 2009?

Is this thing photoshopped? The stands are full but no one is on the field. The sky looks off too.

Rumor on New Football Parking Policy of DIA

Just when you thought the DIA couldn't get any dumber...

Rumor is that DIA will allocate parking lots based on your I-fund priority points, like when the DIA reallocated seating after the renovations of Memorial Stadium.

Old policy was that you could park in any lot lower than your I Fund level. If what I am hearing is true, now you can only park in the lot you picked. For example, the Loyalty Circle always had the lot next to stadium, but many Loyalty Circle members chose to park across street in grass. Now they have to choose.

Some Questions for Guenther Fans

I notice that Guenther fans are coming out of the woodwork!

1) Explain how having just 6 home football games for 4 straight years doesn't hurt the team or the program.

2) Explain how keeping UI sports on WIND radio in Chicago, with its weak signal, doesn't hurt the program.

3) Explain why Saint Guenther is a "Football Guy" even though the football program's record under his leadership is 78-117-2 and just 5 bowl games in 17 seasons.

4) Explain why Ron Guenther should not have been fired for calling Warren Carter an "idiot" will sitting on press row.

Can Ron Guenther and the DIA be Any More Incompetent?

Their stupidity knows no bounds. Now, it's official. Illinois is hosting Fresno State in football on December 5!!!!! Wow, will there be more than 25K in attendance? What about the men's basketball game at United Center? Folks, why not move the game to Alaska?

Now that the school has scalped Chief Illiniwek, can we rename our school the Fighting Eskimos? We can have an Eskimo dance at halftime instead of Chief Illiniwek! How about some ice fishing in Boneyard Creek!

I want to hear the usual Guenther fans defend this move. Loren Tate, where are you?

Nasty Rumor About Fresno State Football Game

First, we keep hearing that ESPN is offering big cash money to move the game at Cincinnati (6 home games) to Turkey Friday. Now we are hearing that Illinois may move its home game (6 home games!) vs. Fresno State to December 5....which would create a conflict with the United Center home game vs. Gonzaga.

The DIA is forcing loyal fans to choose between hoops and football. Even if the DIA moves the basketball game to another date, who the heck is going to sit in Memorial Stadium in December? Ron Guenther, YOU IDIOT!

Fire Up the One Man Search Committee!

Wrestling Coach Mark Johnson retired. Good luck Coach!

No Spring Football Practice in Chicagoland?

That is what it looks like, there is no mention of a practice in Chicago on fightingillini.com. So what is the reasoning for this?



1) Coach Guenther wants to save money by not spending cash to transport the team and equipment to Chicagoland?



2) Coach Guenther, as usual, doesn't want to market Chicagoland? Great job DIA!



3) The DIA doesn't want Ron Zook and the coaching staff to be booed by fans angry from last season's disaster?



Good job Football Guy!

Is the DIA Really "Sensitive" to Fans & the Economy?

post below references how some DIA dude thinks Guenther is sensitive to the fans and the economy because the DIA didn't raise prices on football tickets. Never mind that the team went 5-7 and grossly underachieved last season....

1) I Fund has already sent out letters for donations & renewals. In years past, we thought the I Fund didn't send renewals until April.

2) What is with this "You Decide" parking system for football in 2009? A source got a letter about this...sounds like an excuse to charge more money for the same parking spot as last season. Pretty soon the Blue Lot will be on St. Mary's Road...

3) We've had an Orange Lot pass for the past several years...sometimes the parking attendant (old hag with orange & blue hair) makes us go to the Blue Lot because jerks in Orange Lot have taken up multiple spaces for tailgates.

Post-Mortem on men's basketball season

1) Team played hard

2) Limited talent

3) Why does Weber insist on running motion offense all the time even against smaller teams?

4) How does a Big 10 coach get owned by a rookie head coach from a mid-major school?

5) Congrats to Weber and Guenther for dialing down expectations so low that most UI fans think losing in the first round of the tournament to a midmajor school is a good season.

Ron Guenther Shows His "Sensitive" Side

Chris Hanna, YOU IDIOT!!! "I think Ron Guenther has shown a lot of sensitivity toward fans both in pricing horseshoe and student tickets and in not raising prices," Illinois assistant athletic director Chris Hanna said. "He's got a strong record of pricing in a way that's fan friendly." How about some fan-friendly scheduling, Chris?

Hey, the basketball team is in the NCAAs. Where is Coach Guenther gonna sit for the gane?

Football Guy and Crocodile Tears

Ron, you ain't fooling us!

As for a schedule that finds Illinois playing Cincinnati and Fresno State in
late November at the conclusion of the conference race, Guenther shook his head:
"I'm not happy about it, but there isn't much I can do when we're presented with
an open date at the end. Somebody had to be there, and I hope the conference
changes that in the future. We really got stuck with few options after electing
to keep the open date in September."

OFFICIAL: Illinois @Cincinnati

that loser Football Guy just sold out the football program for $350K. 400 free tickets? The return game isn't until 2013? The home team gets to use officials from its conference? And the best part, if the visiting team doesn't sell its allotment of 3000 tickets, the remaining tickets are deducted from the $350K guarantee!!!! How many Illinois fans will want to visit bucolic Cincinnati on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend?

Ron, YOU IDIOT! Someone ask Ron Zook for his thoughts.


6 home games again!!!!

Where is that Code of Conduct for Student-Athletes?

Probably lost in the East Central Illinois Triangle...along with a 7th home football game, having UI sports on a real radio station in Chicagoland and having the ladies play basketball at Huff.

What was the Worst Part About Last Night's Hoops Game?

1) Giving up only 38 points and still losing?
2) Bruce Weber refusing to use timeouts in the first half?
3) Not trying a press?
4) The hacks in Orange Krush not making any noise and texting their friends during the game?

Naw, I vote for the empty seats in Section A. Great job, blue hairs!

ALMOST OFFICIAL: Just 6 Home Football Games in 2009-AGAIN!

Is Coach Guenther trying to fool UI fans? Illinois has not yet announced its 12th football game for 2009...but suspicion has lingered that the game will be AT Cincinnati..thus NOT a 7th home game. Well, here is what Cincinnati says.... If True, Coach Guenther should pack his belongings and exit Bielfeldt immediately.

This stupidity is enough to make any true Fighting Illini fan vomit.

Where Is The Rest of the Football Schedule?

Still waiting for that 12th game to be announced...you can hold out hope for a 7th home game but expect the game to be in Detroit, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Fresno, or Mali....anywhere but Memorial Stadium since Coach Guenther is clearly incompetent at scheduling home games.

Good News!

It appears Chris Norwell, former defensive tackle on the 2008 Rose Bowl team, is now cancer-free. You're in our prayers, Chris!

Purdue Student Section Coming to Assembly Hall?

That is the rumor on the internet. Great job selling out the game, DIA & Bruce Weber!

Did the DIA Create a Potential Fire Hazard at Assembly Hall?

Lost in yesterday's win over iowa is that there was snow and ice falling off the roof at Assembly Hall. According to this article, every entrance to Assembly Hall but one was sealed off. Isn't this a fire trap?

Penn State=Solid Football Schedule

8 home games!! see that, Ron Guenther?

Will Coach Guenther Raise Football Ticket Prices?

Since Ron is always concerned about the bottom line, will he raise football ticket prices to generate more revenue? The ticket prices, especially in the horseshoe, have been real cheap the past two seasons. What will Ron do? Is raising ticket prices a smart move in this economy?

Maybe he should lower ticket prices to get more fans to attend games... like $5 tickets for Indiana basketball!

Michigan State AD is Smarter than the Football Guy

Good stuff to read: Michigan State will NOT be playing Western Michigan in freaking Detroit. "The economic climate has changed dramatically in the last seven months, and considering the financial risks, it was in the best interest of all parties for this game to be played on campus," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said in a statement.

Now Michigan State will have 7 home games! Can you say that, Ron Guenther? YOU IDIOT!

Football Program=SUCKERS

Yep, Larry Johnson of Penn State just played UI like a violin. Shocking!

Is the DIA Trying to Imitate the NBA?

What kind of tomfoolery "entertainment" is this? I miss Chief Illiniwek.

Assembly Hall=Morgue for Women's Hoops

Come on Ron, move the ladies to Huff! They played there when they won the Big 10 under the vaunted Theresa Grentz (good riddance!) and then Queen Grentz whined about how the women should be treated like the men. So you gave in, moved them to Assembly Hall so 500 people can watch them play. It's an outrage!

No New Arena or Renovation of Assembly Hall-SHOCKING!

Yep, Coach Guenther realized the money ain't there to renovate Assembly Hall or build a new arena. Hey Ron, the money was there 5 years ago...you know, when basketball was hot, football sucked and the economy was good. Instead, you chose to renovate Memorial Stadium for a crappy football team. Hey Ron, maybe if you stopped giving away home games, donors would be more inclined to pony up the cash! Ron, YOU IDIOT!!!!

DIA=Small Time Thinking on the Budget

Is it any wonder coaches leave Illinois for better money elsewhere? Read this article: Illinois has the 2d smallest budgt in the Big 10!!! Yet it pays the "Football Guy" the 3d highest salary in the Big 10!!!!

Think Small, Be Small=Motto of the DIA!

Chaos On Football Coaching Staff?

First, OC Mike Locksley left. Then, DL Coach Tom Sims got sacked by Zook. Now, OL Coach Eric Wolford is leaving for South Carolina. Does Zook have a plan? Why is the special teams coach still on the staff? Will Coach Guenther coach the Offensive Line to save money?

Get Well, Jim Sheppard!!!

We miss you as a PA guy!! Ron, YOU IDIOT! Meantime, why is it that Tom Sims loses his job as DL coach but Mike Woolford as Special Teams coach keeps his job? is the Football Guy going to coach too? Coach Guenther-BARF!

Symbolic of the Football Guy´s Ineptitude

A water pipe burst at Memorial Stadium, flooding the Colonnades Club. Great job, Football Guy!

Loren Tate-Unoffical Mouthpiece for Ron Guenther

Loren Tate is off his rocker again. Read this piece of fishwrap, and you can only conclude that Loren Tate & Ron Guenther think making money is more important than winning football games and going to bowl games. Gee Loren, you don't think stupid scheduling under Ron Guenther is one reason why Illinois has never gone to consecutive bowl games under his "leadership", do you?

How Far has Illinois Basketball Fallen?

Guess how long it's been since the men's basketball team was ranked in the AP Top 25: 33 months & 11 days. Considering how highly ranked the program was when our mid-major coach took over, that is pathetic.

Great job Ron Guenther & Bruce Weber!

An AD as bad as Ron Guenther?

I give you Jay Jacobs of Auburn, who just hired Gene Chizik away from Iowa State. You know, Gene Chizik, who was 5-19 at Iowa State. Fire Jay Jacobs!!!

Illinois spends big money on recruiting

too bad it didn't pay off this season in football or last year in men's basketball, the two revenue sports. As the commentator in the article notes, Guenther will spend money for recruiting but won't spend money to bring a cupcake team to Champaign for a seventh home game!

Can We Get a Code of Conduct for Student-Athletes?

As if the shenanigans of Jamar Smith weren't enough, now we have football player Martez Wilson being stabbed at a Champaign bar. Get well soon Tez! Why is a student-athlete out at 2am during finals week? Hey Ron, if you're not busy giving away home games, how about a curfew for student-athletes?

Coach Guenther=Ca$h Money $killz

So Saint Guenther accepts $300K to play Western Michigan in freaking Detroit, with MAC officials jobbing Illinois and costing Illinois a bowl game and more money.

Now he is paying Northern Illinois $650K to play in Champaign in 2010. Hey Ron, doesn't that mean you are LOSING money? Doesn't that go against the "Family Dollar" approach of the UI athletic department? When will UI have 7 home games? Ron, YOU IDIOT!

Sad Facts of Life Under the Football Guy

Bowl game appearance since 1993 for Big Ten teams:

Illinois-4 Indiana-2 Minnesota-8 Purdue-10 Wisconsin-14 Iowa-12
Michigan State-9 Northwestern-6

Number of losing seasons in football:

1960-1992 (Before Football Guy) 18 losing seasons
1993-2008 (Football Guy) 11 losing seasons

Please end the United Center game for hoops

unless the Fighting Illini are playing a good team. Georgia is a bad team. Further, the fickle Chicago fan base (who can hardly hear the games on WIND Radio-LIBERALS HATE IT!) isn't going to attend a game against a bad opponent, especially when Illinois is not good. A whopping crowd of 12,139 attended today's beating of Georgia (for the Football Guy, Georgia is a football school.) Heck, you could have had your own seating section!!!!!

This basketball team, while not good, is trying hard and deserves better. Great job of marketing Chicagoland, Coach Guenther!

Missing Fans

Where are the Loyalty Circle dopes and East Central Illinois zealots who blindly support Saint Guenther? Plenty of empty seats in A Section.

Attendance was 14,741, well short of a sellout. Pathetic. Remember when a ticket to Illinois men's basketball was gold?

Did Loren Tate claim that Clemson is the best team Illinois will play all year? Good grief. Hey Loren, keep on telling us that Ron Guenther is the greatest athletic director in the history of the University of Illinois!

Why Were Arrests Not Reported?

Unsurprisingly, the East Central Illinois media (the same dopes who annually praise Ron Guenther and refuse to ask tough questions of him or admit that he is a terrible athletic director) failed to report arrests of several Illinois football players this year. Heck, given Jamar Smith's problems (and that the basketball program finally cut him loose) you'd think the dopes at the DIA would want to be tougher on discipline.

Perhaps the DIA can use the money it spends on the Irwin Academic Center for student-athletes to come up with a disciplinary code for student-athletes...or a way for the football team to have seven home games....

Where Are Guenther's Apologists Now?

I know it's Thanksgiving, but come out of the closet you Guenther fans! You're hiding! Defend your false Football God now!

Get Ready for Guenther's Folly 2!

Ron Zook himself confirmed that Coach Guenther, Football Guy, has yet again scheduled just 6 home games for the football program....a road game @Cincinnati (who may win the Big East and be in the BCS) for the Saturday after Thanksgiving next year!

So to repeat, just 6 home games for 2007-2010. Way to go, Ron!

Football Guy: 78-117-2.

5 bowl games in 17 years. the team has NEVER gone bowling in consecutive seasons under his watch. Detroit. St. Louis. 6 home games.

Trustees, please put this clown out to pasture.

6 Home Games in 2009...AGAIN!

6 home games in 2007. 6 home games in 2008 (DETROIT!) 6 home games in 2010.

and now, it could be 6 home games in 2009, per Bob Asmussen of the Champaign News-Gazette.

If this is true, Ron Guenther should be tarred and feathered by the fans, Ron Zook and the Champain County Chamber of Commerce.

Ugly Rumor Regarding 2009 Football Schedule

going around on illinihq.com is that UI will play @Cincinnati on November 28, 2009. This would mean 6 home games in 2007, 6 home games in 2008, 6 home games in 2009 and 6 home games in 2010.

This rumor, if true, will cause Illini Nation to get even more angry than the stupidity of this year's Guenther's Folly in Detroit.

Sad Decline of Men's Hoops Continues

Illinois has enjoyed 60 straight sold-out games at Assembly Hall. However, that streak may end on Friday night. Roughly 2000 seats remain for Friday's game. Hey Ron, if you want to sell out the game, move it to Detroit, St. Louis or Pesotum!

Result of Guenther's Folly: RON, YOU IDIOT!!!

Well, given the Football Guy's ineptitude (5 bowl games in 16 years, an overall football record hovering around .400) it shouldn't be a surprise that Illinois lost to a freaking MAC team...in freaking Detroit yesterday. I was one of the morans who attended the game, a whopping 12,000 in attendance! This game was a no-win from the start: even if Illinois won, it's a MAC team who a Big 10 team should always beat. If Illinois loses, it's even worse. Now, Illinois has to win both vs. Ohio State and @Northwestern to be guaranteed a bowl game. Winning 6 games make you bowl-eligible but doesn't guarantee that you are going to a bowl game.

Meantime, I sure hope Ron Guenther, the best AD in the country (HAAAA!) spends that $300K wisely... you know, the same amount Western Michigan paid Tennessee Tech earlier this year. I wonder if Warren Carter called Ron Guenther an "idiot" when he saw the final score? Also, due to Ron's ace negotiating skills, MAC officials officiated the game. Can anyone explain the defensive holding call on Illinois' pick 6? That changed the game around. Great job Ron!

On the bright side, finally the media are calling out Saint Guenther. First, Herb Gould of the Chicago Sun-Times uses the term "Guenther's Folly." Second, I have called out Eric Loy of WDWS radio a homer in the past. Today, I take that back. Mr. Loy, I congratulate you for calling out the DIA for scheduling this ridiculous game in the first place. Now maybe Loren Tate will notice and criticize Saint Guenther....ah I doubt it.

Ron Guenther: Real Man of Economic Genius

Well no kidding Ron, the economy is struggling. If you had any foresight, you would have raised the money to build a new arena back in 2002 or 2003 (or even 2005) when men's basketball was still good.

My prediction: UI goes the cheap route, renovates Assembly Hall, puts the team on the road for a season and the renovated Assembly Hall looks like garbage.

Hey Ron, put that $300K guarantee from Guenther's Folly in Detroit to good use!

More Sad Facts About Guenther's Folly

Can you believe that Coach Guenther, ace Football Guy, agreed to this crap?

1) Just 6 home games for UI, coming off a Rose Bowl appearance and having a renovated Memorial Stadium to show off.

2) Western Michigan "hoped" to sell 20,000 tickets.

3) So far, just 10,000 sold!

4) Illinois is only getting $300,000 from the game, which is the same amount Western Michigan paid to freaking Tennessee Tech!

5) Western Michigan only has to return one game to Champaign.

Ron Guenther, you are a real man of AD genius...NOT!

Guenther's Folly is Here!!!

Lost in all the hoopla over beating the iowa sodomites is that now Illinois, instead of having a 7th home game, has only 6 and now must play Western Michigan, a MAC school, in freaking Detroit. Great job Coach Guenther!!!!

Guenther's Folly Gets Even Worse

the game will be on ESPN360.com!!! Not on regular television!

As a poster noted on the illiniboard, Guenther really whiffed on this thing.

1. 90% of folks won't be able to watch it.

2. It's basically an "away" game in the state of the opposing team.

3. It's a team you are SUPPOSED to beat and of course they are having a surprisingly good year.

4. This debacle gave us only 6 home games in a year when the schedule was going to be particularly brutal and after spending millions on stadium renovations.

5. If we lose this game and end up not going to a bowl this will be the game that stuck the fork in this frustrating year.

GREAT JOB COACH GUENTHER!

Finally! A Media Member Questions Weber

Ok, it is rather mild, but it is a start. Good to see someone has noticed that the fans are questionsing our mid-major coach and are not just a bunch of "internet nuts."

Meantime, the attendance at the scrimmage shows how far men's basketball has fallen. Attendance used to be around 7000, but this year it was just 2500.

Big news is that Chester Frazier cut his hair. Any chance he can give Ron Guenther a new 'do?

Men's Basketball Season Is Near. Does Anyone Care?

It is truly sad that Bruce Almighty Weber, Coach Guenther's handpicked successor to Bill Self, took a Porsche and turned it into an Edsel. Three seasons removed from making the NCAA tournament title game, Illinois failed to make the postseason.

This season, the Fighting Illini planned on the legend of Jamar Smith carrying the team to the NCAA tournament. After giving the convicted felon a second chance (or multiple Steve Howe baseball last chances) the program finally booted him this summer after being arrested, accused of violating parole from the drunk driving accident that left teammate Brian Carlwell injured (he's now transferred to San Diego State).

So now, fate rests in the hands of Alex Legion, a Kentucky transfer. I expect him to take 20 shots a game and Illinois to fail to make the postseason yet again,in consecutive seasons. That has not happened since the 1990-91 & 1991-92 seasons. Even that is an anomaly, as UI woulda made it in 90-91 but for NCAA probation caused by Bruce Pearl being a turd.

Great job Saint Guenther in hiring a mope to ruin our once-proud men's basketball program! Would Northwestern AD Jim Phillips give a convicted felon a second chance? I think not.

Assembly Hall Renovation=A Pipe Dream?

Given the woeful state of the economy and the equally woeful state of the men's basketball program, what will Coach Guenther do with Assembly Hall, if anything?

Meantime, I blame Coach Guenther for last week's loss to Minnesota. Great pep speech, Coach Guenther!!! Next time, if you want the fans to make noise, give us more than 6 home games!

Maybe Ron Guenther Is Right

and the team should play all 12 games on the road, since the foootball team plays poorly at home. So next week's game at home vs. Indiana should be played in Evansville.

Low Attendance Expected for Detroit-SHOCKING!

We've previously discussed the Football Guy's stupidity for scheduling a game vs. Western Michigan in freaking Detroit. Great job Saint Guenther! 6 home games!

Now comes word that the ticket sales are rather, um....slow.

Good seats are available for Illinois-Western Michigan. Gobs of them. And
at a cheaper-than-Big-Ten-game price. On Tuesday night, tickets 30
rows up on the 40-yard line could be bought for $39 each. Tickets eight rows up
on the 15-yard line could be had for $29 each. And $22 tickets will get you in
the end zone seats in the lower level.

Ford Field holds 65,000 for football. Western Michigan is hoping for
half that. "We're probably projecting between 20-30,000," Western Michigan
ticket manager Don Beyer said.

So Illinois is going to play a trap game the week before the huge game vs. Ohio State in freaking Detroit, in an empty stadium. Hey Ron, with your ace negotiating skills, is the game also going to use MAC officials?

I wonder if this game in Detroit will outdraw the attendance for this outdoor basketball practice after the football game on Saturday. It probably will, given how far men's basketball has fallen with our dopey mid-major head coach who can't recruit.

Same Old Loren Tate

Loren Tate of the Champaign News-Gazette is as predictable as the Cubs choking in the playoffs. He annually writes an article before the season about how the team looks physically stronger (like Ron Turner, he likes the look in their eyes!) and the football team should do well.

Then, as a commentator points out, he turns on them once the season doesn't start right (an annual tradition under the Football Guy). Then, after the season, he'll whine about how Illinois can't compete with Michigan & Ohio State. Loren Tate & Ron Guenther needs to ride off into the sunset.

Syracuse Fans Hate Their AD!!!

I found this great site bashing Syracuse AD Darryl Gross. Good to see other fans taking to the internet to get rid of a lousy athletic director!

Ron Zook is Mad at Saint Guenther

Does Ron Guenther consult his coaches before he makes schedules? Apparently not, because Ron Zook is royally angry at Lord Guenther for having just 6 home games in 2010 and now we're doing a home and home with Fresno State.

Same Old Story: More Dumb Scheduling by the Football Guy

Just when you thought there was an end to stupid scheduling like a 4 year series with Missouri in St. Louis, playing Western Michigan in Detroit and having just 6 home games, Coach Guenther fumbles. AGAIN! Just another kick in the balls by Coach Guenther to long-suffering Fighting Illini football fans!

This time, he has scheduled Illinois to play Fresno State in Champaign in 2009 (ok) and @Fresno State in 2010. The 2010 game makes no sense. Illinois is still playing Missouri in St. Louis....so in 2010, it's 6 home games AGAIN! Not to mention, it's playing a road game at a non-BCS Conference school! BOGGLE.

Those who don't learn from past mistakes are doomed to repeat them. Ron Guenther just screwed over suite holders and Champaign merchants yet again.

Worse, will WAC officials do the game in Fresno? If you saw the Wisconsin at Fresno State game on Saturday, you saw bad officiating. A Fresno player clearly fumbled, and on replay they upheld the call that it was no catch!

Classic trap game. Ron, you moron!

Big Ten Network is a Joke

When this blog agrees with the criticism made by a member of the East Central Illinois Media Elite, you know someone screwed up. Our pal Eric Loy is right on-why the heck did the Big Ten Network show the Southern Illinois@Northwestern game in Champaign instead of the Illinois game? Hey Ron Guenther, where is your public letter to Jim Delany expressing your outrage?

Meantime, the whole "Night of Legends" thing honoring men's basketball greats is neat, but is it just a ploy to get fans to forget the current shoddy state of the men's basketball program?

I Miss Jim Sheppard

the new PA guy is boring and not good. How many times did he talk over the guy announcing the legends? Brutal. Also, since three suites are not sold, will the DIA rent them to fans of opposing teams for the cash?

Ready does not mean Done

So Saturday the renovated Memorial Stadium will be unveiled. The DIA keep saying Memorial Stadium will be ready, which is a lot different from saying the renovations will be done. Suite holders will be upset if their suites are not finished. Don't be surprised to see stuff not done on Saturday. Hey bring a utility belt and Coach Guenther can put you to work! There's only 6 home games this year so don't miss it!

73-111-2

Thanks for scheduling a loss in St. Louis for a phat paycheck, Ron. I hope you zealots out there read this quote in today's Champaign News-Gazette.

"You can duck these games," Guenther told Steve Kelly during a halftime interview on the Illini Sports Network. "My point is, you don't duck them. You play them."
The A.D. said Saturday's game and environment "may be bigger than a bowl game.

Um, Ron..... 1) We've been to just 5 bowl games in your 16 years on the job. 2) I hope you saw that the other teams in the Big 10 opened with cupcakes like Coastal Carolina, Maine, Northern Illinois, Youngstown State and Akron to get the kinks worked out. Why play a top 5 opponent in the first game of the year?

STOP THE PRESSES! Guenther talks to the media!

Coach Guenther had a sitdown with the media! This shows just how insulated this guy has become. He's afraid of journalists not located in East Central Illinois asking him the tough questions. Meantime, if you want to read his whitewash of the great Bruce Weber, or what he plans to do about Assembly Hall, read it here. Hey Ron, if you had started a fundraising drive for a new arena five years ago (you know, back when basketball was hot and football stunk) we'd already have a new arena. Good luck getting the money for renovations or a new arena, given the current economy and how bad the basketball team is on & off the court!

Guenther Rationalizes Guenther's Folly

in today's News-Gazette. Let's examine his idiotic statements.

1) "The 12th game came about. Our conference didn't move until a year ago to move the date so that we're going to be able to play 12 games in 13 weeks, which is the NCAA rule. We were trying to play 12 in 12. By the time we got around to looking at scheduling, there weren't that many options that were out there."

Um, what? Ron, back when you scheduled the series with Missouri in St. Louis (forfeiting yet another home game, good grief) you didn't hear the rumors about the NCAA making the 12th football game permanent? Then you say "by the time we got around to looking at scheduling" like it's an afterthought. What the heck were you doing? You got caught with your proverbial pants down and you failed to schedule a 7th home game for 2007 & 2008.

2) "My deal basically with the MAC Conference, which I like a lot, is to get two or three here and then we return to a neutral as opposed to returning to a MAC site. That's how that occurred."

Oh my. Is your contract with the MAC or with Western Michigan? When is UI getting these "two or there here" that you speak of? The future schedules I've seen for 2009 & beyond do not show any MAC teams other than Western Michigan, who isn't coming here until 2011!! If these home games vs. MAC teams are in the future, why is UI playing the first game on the road? (Let's stop calling it a neutral site game)

Or are you saying that UI already got its two or three home games with Western Michigan in 2004 & 2011; Ohio in 2006 and Ball State in 2007?

We have a newly renovated stadium to show to fans, alumni, alumni with big money, recruits, and students. Why the heck is UI the only Big 10 team with 6 home games? Why, as part of the deal, is the men's basketball team playing a home and home with Western Michigan? If Illinois wants to be like Ohio State or Michigan in football (I'd be happy with being like Wisconsin since Barry Alvarez took over) you don't give away home games. Illinois just got a beatdown from a MAC school because the Football Guy fumbled the football.

RON YOU IDIOT!

Typical East Central Illinois Media Lovefest for Guenther

Hey Loren Tate, great job interviewing Ron Guenther and failing to hammer him on why he sold out for just 6 home games!

Loren Tate on Football Schedules: More Stupidity

The resident East Central Illinois Media Elite Zealot, Loren Tate of the Champaign News-Gazette, is off his rocker. Loren thinks Illinois should have seven home games (duh!) against big-time teams (uh, no). Read this and see if it makes sense:

Admittedly, tougher scheduling would not always have its rewards. There would be years when good Illini teams would not qualify for the postseason. But consider the enormous positives and how the competitive juices would be whetted for Illini fans and players in a truly challenging September.

Loren, the point of getting to a bowl game is to a) reward the players for their hard work during the season; b) give the fans someplace nice to go over the Christmas holiday; c) make money for the school; and above all d) give your younger players two extra weeks of practice that they would not get otherwise if the team didn't make a bowl game.

Loren, need I remind you that Illinois has gone bowling only 5 times in Guenther's 16 years on the job? Or that Illinois has not gone bowling in consecutive seasons since 1991 & 1992? You know, BEFORE Guenther took over and ruined the football program?

Loren, we understand that you love all things Ron Guenther. This explains why you fail to criticize the best A.D. in the country for his terrible decision to schedule a game vs. Western Michigan in freakin' Detroit and leave UI with only 6 home games.

And I cannot wait for the Guenther fans to comment that "But Guenther has taken UI to 2 BCS games!" My response: So what? those bowls were 7 seasons apart and were the only bowl games Illinois has played in this decade!

DIA Priorities Screwed Up

Why is it that when men's basketball was great (seems long ago, doesn't it?) that the DIA, instead of hyping the hot team, hyped the lousy football program?

Now the situation is reversed, and the DIA is promoting the lousy basketball program at the expense of the hot football program with this "Night of Legends" deal and the practice at Memorial Stadium on Homecoming. Is the DIA trying to make us forget Jamar Smith?

If Deon Thomas is not going to be honored at this event, it is a joke.

Basketball Practice at Memorial Stadium????

Chicago Tribune reports that the basketball teams will practice at Memorial Stadium after the football game vs. Minnesota on October 11. A hardwood court will be laid down.

1) Will alcohol be served?
2) Will the Memorial Stadium renovations be completed by October 11?

Jamar Smith. In Trouble. AGAIN!

Hey Ron Guenther, did you call Jamar an idiot after he got arrested for allegedly violating his probation from that DUI that almost killed teammate Brian Carlwell? Allegedly, Jamar was out at 2:30 a.m. (WHY????) and a Champaign cop smelled alcohol on his breath, which would violate the terms of his probation.

Guenther, you did the wrong thing by allowing this convicted felon to remain on scholarship. Please boot Jamar off the team NOW. And then, please resign. And move to Detroit.

Typical East Central Illinois Media

WDWS, flagship station for the DIA, had Coach Guenther on the radio for 15 minutes yesterday. The hsots lacked the guts to ask Guenther why Illinois football has only 6 home games this year.

Great job guys!

CNN SI Ranks the Top 25 College Athletic Programs

Illinois fails to not only crack the Top 25, Illinois can't even get into the "best of the rest" category! So much for the myth of Illinois having a well-rounded sports program. That myth is always cranked out by Guenther loyalist and East Central Illinois media types. As we know, Illinois has won just 0.5 Big 10 titles in all sports the past two years.

I Fund Kowtows to Political Correctness

Yeah, as if it wasn't bad enough that Chief Illiniwek was sacrificed at the altar of political correctness.....now the I Fund has gotten rid of such offensive terms as "Warrior Club" and "Brave Club" and replaced them with real exciting terms such as "Champion Club" and "All-American Club."

For crying out loud, if the DIA was going to go all P.C., why not call the clubs the "Butkus Club" or the "Grange Group"; something to reflect UI's history????

Great job Ron! Oh, and another thing, great job lobbying your pal Jim Delany for night games at Memorial Stadium! The Eastern Illinois and Louisiana-Lafayette games are at 11 AM!!! Meantime, Indiana & Minnesota (real football powerhouses) get 6 PM games in September!

Will Memorial Stadium Renovations Be Done On Time?

Rededication game is September 6 vs. Eastern Illinois...throwback jerseys!!! This article is optimistic that the renovation will be done...maybe Coach Guenther can put on a hardhat and put up some drywall!

Illinois Doing Poorly in Director's Cup Standings

The Director's Cup is an award given to the most well-rounded intercollegiate sports program. Unsurprisingly, Illinois is doing quite poorly in the standings. This is beacause Illinois doesn't field many sports programs and Illinois has 0.5 Big Ten titles in the past two years. More proof that when the Guenther supports say he's given Illinois a well-rounded sports program, they are full of crap.

Here is how Illinois is doing relative to other Big 10 schools:

1. Michigan 2. Ohio State 3. Penn State 4. Wisconsin 5. Minnesota 6. Purdue 7. Michigan State 8. Illinois 9. Indiana 10. Northwestern 11. iowa

The fact that Illinois is behind Minnesota & Purdue is a joke.

Least Surprising Article of the Day

an article by a Central Illinois sportswriter about Ron Guenther's grand plans for UI athletics. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzz

Has Coach Guenther Lost His Marbles on AH Renovation?

Coach Guenther was on WDWS (East Central Illinois Media Elite!) discussing Assembly Hall renovation. As usual, Loren Tate offered up softball questions. But Ron Guenther had the audacity to mention the possibility of playing Illinois games elsewhere while Assembly Hall is renovated.

Great thinking Ron! Give up what has usually been (last year's abortion of a season excepted) a great home-court advantage to play in Carbondale, Normal or Chicago.

Heck, why not play all the home games in St. Louis or Ford Field in Detroit?

Notre Dame Needs an Athletic Director

now that its AD left for Duke. Ron Guenther would be the perfect hire for Notre Dame. A "Football Guy" for a "Football School." Ron, please take the job!

No Big 10 Titles for the Fighting Illini This Year

Combine that with the 0.5 title the women's track team got last year, that is 0.5 Big 10 titles in all sports over the past two seasons. How soon before an East Central Illinois sportswriter lavishes praise on Saint Ron Guenther for having a well-rounded athletic program?

SHOCKER! Coach Guenther Speaks to the Chicago Media!

Unsuprisingly, it had nothing to do with the state of Illinois athletics or the lousy radio station deal he made with WIND. Rather, it was an article in the Chicago Sun-Times about his pride in being a graduate of York High School. How about talking to the Chicago media about your record as Illinois Athletic Director?

One More Year on Lousy WIND 560-AM in Chicago?

That's what it sounds like from a recent article in the Champaign News-Gazette: Marty Kaufman (assistant AD) is quoted as saying "WIND has been great for us and we may very well enact that extension. They've done everything we've asked them to do." According to the story, the rights fee paid to WIND is at least $200,000. If the DIA agrees to the one year extension of the 3 year contract with WIND, bidding would open up in 2009.

Now, if that happens, spring of 2009 would mean some real competitive bidding for UI sports. WGN's deal with Northwestern expires, so that is one possibility.

Question for the DIA

Any chance that the 2007 Football Season Review that was supposed to be out in March, then May, will be mailed to people before the start of the 2008 season?

More Lack of Marketing in Chicago

Hey the Illini Meet n Greet is happening again this year. My complaint-no event in Chicago! There is an event in Lisle, which is good that the DIA is marketing the suburbs, but a better idea is to have an event in the Chicago suburbs and in Chicago itself.

I also note that once again, there is no event in Rockford. I guess we'll see what the DIA really thinks of Chicago when the radio deal is announced this summer. Will Illini sports be on lousy WIND again?

Non-Revenue Sports Mediocrity

Did any Illinois team win a Big 10 title this year? I think the only team that won a title last year was women's track, and even that was a tie for the title.

How To Get Funding For A New Arena

Get on our knees and beg the General Assembly! Hey if Chicago State University can get Illinois FIRST money for a new arena....named after Chicago Democrat and State Senate President Emil Jones...WHY NOT ILLINOIS!!!!