All Posts Tagged With: "University of Illinois"
The end of an era – Andrew Mason says goodbye
Today the Daily Illini Opinions Editor, Andrew Mason, wrote a farewell column. I’ve had the privilege to get to know Andrew and to discuss many issues concerning the student body, the University, and the state with him. Andrew has a first class temperament, excellent judgment, complete journalistic integrity, and mighty pen. He has championed important student issues, and insisted on accountability from administrators. He takes bold positions, but always does so thoughtfully, with deliberate grace.
I will miss reading his work. In the seven years I spent reading the DI almost every day as a student, and the other three years I’ve continued to read the paper (one before law school, and two after), I believe that Andy Mason is probably the best writer to serve as Opinions Editor. I’ll miss having the opportunity to read his work on a daily basis.
Best of luck Andrew, and Bravo!
Recruits on display
Fighting Illini Basketball fans should check out this feature at Illinois Loyalty, it shows photos and videos of some of our incoming recruits and a few other players we’re targeting.
Some of these guys are coming in 09, but the two most impressive seem to be Crandall Head (Luther Head’s little brother, and yes his name really is Crandall) and Jereme Richmond, both should arrive on campus in two years.
Check out the video of Jereme Richmond. One of his dunks is spectacular. It’s like something from an arcade game. It reminded me of me dunking on Billy Joe Mills on a kiddie hoop. (Click here to see a sequence of photos depicting the Joshua-over-Billy-Joe-esque dunk). And with Crandall Head coming to Illinois, we can once again have fantastic headlines like “Illinois fans really love Head.” Oskee Wow Wow Illinois!
Congratulations to Dean Ruth Watkins
Several of us at Urbanagora have had the opportunity to work with many administrators at the University of Illinois. One of the most capable, proactive, and pro-student administrators I had the privilege of working with was Dr. Ruth Watkins. Yesterday the News Gazette reported that Dr. Watkins is being appointed as the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Read more…
Chambana Secrets
Here is this week’s column. I had a list of about 30 things I wanted to include as Champaign-Urbana’s best kept secrets, but there’s only so much you can do with 750 words.
I’d love to hear other people’s C-U favorites! Read more…
Political speech at Illinois
This week was a victory for free speech at Illinois. President B. Joe White retracted a wrongheaded ethics policy that restricted political speech. White eventually did the right thing, but he displayed a startling lack of common sense and waiting almost three weeks to revoke the policy was a failure of leadership.
A night of legends
Next Tuesday I’m toying with the idea of flying back to Champaign for the “Night of Legends” basketball scrimmage. For any long time Fighting/Flyin’ Illini fans, this should be a special night. Two beloved coaches, Lou Henson and Jimmy Collins will coach the two squads. One will be full of members from the 2005 team, only Augustine wont make it back. The other squad will be members of the 1989 Flyin’ Illini, the first team that made me love basketball. I would love to see these two teams square off in their prime, and I’d probably put my money on the 1989 team if that were possible.
Other fan favorites like Kiwanne Garris and Frank Williams will also be coming home to Champaign Urbana.
Also, Deron Williams will be showing off his gold medal and endowing a scholarship.
Here are some highlights of Frank Williams at his best:
Some 1989 Flyin Illini clips:
Can someone get Katie a beer?
Check out Katie Dunne’s new column in today’s Daily Illini, Booze policy should reflect reality.
U of I Alum Robert Novak writes on his bout with brain cancer
“How a tumor changed my life” by Robert Novak.
Illinois Mens Basketball Schedule Released
It’s available here. Looks like a pretty light schedule for a tough rebuilding year. At least we should have some great recruits coming in next year.