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Illini QBC
Corporate Partners | |
The Illini Quarterback Club would like to thank our Corporate Partners for their continued support. If you or your business would like information on how to become a corporate partner please contact Michael Byrd at mrb228@aol.com.
ORANGE PARTNERS
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Hilton Garden Inn
Homewood Suites
Star Talent Events
BLUE PARTNERS
Gibson Area Hospital
Bray, Drake, Liles &
Richardson
WHITE PARTNERS
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ILLINOIS (6-2, 2-2)
at
PENN STATE (7-1, 4-0)
Oct. 29, 2:36 CDT
ABC (ESPN2 in some markets)
University Park, Pa. Beaver Stadium
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TELEVISION BROADCAST
The Illinois/PSU game will be nationally televised by ABC (ESPN2 in some markets - coverage map released on Wednesday) with an air time of 2:30 p.m. CDT. Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Brock Huard (color analyst) and Lisa Salters (sideline) will call the action with Jim Zirolli producing. The game also will be streamed live at
ESPN3.com.
RADIO BROADCAST
The 41-station Illini Sports Network will carry the radio broadcast with the pregame show beginning at 2 p.m. CDT. Calling the action will be Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Kurt Kittner (color analyst) and Steve Kelly (pregame, halftime and postgame). The broadcast also can be heard on SIRIUS (135) XM (198) satellite radio.
MORE
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Illini QBC Partner of the Week
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For more than 80 years, we've been helping people like you balance your need to protect what you have with your desire to build for the future. Our COUNTRY financial representatives are local people you know and trust. They're knowledgeable, down to earth and backed by a team of professionals. Whether you're starting your first job, raising a family, putting your children through college or nearing retirement, we can provide a tangible plan for your future financial security. Let us put our experience and financial strength to work for you. |
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Have You Ordered Your Illini QBC Gameday Apparel?
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Coaches Radio Show |  | |
Last Thursday, prior to the Purdue game, Champaign West Rotary attended the Coaches Radio Show in the Colonnades Club. Consider bringing your organization to one of the remaining QBC Coaches Radio Shows.
For information contact:
or
Connie Minnes at
REMEMBER RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED BY MONDAY FOR THE THURSDAY NIGHT RADIO SHOW.
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We Are 6-2!
Aren't We Supposed to Be Happy? |
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Greetings!
Okay, let's get this out on the table. I hate losing. I compete against everyone I know in everything I do. Heck, I even compete against myself sometimes because I know I can always do better. For sure, losing is one of those painful things that each of us handle in a different way. I won't even give my wife and daughters strokes when we play golf. But, now that they beat me, I guess it doesn't really matter anymore. So, for the record, I hated losing to Purdue. But, two days have passed, the sun is shining and the sky is blue. I'll get over it. In fact, I am looking ahead to the Penn State game. Why, because I believe!
I learned quite some time ago, that in order to enjoy success I had to experience defeat. Dana Howard told us a couple of weeks ago that to go where we have never been, we must first do what we have never done. I thought that meant that since we were 6-0, we had to experience 7-0. And then, there would be 8-0 and finally, sure enough, we would end the season undefeated. Sounded easy! I guess I wasn't listening close enough. I think what he was telling us was that if we were to become what we all want to be, we must first believe in who we are. I am an Illini. I believe in our spirit and our tradition. I am proud to be an Illini. I am proud to be part of that tribe .... that Tribe of Illini. Recent years have been a struggle. It would have been a lot easier on the program if all those other teams would have stopped trying to improve their programs. But, apparently, they hate losing too.
What does it mean to be a part of the Tribe of Illini? I means I am family. It means when we lose, I feel the pain. And, when we win, well, remember that Arizona State game? 
This year, I had the privilege of serving meals to the coaches and players at the Annual Coaches/Players Meet and Greet sponsored by the Illini Quarterback Club. There they all were. No helmets, no face guards, no head phones, just real people right there in front of me. To a man, they spoke of being ready for the season. They believed.
But, are we ready? Fans? Do we believe? Well, I for one am prepared to stand behind this team and it's coaches. I know where we have been. I know where we are going. I think we have assembled all of the right pieces. I believe!
GO ILLINI!
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 Thoughts from the Sidelines ......
6 wins and 2 losses. How does that make us feel as Illini fans? Would we feel differently if we had lost to Arizona State and Ohio State and still have 6 wins and 2 losses. As long-time Illini fans, we are used to having games which don't go our way and tend to really ruin a weekend. I have always believed that teams usually are not as good as they sometimes play and are not as bad as they sometimes play. How did Texas Tech defeat Oklahoma this past week? We have the opportunity to finish the season with 11 wins and 2 losses. As an Illini fan I think that sounds pretty good because I am a person who believes we can win each game - one game at a time.
.... and from the Bus
I appreciate the effort and skills which our coaches and players bring to each game. At this time we appear to have a very low level of confidence in what we are doing. We just need a break to go our way and things will begin to come together. It is the coaches, and players, responsibility to prepare for each game and it is our opportunity/responsibility to support those efforts each week. As one long-time Illini fan posted this week, " I have supported the Illini for over 40 years and I am not going to stop now". I join that person in maintaining my support of the Fighting Illini football program. We just need to continue to give great effort and let the chips fall where they may. Go Illini and crush those Nittany Lions!
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So, Why Would Someone Join the
Illini QBC ... Because It's Fun!
When was the last time you were at lunch or dinner and had the football coach of a Division I program stop by and share his insight on passed and future games? Every Friday, before home games during the football season, the QBC has lunch at The Round Barn Banquet Center. Get there early to spend time with Club Members and share your particular thoughts and insights on the season.
 On Thursday nights before away games, join us in the Colonnades Club and participate in the Live Call-In Coaches Radio Show. The Coach joins us straight from practice and updates us on the status of all players prior to their departure for an away game. Brian Barnhart emcees the lunches and dinners and in addition to keeping things moving with his insightful questions, he also takes questions from those in attendance.
If you just don't get enough of the Illini with your season tickets, join in on a bus trip to one of the B1G Ten games. These trips include game tickets, transportation, meals, lodging and lots of time with loyal Illini fans.
 One of our most enjoyable activities is the annual Coaches/Players Meet & Greet. The opportunity to spend time, one on one, with the players and coaches truly makes you feel like you are part of the team. Our players come from all over the country and they are eager to meet Illini fans and talk about why they come here to play football. The coaches are relaxed and enjoy talking about their careers, their families and their plans for the season. This is a family friendly event and includes a meal an opportunities to take lots of pictures.
Add to this our Ladies Day, our Annual Golf Outing, our weekly tailgate prior to all home games and the end of the year Bowl trip and it all adds up to a fun family experience. Cost is $50 per year, per family. Corporate memberships are available. For additional information, check out our web site at www.illiniqbc.com. |
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There have been some alarming reports, in the media, following the last two games. Some misguided individuals have found it necessary to berate and swear at players and coaches after they left the field. Less we forget, players and coaches are held accountable for their actions and their performance. Read the paper, watch televised news or attend a QBC luncheon if you doubt that as true. Fans, if that is the appropriate word, are often left unchallenged in their emotions and overreactions. Donald Trump has been quoted as saying it is not whether you win or loose that counts ... it is whether you win. We get it! But in victory and in defeat, there is dignity and behavior that defines who we are.
The Illini Quarterback Club looks forward to the opportunity to spend time with players and invited guests each week during the football season. We will continue to ask questions that are deserving of answers. We respect our Football Program and the commitment of those who have taken us so far.
Go Illini!
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Illini Quarterback Club |
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