CHAMPAIGN, ILL - Former University of Illinois All-America offensive lineman Martin O'Donnell has joined the Fighting Illini Sports Network crew for game-day coverage of Illinois football. O'Donnell, who lettered at Illinois from 2004-07, and earned All-America honors at left guard in 2007 after helping lead the Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl, replaces former Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner in the booth beginning with the 2015 season.

"Illinois football has been a central part of my life since I stepped on campus in August 2003," O'Donnell said. "I am thrilled to be a part of the Fighting Illini radio team and follow in the footsteps of Illini greats Kurt Kittner and Jim Grabowski. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity."

Kittner joined the radio crew in 2007, teaming with long-time "Voice-of-the-Illini" Brian Barnhart in calling Fighting Illini football for the 40-plus station Illini Sports Network. O'Donnell has filled in during games when Kittner had a conflict, and will debut as the full-time analyst April 18 during the Fighting Illini Spring Game.

"We are very excited for Martin and our crew with his addition to the network team," said Chris Andrews, General Manager of Fighting Illini Sports Properties. "We had several former Illini greats contact us with interest for this position, but we feel Martin was an outstanding choice to join Brian in the booth. He has a terrific ability to analyze the game in a way that all fans can follow and understand. Kurt Kittner did a great job over the last eight seasons, but I think everyone totally understands the commitment he wants to make to his young family. We wish Kurt nothing but the best, and I know we'll see him and his family around Memorial Stadium on Saturdays in the fall."

Longtime broadcaster Steve Kelly will return to the booth with Barnhart and O'Donnell, providing pregame, halftime and postgame host duties.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois is excited to introduce plans that would transform what is currently Lot 36 on the west side of Memorial Stadium into a park setting that will be prime tailgating locations during Fighting Illini football game days.

"The Lot 36 area, inclusive of the Red Grange statue on the west side of Memorial Stadium, has seen a variety of uses throughout the 90-plus years the venue has been in existence," said Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "Fans who remember coming in for Tailgreat will be excited that this type of atmosphere will be returning along with some new wrinkles that we are finalizing in preparation for the 2015 home season.

"This park setting will be open for use throughout the year for a variety of activities and outdoor events. On Fighting Illini game days, this area will be the place to be, as we'll showcase first-come, first-served tailgating opportunities to any group who would like to be right next to the stadium. Fans will be able to bring in their own food and drinks into this area and the result will be a great party. Our priority is creating energy around the stadium that will then move inside as the Orange and Blue need us all, loud and proud, prepared to be an intimidating force inside Memorial Stadium."

Fans will be able to reserve space in Lot 36 beginning March 30, and will be available in the days leading up to each game on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The first event in the new area will be Friday, Sept. 4, when the Fighting Illini open the 2015 football season against Kent State with an 8 pm start time.

Customized tailgate parties, which include tents and tickets, can be coordinated by calling Scott Friedman at 217-244-3212. Prices will range from $300 - $2,000.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Thirteen former Fighting Illini football players took part in Illinois' annual NFL Pro Day Thursday morning, March 5, at the Illinois Football Performance Center and Irwin Indoor Practice Center. Twenty-one scouts from 21 NFL teams were on hand to watch recent alums Martize Barr, Abe Cajuste, Jon Davis, Justin DuVernois, Michael Heitz, Alex Hill, Matt LaCosse, Corey Lewis, Zane Petty, Austin Teitsma, Earnest Thomas III, DeJazz Woods andDonovonn Young participate in several drills and workouts.

LaCosse and Petty both had impressive days. LaCosse ran a 4.64 40-yard dash time, which would have ranked second among tight ends at the combine, while his 20 bench press reps of 225 pounds would have placed fifth for his position. In addition, his 9' 8" broad jump would have ranked sixth among tight ends at the combine.

Petty, meanwhile, turned in the top performances of the day on vertical jump (34.5") and broad jump (10' 2"), which would have ranked 10th and seventh among safeties at the combine, respectively.

In addition, Heitz's 9' 5" broad jump would have tied for first among offensive linemen at the combine, while Cajuste's 33 bench reps would have ranked fifth among defensive linemen at the combine and Teitsma's 28 reps 11th. Young's 26 bench reps would have tied for second-most among running backs at the combine.

After the speed drills, the Fighting Illini took part in position-specific drills on the turf at the Irwin Practice Facility. Many were also interviewed by some of the scouts on hand.

The 2015 NFL Draft will take place April 30-May 2 at Roosevelt University in Chicago. A total of 19 Illini have been drafted in the last six years and 19 former Illini played in the NFL last season, the sixth-most in the Big Ten.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. - The University of Illinois announced today that the 2015 Fighting Illini football season opener versus Kent State will begin under the lights on Friday, Sept. 4.

"We are always exploring new ideas on improving our in-game atmosphere and trying to make the games as enjoyable as possible," Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "We are introducing an exciting new tailgating area on the west side of Memorial Stadium this season, and an early season night game is a terrific way to allow our fans to experience that area. We think this is a great way to kickoff the Labor Day weekend."

The game will be carried by the BTN with kickoff time to be announced. This will be the first non-Saturday home game at Memorial Stadium since Nov. 22, 2001, when the Fighting Illini defeated Northwestern on Thanksgiving Day to clinch the 2001 Big Ten championship.

March 3, 2015



Illinois athletics completed a large-scale, 18-month brand evaluation program with Nike in 2014, resulting in an updated brand and identity system starting in 2014-15, including logos, marks, uniforms, equipment, lettering, numerals and consistent colors for all 19 Illini sports and the DIA as a whole. The rebranding was unveiled on April 16, 2014, at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Thanks to the Nike rebranding process, the Fighting Illini had all new uniforms for 2014.

» In all, Illinois wore eight different combinations in 13 games this season.

»  The most common? The Illini wore white/orange/white five times and had a 4-1 record in the combo.

» Illinois wore white helmets for the first time in school history in the season-opener against Youngstown State, going with a white-orange-white combination of helmet, jersey and pants. The Illini ended up wearing white helmets eight times during the 2014 season.

» The Illini wore all white uniforms (helmet, jersey, pants) for the first time in school history on Sept. 13 at Washington.

» The new matte orange helmets were debuted at Nebraska on Sept. 27, while the new blue lids were first worn at Wisconsin on Oct. 11.

» On Oct. 25, the "Gray Ghost" alternate uniforms honoring Red Grange, the "Galloping Ghost," were worn for the first time ever.

» Navy blue jerseys and pants will be added to the rotation for the 2015 season.