Illini Rowing

Illini Rowing!
Home Pond: 

    Homer Lake - The Illini Crew rows on  the beautiful Homer Lake, located 12 miles to the South-East of campus. The two kilometer long lake is well sheltered from winds allowing the rowers to train in high winds that would ground other crews. The lake, which is part of the Homer Lake Forest Preserve, is open to the public for recreational use. However, the use of internal combustion engines is prohibited on the lake, meaning crews will enjoy wake-free rowing while practicing. 

  Admission: 
      Free -- upon journey to Homer Lake!

History*: 
      The earliest proof of an Illini Rowing team is from one unofficial advertisement from 1981 that was attempting to recruit athletes for the men’s crew team.  The ad reads:

 Crew

 The Sport of Preps

“No one can row crew and study and party: guess what has to go.” With this in mind, we

founded Crew Illini. In only one short year we are #4 in the Big 10 and we are still looking for

our first shell. How did we do it? “Drinking” was the key to our success.

This semester we are looking for a few good rowers, preferably from Holy Spirit in New Jersey

to carry on the Crew Illini tradition. We are also looking for lots of prep women to cheer us on to

victory and to attain that goal of #1 in the Big 10.

      So, by this piece of history, it can be gathered that the University of Illinois officially had a Men’s crew team in 1980. In just one year they were able to capture the 4^th seed in the B10. However, in 1980 as well as today, crew is not recognized as a B10 or NCAA Division I sport.

      Rowing is the oldest organized sport in the world and can be dated back to the ancient Egyptians in 1430 B.C. Initially, rowing was a transportation method used by the working class to transport goods and people from one place to another. However, humans are competitive by nature and the process originally used for transportation eventually became a sport. Rowing competitions date back to the fifteen hundreds. The first official race was documented in London in 1716. In 1843, the sport came to the United States and was adapted by Yale as the first collegiate sport in the county. The sport grew very rapidly and by 1875 thirteen eastern schools had teams. In 1877 Wellesly College became the first college to have a women’s crew team in the United States. The sport continued to grow in popularity among women and the National Women’s Rowing Association was established in 1962. As of 2008, women’s crew is the fastest growing NCAA team sport. 


Still Not Convinced to Attend a Meet?

      Check out the Illini Rowing website for yourself and explore their accomplishments. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming Illini Rowing Meets. This video shows the endurance the team has for winning in any kind of obstacle Mother Nature throws their way!

*Special thanks to Shannon Wilson for her research on Crew. http://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/11621/Research_Process.pdf?sequence=5

Coming Up...

Come back to Hipster: Sports Edition later today for the latest post on...

ILLINI ROWING!

Illinois Women's Gymnastics

Illinois Women's Gymnastics

 

2012 Fighting Illini Women's Gymnastics Team

Home Court: 

      Huff Hall Gymnasium

Admission: 

      Free with Student ID

History*: 

      The earliest recorded roster for the University of Illinois Women’s Gymnastics team is from 1974-1975.

      The 2010-2011 season was interim head coach Kim Landrus’s first season with the Fighting Illini. In her first season, Landrus led the Illini to its highest national ranking in school history as the Illini wrapped up the year ranked No. 11 following their second-ever appearance at the NCAA Championships. Illinois ended the 2011 season in the top 25 for the sixth year in a row while its previous top finish came in 2009 when the Illini made their first NCAA appearance and placed 12^th in the country. The Fighting Illini have started the 2012 season off on the same high note they ended the 2011 season. The Illinois Woman’s Gymnastics team was ranked 15^th in the nation in preseason. The Lady Illini went up to 14^th, back to 19^th, to their current standing as the 18^th best team in the nation. 

VICTORY PLANK ON THE LINE*

#18 Illini Finished Tied with Michigan State at 195.175

       

       Beginning in 2010, the Illini and Spartans added a little extra incentive to their Big Ten dual meet by putting the “Victory Plank” rivalry trophy up for grabs for the first time. This traveling trophy, which was created by boosters from Michigan State, consists of a piece of a classic-looking balance beam on platform, reminiscent of the 1970s when the beams were made of wood. Illinois and Michigan State have consistently met throughout the years since 1976, with the Illini holding a recent advantage in the series after winning six of the past seven dual meets since 2004. The Illini captured the inaugural trophy after defeating MSU 195.600-195.500 in 2010 and retained it with a 195.225-195.000 come-from-behind victory a year ago in East Lansing. This year, the Illini retained their share of the Victory Plank Trophy for a third-straight season by finishing in a tie with Michigan State with a score of 195.175.

 

Still Not Convinced to Attend a Meet?

      Attending a Illinois Women’s Gymnastics meet is a great opportunity to get the gang together. Watch as the Fighting Illini flip through the air while vaulting, fly between the uneven bars, soar across the floor, and glide over the balance beam. Experiencing an Women’s Gymnastics meet is an unforgettable event that every student needs to check off of their “To Do” list before graduation.  

  

*Thank you to FightingIllini.com for its weekly meet notes.

 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/w-gym/auto_pdf/2011-12/release/release.pdf

Still Not Convinced?

Sneak Peak...

#18 Illini to Host Pink Meet vs. MSU

Friday, February 17th, 2012 7pm @ Huff Hall Gym

Elise Gill and the Illini will host their annual Pink Meet on Friday before traveling to Tempe for a contest against ASU.

ILLINI HOSTING PINK MEET FRIDAY

For the fifth-straight year, Illinois will sponsor several different activities to help raise awareness about cancer dur­ing the meet. There will be informational booths from Colleges Against Cancer and the Young Survivor’s Coalition located in the south end of Huff Hall. Both squads will be sporting pink leotards during the meet, and fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. A pink-colored 1970 Dodge Challenger will be parked out front of Huff Hall for fans to take pictures alongside, and there will also be raffles throughout the evening to give away pink prizes.

Illinois Gymnastics Preview 2012

 

February 21st, 2012

Hipster: Sports Edition will feature...

ILLINOIS GYMNASTICS!

 

 

National Tournament to Be Hosted @ U of I!

National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basektball Tournament

is coming to the University of Illinois!

Date: March 7, 2012 - March 10, 2012

Time: All Day

Location: Huff Hall, 1206 South Fourth St., Champaign, IL

 

Here is a video I found on Youtube of 37 seconds of action! If this short clip catches your interest, it is well worth your time to come see these athletes live! 

Men's and Women's Wheelchair Basketball

Men's and Women's Wheelchair Basketball  

Home Court: 

        Activities and Recreation Center (ARC)
Admission: 
        Free with Student ID 

History*: 
        After doing research on the origins of wheelchair basketball,  I discovered wheelchair basketball was actually an uplifting event that came from unfortunate beginnings. The beginnings of wheelchair basketball will take us back to World War II. During this time, many physically and mentally injured and scarred Americans were returning home. These soldiers were among the largest group in American history to survive a bloody war because of the advances in medical and surgical fields. With so many veterans being placed in hospitals all over the country, they were looking for any outlet that would allow them normalcy in their new way of life. Sports was the answer. Doctors encouraged wounded veterans to participate in Wheelchair athletics to relieve stress, vent their anger and to stay physically fit. This is when wheelchair basketball exploded. 
        It can be argued that the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is credited for being the founding institution for a disabled person to earn a degree and participate in athletics. After WWII, many wounded veterans were encouraged to enroll in the University's undergraduate division in Galesburg, Illinois. The University acquired 156 acres with 117 brick buildings, many one-story, that were accessed and connected by ramps and corridors which made the campus very disabled-friendly.
        Records show that the University of Illinois was the the first to offer wheelchair basketball as a collegiate sport. During the beginning of the program, Timothy Nugent let the Gizz Kids, as they were called, to win the first ever National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Championship in 1949. From then on, Wheelchair athletics were on the map all over the country. 

 Still not convinced to attend a game?
        Wheelchair basketball is a unique experience that I recommend everyone to attend during their time at University of Illinois. The tremendous athletes that participate in wheelchair basketball are continuing a legendary game that began at the University of Illinois. Think of all of the energy and skill needed to control the body, block a shot, play defense, shoot a free throw, post up, shoot a 3-pointer or pull up for a 2-point shot from the wing in Division 1 Basketball.  Now imagine doing all of this while in a wheelchair. The strength needed in your upper body is such an important element to this marvelous game of wheelchair basketball. This sport is a must see before you graduate!

Comments:
        If you have ever participated or viewed a wheelchair basketball game, what was your experience like? If you had a tragedy in your life, would look to sports as an outlet for healing? 


Leisure Rules! 

Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team @ Illinois Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team @ International Invitational Tournament

For a list of upcoming Wheelchair events or additional information,  please visit the DRES website: 
http://disability.illinois.edu/athletics


* Thank you to Ashley Mogged for her insight to the history of wheelchair athletics. 
http://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/1867