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Over the next few weeks the writers at The Champaign Room will be dishing out personal stories about their Illini fandom, specifically about why, or when, they became a fan.
To kick off our “Why I Became a Fan” series, we wanted to hear from you and find out why YOU became an Illini fan. We hope that you get a better feel for who we are as a staff and where our passions lie over this series as we begin to creep toward another year of Illinois Athletics.
So, we asked, and you answered! Why are you an Illini fan?
I went there.
The computer science program and Illinois being a cheap school to go to as an out of stater. https://t.co/fALvHXs6Fr
— Dave (@nyillini311) May 27, 2018
My parents decided Champaign-Urbana would be a good place to take me on November 12, 1993 instead of Columbus, OH or East Lansing, Michigan or even Eugene, Oregon if only https://t.co/9wQtcrFuV5
— Andrew Fulk (@fulknA) May 27, 2018
My state, my team, my alma mater.
— Jeff Gaede (@JeffGaede) May 27, 2018
My parents had something to do with it.
My parents raised me right.
— Noah (@_noahhagen) May 27, 2018
Raised watching Illini football & basketball. Never asked why...just am!
— Charles Breitwiser (@clbreitwiser) May 27, 2018
It just happened when I was a kid.
No clue.... just started watching them on my own when I was like 6-7 https://t.co/6JxeQyQjrw
— Chris Nichols (@cjnich79) May 27, 2018
I was brought up and introduced to the Illini in 1983. Tailgates, games, marching bands and the people got me hooked on #Illini athletics. I’ll always be there. That’s my happy place. https://t.co/E8sQQXNQaZ
— Patrick Quinn (@PQ101ESPN) May 27, 2018
1967 it was easy as a 12 yo kid to get free tickets on the east side of the stadium and sell them on the west side. 30 bucks for a kid was a good day! ILL
— Tut (@Kingtut1998) May 27, 2018
Born into this lifestyle.
Because I was born to be one. pic.twitter.com/xTyS97x4H8
— KDubs (@RunnerWest) May 27, 2018
3 generations at Illinois and no matter how frustrating they can be I still come back to watch and cheer.
— Todd Gilmore (@tjg49) May 27, 2018
TOWNIE
When I was born at Burnahm Hospital in Champaign, Illinois damn near 36 years ago
— Vick217 (@DustinVick217) May 27, 2018
There was ‘a moment.’
Eddie Johnson’s shot to beat Magic’s #1 ranked Spartans in ‘79.
— John M (@IlliniFan) May 27, 2018
Brian cook post moves.
— Will Wyss (@wILLINI4511) May 27, 2018
Age 17, when I saw Dee, Deron, James, Roger and Luther go on a 20-5 run in 4 minutes to beat Arizona.
— Bob Kibble (@BobDeezel) May 27, 2018
I did it, but maybe I regret it. Just kidding, I don’t (I think).
look we all make mistakes
— fishangelous (@fishangelous) May 27, 2018
John Groce ;) https://t.co/eInIt03mQE
— Sam Root (@svroot22) May 27, 2018
I ask myself everyday
— MPLSKurt (@krvogler) May 27, 2018
And maybe this is the answer.
A curse was placed on me at a young age.
— John Logan (@loggie007) May 27, 2018
Whatever the reason is, we look forward to sharing our stories of Illini fandom with you over the next few weeks and hope that you continue to share your stories with us, whether it be in a Fanpost on the site or a tweet.
As always, ILL-