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Will you be providing coverage/interviews of the other stars on the field - the Marching Illini? Their hard work, spirit and excellent half-time performances are so uplifting to the players and fans. We would love to see them spotlighted.
-Joan and Frank Mendrick
Answer: Our hope is to be able to provide viewers with a view into the entire program - and the band is certainly something we would like to give viewers a chance to see.
Are you going to be talking to fans and including them in your stories as well as players, coaches and support staff?
-Mike Randall
Answer: Yes, our plan is to show the Illini program from all angles - and we certainly hope to include some interviews with longtime fans as well as the local vibe in and around Champaign.
Could you do a piece on the new world class weight room and ask the coaches and players how this will affect them and recruiting?
-Christian Graves
Answer: Yes, once the team returns to Champaign we are looking forward to shooting footage of all the renovations at the stadium - including the new weight room.
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Back to Reality
8/27/08, Champaign, IL
Today we attended our first practice in Champaign and you could immediately sense how excited the players seemed for the game.
You could tell the energy level was high and that they were relishing the chance to hit players in different colored uniforms come Saturday. I had the opportunity to take a look around at the continued renovations at Memorial Stadium and each time that I see them I get more excited for that first home game to see what the finished product will look like.
The new field turf on the field looks immaculate and the press box and luxury box additions are just about done. That first home game will be quite a sight.
After practice our crew had the chance to sit in as one of the head officials in the Big Ten made a presentation to the entire team about rule changes. Coach Zook made sure everyone was paying attention so that the Illini can avoid any harmful penalties.
Once the presentation was done we had a chance to spend some time with starting quarterback Juice Williams, his girlfriend and their baby, LaChez. LaChez of course stole the show and her Elmo doll was a close second!
Tomorrow we head to class with some of the Illini - hard to believe gameday is nearly upon us.
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Home Sweet Home
8/20/08, Rantoul, IL
Today was the final day of Camp Rantoul and for Coach Zook it was a sad day as he really loves the set up at Camp Rantoul. From the moment we arrived at breakfast you could sense the energy among the players, who were looking forward to returning to the comforts of their own "home" in Champaign. Leaving breakfast – Donsay Hardeman gave us the motto for the day: ""What do you say, what do you say, we're leaving Camp Rantoul TODAY!""
We shot during the short practice but the best action of the day came in the mad scramble of the players to pack and leave.
Go ahead and see the photos.
Check out episode one on Tuesday, Sept. 2 to see all the fun and games.
Game week starts next week. We will have our cameras back in Champaign on Wednesday to capture the build up to the season opener.
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End is near
8/19/08, Rantoul, IL
We were back at practice today as the Fighting Illini embark on Week 3 of Camp Rantoul. The heat and humidity returned yet the Illini kept the energy level high during a practice/scrimmage.
The highlight of our day came after practice when Chicago natives Juice Williams and Chris James approached us and asked if they could shoot some footage. After giving them a crash tutorial Juice and CJ were off and running around the cold tubs and locker room. Juice and CJ refer to their production as "Fam Fam Cam" and be sure to tune in to Episode 1 to see if my cameraman and audio tech will be out of a job!
I'll have photos to show you later this week.
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Breaking in new ground
8/16/08, Rantoul, IL
Today we got our first look at the new turf at Memorial Stadium, which was very impressive. Walking on the turf is very comfortable and I'm sure the players appreciate the upgrade. Construction workers are still hard at work putting the finishing touches on the rest of the renovations and there is a lot of anticipation from both the players and staff to see the "new" Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6.
The Illini had their second scrimmage today and prior to the scrimmage they were all happy to get a break from Rantoul and return to Champaign. We saw some good singing and dancing in the locker room before the players took the field, and once they did, there was continued improvement on the field during a spirited scrimmage - especially the second half.
Two weeks remain to polish the rough edges before the Illini take the field against Missouri. Back to Rantoul next week...
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A Day with Brit
8/14/08, Rantoul, IL
Today we spent a day following senior linebacker Brit Miller to give people an idea of what a day of Camp Rantoul is like for a player. Brit is one of the most talented and respected players on the Illini defense - and also one of the most humorous and engaging athletes I have ever come across.
We began early in the a.m. watching Brit just after he got out of bed and then went to breakfast with him. Brit's main focus was practice and meetings but his main off the field focus was Mustache Day. Brit worked hard all day to recruit players to participate later in the evening.
After a mid-afternoon nap Brit took the field for practice and afterward did a live interview with a local television station before joining teammates Craig Wilson and Josh Brent to address some youth football players. After a rib dinner and more meetings it was finally time for Mustache Day to begin.
I won't give away too much of what we saw but I will say that it was great to see the team bond and have some fun. And keep an eye on Jack Cornell's creation.
Overall following Brit today really showed how much goes into a day as a football player at a big-time program. From meetings to practice to meetings to community service to fun with your teammates, it is a very full and tiring day.
Remember - if you have any questions about our show, send them our way.
Off to see the scrimmage at Memorial Stadium on Saturday...
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We Have Contact
8/12/08, Chicago, IL
I spoke with our producer who was on location shooting with the team this past weekend (August 8 & 9) for the first two practices in pads. He was very pleased with the footage we shot – including some intense hitting during Illinois's version of the Oklahoma Drill.
We also shot footage of a pinball tournament involving some players – should be fun to see who came out on top. This Thursday our cameras will be back in Rantoul to follow starting linebacker Brit Miller for a ""Day in the Life at Training Camp.""
We will also be in Champaign on Saturday to shoot the scrimmage in Memorial Stadium. Episode One is only 21 days away...
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Out of the gate
8/4/08 - Rantoul, Illinois
The first practice - the official launching point of the college football season for the Fighting Illini. In the sweltering heat of Rantoul, Illinois the 2008 Illini took to the field for a spirited workout. We were on the practice field for most of the afternoon - and were very impressed with the brisk pace of practice.
Be sure to check out my pictures from camp.
The heat and humidity were as hot as I've experienced since spending a week in Tulsa, OK in June of 2001. Despite the conditions Coach Zook and his energetic staff led the first practice of what promises to be a long 3 weeks for the players. None of the players wilted in the hot weather but they were thrilled to jump in the cold tub after practice.
Our day began early as we followed one of the student managers whose job it is to sound the air horn to awaken the players at 6:30 a.m.. We also got to witness Coach Zook's morning workout - very impressive considering the early wake-up call.
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Here comes camp
8/3/08 - Rantoul, Illinois
Camp Rantoul is almost underway. We arrived last night and spent today shooting a lot of the calm before the storm scenics as well as interviews with Coach Zook, Juice Williams, Brit Miller, Rejus Benn, Will Davis and Ryan McDonald.
My first impression of Camp Rantoul is that it is all about football. The rooms are located next to the fields and I'm struck by the business-like approach of the Illini. It is clear that they are here for a purpose.
The other thing that struck me was how many people are involved with the Illini program. From the 100+ players and coaches, to the support staff there are a lot of people here and plenty of stories to tell.
We are about to head out to shoot the team dinner and meeting - and then we will call it a night - as we have a long day ahead tomorrow.
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Full-court Press
7/29/08 – Chicago, IL
This morning, I was interviewed by John Supinie, a writer from GateHouse – a news service that covers the Decatur and Springfield region in Illinois. He was writing a story about "Illinois Football: The Journey" and wanted to ask me a few questions about how the show is produced – such as how many tapes we shot during the Minnesota show (approximately 250 tapes – each tape is 33 minutes long) and how many hours of editing goes into each episode (approximately 60 edit hours per 30 minute show).
No word yet on when the story will run – but hopefully it will help make people in that Illini-friendly region aware that we are doing this show.
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Blast from the Past
7/28/08 – Mankato, MN
I traveled to Minnesota Vikings Training Camp today to interview former Illinois great J Leman, who is trying to earn a spot as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings. For the first episode of the show I wanted to get a perspective from an Illini player that isn't on the team this year, someone who could put into perspective how special a season last year was yet could also talk about the challenges and opportunities that this year's squad will face.
The loquacious Leman was a fine choice. I have encountered few athletes during my time as a producer who are as entertaining to listen to as Leman is – and his interview will help make the first show a memorable one. We will begin shooting with the Illini as they arrive at Camp Rantoul on August 3.
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Media Day
7/24/08 – Chicago, IL
Today was Big Ten Media Day in Chicago – and the Illini sent Coach Zook, seniors Ryan McDonald and Brit Miller and junior Juice Williams to the event. I got a chance to speak with McDonald, Miller and Juice – all three of whom figure to be major contributors both on the field and to The Journey.
Miller is particularly interesting as he has a very outgoing personality and a sense of humor. I'm sure that he will be one of the players that we follow closely this season.
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First Step of The Journey…
7/21/08 – Champaign, IL
It is hard to believe that it has already been four months since we concluded shooting "Minnesota Basketball: The Journey" – and that we are ready to take the first steps in our second edition of The Journey franchise – 2008 Illinois Football.
Today, a contingent from our production team traveled to Champaign to meet Coach Zook and some other members of his staff. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Cassie Arner, the school's Football Sports Information Director at Illinois, and she gave us a tour of the impressive football facilities in Champaign as well as quick peek at the ongoing renovations at Memorial Stadium.
While Memorial Stadium is not yet done we could already see the signs of how the renovations will really add to the gameday experience. Other highlights of our visit included a trip to the equipment room where we got a chance to see the throwback jerseys the Illini will wear at their first home game on September 6th as well as a chance to converse briefly with Coach Zook on the veranda that is attached to his office and overlooks Memorial Field – quite a view!
Later, we had dinner with Coach Zook, Cassie, Adrian Melendez (Director of Football Operations) and Derek Neal (Assistant Sports Information Director) where we discussed the upcoming season and our vision for the show. Everyone walked away pleased with the exchange of ideas – and began looking forward to the beginning of our filming at Camp Rantoul.
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Sept. 2: Camp Rantoul
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Coming after Week 1
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Photos from Illinois training camp early days.
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Photos from the end of training camp. |
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