Facebook App
I must not have been doing something right. I hadn't been criticized by Illini Nation in so long, I had to check to make sure they hadn't been tossed off the reservation like Chief Illiniwek.Then I wrote a positive blog on football coach Ron Zook and--wouldn't you know it?--Illini Nation perceived it as a back-handed compliment.
Oh, they're still there, all right, cheering Ron Guenther, Ron Zook and Bruce Weber one day and treating them like dirt the next. Like Mike White, Neale Stoner, Harv Schmidt, John Mackovic, Lou Tepper and Bill Self. The hits keep on coming. You're either for us or against us.
I've read a lot of university Websites and I must admit Illini Nation is the most hypocritical, least objective and most uninformed group of all. They are shameless cheerleaders when the team is winning and uncompromising critics when it isn't.
Sometimes I think they criticize for the sake of being negative because they certainly don't stand still for anyone criticizing them. They think Ed Hightower is a hacker when every college coach in the country thinks he is one of the best basketball officials of all. They only thing they seem to agree on is Erin Andrews--and that's just the sexist in them.
I don't know Ron Guenther but I do know that he isn't Neale Stoner. He has taken a minor-league athletic plant and turned it into one of the best in the country. The renovated Memorial Stadium remains a classic piece of old-time architecture. He also must be credited with hiring Ron Zook instead of Gary Moeller and Bruce Weber instead of Harv Schmidt.
Sure, he isn't perfect. Ball State for homecoming? But I'm sure it isn't only his idea to fill the football schedule with some soft teams instead of USC or UCLA or Florida. And, hopefully, he will renovate the architectural masterpiece known as Assembly Hall rather than replace it.
Some football and basketball programs are eager to schedule top 25 opponents. Others prefer to inflate their won-lost record by playing second-tier opponents.
I remember when Harry Combes and Illinois' basketball team scheduled UCLA, North Carolina, Marquette, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Arizona, West Virginia, Arkansas and Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State).
I remember when Red Blaik brought his Army team and the Lonesome End to Champaign. Illinois' football team also scheduled UCLA, USC, Florida, Washington, California and Pittsburgh, not Western Illinois, Middle Tennessee, Eastern Illinois, San Jose State and Illinois State. In those days, they scheduled Arkansas, not Arkansas State.
A reader e-mailed me that Illini Nation isn't any different than other college fan bases, just louder. Maybe he's right. I just wish the whole anonymous bunch would demonstrate more civility and how they are smarter than they act. What would their mothers say if they knew their sons were hiding behind those synonyms?
Cell Phone Alerts
Again, you talk but you have nooooooo clue!! Illinois always starts the year off with a tough missou game!!! Thats not a cup cake!! What team out there doesn't put a couple of easier teams in the schedule? If you don't then you get accused of not wanting to play the smaller schools! Usc may not have that many small schools because lets face it the pac 10 sucks!!! Its always usc then the other teams!! In the big ten you have a tough schedule every year, same in the sec and big 12!! Its amazing how a sports writer can know sooo little about sports. Did you and lemming go to the same school of hating illinois?
Wow. This is seriously online print for the Sun Times? Ouch.
As I have told you before Mr. Bell, there are two Illinois camps: 1.) the ones who think you must be 100% behind Illinois and never say anything bad and 2.) more objective people like me, the so called silent majority. Most of us are not grads, just fans. Regards, Jim
I am an Illinois alumnus and a proud supporter through good and bad. I think you do an excellent job of reporting on the university. I realize that not everything done at any university will ever be perfect. It is good reporting and not Illinois hating to point out those items that need improvement at Illinois. I do find it unfortunate and embarrassing that such a loud obnoxious group of so called Illinois fans give a bad name to the rest of us. Keep up the good work.
Well Mr. Bell, it would appear you are on an island with the
"They think Ed Hightower is a hacker when every college coach in the country thinks he is one of the best basketball officials of all. "
cooent. I realize you are mentioning coaches but it would seem self evident that when:
http://badgercentric.blogspot.com/2009/02/fire-ed-hightower.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/tower123/petition.html
http://www.spartansweblog.com/2009/02/07/indiana-game-recap-2709/
http://deadspin.com/5148836/the-internet-is-fed-up-with-ed-hightowers-shenanigans
are all ridiculing Mr. Hightower. If you want, I suppose you can write this off as "internet nonsense", although, the fact you have a blog your self would make such a comment less than genuine.
No doubt there are a lot of issues pounded on by Illini nation. But unfortunately your characterization of only the Illini hating Hightower's actions is misplaced.
I hope you regret your error.
Mr Bell, I did not go the U of I but it is the state school where I have lived my whole life so I am a big fan of the Illini in all sports and I also cheer for all the schools in the Chicago area. I have enjoyed your articles in the paper for many years. The last couple of years I have notice more of a negitive feeling from you about Illinois. I would think that it would help the newpapers in this state if and when the Illini are winning so I do not understand why you do not write more positive articles to encourage kids to go to their state school. I think that Illinois football schedule is tough with schools like Missouri, Frenso State and Cinncinati on the road compared to most other Big Ten schools. I also do think that Tom Lemming is Pro Norte Dame just like all the Chicago newpapers(my dad is a Norte Dame fan). I do not understand why a high school kid would not want to play for his or her state school that would also provide a great education.
Illinois has been followed by two men, you and Loren Tate, for several decades. One has been fair in his coverage, one has not. One is an icon, one simply a con. One displays real knowledge of the program, and the other , lacking knowledge, writes these kind of articles. I suggest the readers reread your columns for the past two years while asking themselves if even a hint of real basketball understanding leaks out. Thoreau said he didn't care for newspaper reading as it was basically gossip. You would have provided an exclamation point for him. He also quipped that he could predict the headlines six months in advance. In your case, he would have upped that to twelve months. I retired because I couldn't do my job any longer. Any chance you and I could have lunch so I can inspire you to follow in my footsteps? thanks
Ron Guenther is a great AD? The football team has a record of 78-117-2 during his tenure! 5 bowl games in 17 season! Even Northwestern has gone to more bowl games in that time! And he is the same clown who called Warren Carter an "idiot" while sittig on press row during an NCAA tournament game!