Being an Illini Fan at a Rival University

Ignatius Shang said:

This is a very personal thread; please feel free to merge it into any existing thread. I am posting it as an individual thread as I could not find an existing one that seems suitable.

I have just defended my PhD dissertation and am approaching the conclusion of my 5-year academic journey as an international student at the University of Illinois. Reflecting on this journey, I am very thankful to the Fighting Illini basketball team and this IllinoisLoyalty forum, which has been very meaningful for me find a sense of belonging as an international student.

Let me quote a paragraph from my dissertation acknowledgements: "Here is what I wrote in spring 2021 to Ayo Dosunmu, a then-Illinois basketball player who has now completed his third year in the NBA: 'When coming to Champaign in 2019, I knew nobody and had no friends. The PhD life is kind of monotonous and isolated … There were many times when I was overwhelmed with my research work, and what I looked forward to the most were the coming matches ... that’s when I finally felt I was REALLY a part of Illinois.' I truly meant it. Being isolated from family and friends during the global pandemic and overwhelmed by political depression, what made me feel the vibrancy of life was joining other Illini basketball fans in cheering for our team and booing the opponents and referees during the home games at State Farm Center, away games at local bars, and the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With so many unforgettable moments of both sweetness and bitterness, being a sports fan gave me an irreplaceable sense of belonging to the community."

In addition to expressing my gratitude, I would also like to hear your suggestions on "being an Illini fan at a rival university." My entire life in the US has been spent in Champaign, so my only experience with sports fandom is being surrounded by fellow Illini fans. My next role will be as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri (well...), and I am curious if you have any advice for living in a campus town where most people do not support the Illini. Is there anything to be cautious of? For example, do you think it is advisable for me to reveal to my students who I support during the Braggin' Rights game? But no matter what, I will always be loyal to the Illini for the rest of my life.

I'll end this thread by once again quoting the last paragraph of my dissertation acknowledgements: "Five years ago, when I first arrived in Champaign-Urbana, I could hardly imagine what life would be like in this foreign land. Now, reflecting on this journey 'By the rivers gently flowing, by the prairies verdant growing,' nothing can better express my feelings than this Chinese poem written over a thousand years ago:
'As a sojourner in Bingzhou, it has already been ten years,
Day and night, my heart longs for my hometown, Xianyang.
For no reason, I further cross the Sang’gan River,
Looking back at Bingzhou, realizing it is now my home.'
I bleed orange and blue."

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Ignatius Shang said:

My next role will be as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri (well...), and I am curious if you have any advice for living in a campus town where most people do not support the Illini. Is there anything to be cautious of? For example, do you think it is advisable for me to reveal to my students who I support during the Braggin' Rights game?

Click to expand...

Ignatius Shang said:

In addition to expressing my gratitude, I would also like to hear your suggestions on "being an Illini fan at a rival university." My entire life in the US has been spent in Champaign, so my only experience with sports fandom is being surrounded by fellow Illini fans. My next role will be as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri (well...), and I am curious if you have any advice for living in a campus town where most people do not support the Illini. Is there anything to be cautious of? For example, do you think it is advisable for me to reveal to my students who I support during the Braggin' Rights game? But no matter what, I will always be loyal to the Illini for the rest of my life.

Click to expand...

grue2 said:

Do MO students/staff care about the basketball team? They don't seem to buy out their half of the Braggin' Rights game. If not, this may be a non-issue.

Showing IL stuff in your office can be a conversation starter if you have trouble meeting other faculty. It might also break the ice for nervous students who come to the office. They see it, comment, you talk a few minutes, and now you are a person vs. the scary professor.

If the MO campus is passionate about BB, are you a person who can take/give !!!! (and enjoys it)? If so, you are probably fine. Again, it gets you to meet people.

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Ignatius Shang said:

This is a very personal thread; please feel free to merge it into any existing thread. I am posting it as an individual thread as I could not find an existing one that seems suitable.

I have just defended my PhD dissertation and am approaching the conclusion of my 5-year academic journey as an international student at the University of Illinois. Reflecting on this journey, I am very thankful to the Fighting Illini basketball team and this IllinoisLoyalty forum, which has been very meaningful for me find a sense of belonging as an international student.

Let me quote a paragraph from my dissertation acknowledgements: "Here is what I wrote in spring 2021 to Ayo Dosunmu, a then-Illinois basketball player who has now completed his third year in the NBA: 'When coming to Champaign in 2019, I knew nobody and had no friends. The PhD life is kind of monotonous and isolated … There were many times when I was overwhelmed with my research work, and what I looked forward to the most were the coming matches ... that’s when I finally felt I was REALLY a part of Illinois.' I truly meant it. Being isolated from family and friends during the global pandemic and overwhelmed by political depression, what made me feel the vibrancy of life was joining other Illini basketball fans in cheering for our team and booing the opponents and referees during the home games at State Farm Center, away games at local bars, and the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With so many unforgettable moments of both sweetness and bitterness, being a sports fan gave me an irreplaceable sense of belonging to the community."

In addition to expressing my gratitude, I would also like to hear your suggestions on "being an Illini fan at a rival university." My entire life in the US has been spent in Champaign, so my only experience with sports fandom is being surrounded by fellow Illini fans. My next role will be as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri (well...), and I am curious if you have any advice for living in a campus town where most people do not support the Illini. Is there anything to be cautious of? For example, do you think it is advisable for me to reveal to my students who I support during the Braggin' Rights game? But no matter what, I will always be loyal to the Illini for the rest of my life.

I'll end this thread by once again quoting the last paragraph of my dissertation acknowledgements: "Five years ago, when I first arrived in Champaign-Urbana, I could hardly imagine what life would be like in this foreign land. Now, reflecting on this journey 'By the rivers gently flowing, by the prairies verdant growing,' nothing can better express my feelings than this Chinese poem written over a thousand years ago:
'As a sojourner in Bingzhou, it has already been ten years,
Day and night, my heart longs for my hometown, Xianyang.
For no reason, I further cross the Sang’gan River,
Looking back at Bingzhou, realizing it is now my home.'
I bleed orange and blue."

Click to expand...

Ignatius Shang said:

This is a very personal thread; please feel free to merge it into any existing thread. I am posting it as an individual thread as I could not find an existing one that seems suitable.

I have just defended my PhD dissertation and am approaching the conclusion of my 5-year academic journey as an international student at the University of Illinois. Reflecting on this journey, I am very thankful to the Fighting Illini basketball team and this IllinoisLoyalty forum, which has been very meaningful for me find a sense of belonging as an international student.

Let me quote a paragraph from my dissertation acknowledgements: "Here is what I wrote in spring 2021 to Ayo Dosunmu, a then-Illinois basketball player who has now completed his third year in the NBA: 'When coming to Champaign in 2019, I knew nobody and had no friends. The PhD life is kind of monotonous and isolated … There were many times when I was overwhelmed with my research work, and what I looked forward to the most were the coming matches ... that’s when I finally felt I was REALLY a part of Illinois.' I truly meant it. Being isolated from family and friends during the global pandemic and overwhelmed by political depression, what made me feel the vibrancy of life was joining other Illini basketball fans in cheering for our team and booing the opponents and referees during the home games at State Farm Center, away games at local bars, and the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With so many unforgettable moments of both sweetness and bitterness, being a sports fan gave me an irreplaceable sense of belonging to the community."

In addition to expressing my gratitude, I would also like to hear your suggestions on "being an Illini fan at a rival university." My entire life in the US has been spent in Champaign, so my only experience with sports fandom is being surrounded by fellow Illini fans. My next role will be as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri (well...), and I am curious if you have any advice for living in a campus town where most people do not support the Illini. Is there anything to be cautious of? For example, do you think it is advisable for me to reveal to my students who I support during the Braggin' Rights game? But no matter what, I will always be loyal to the Illini for the rest of my life.

I'll end this thread by once again quoting the last paragraph of my dissertation acknowledgements: "Five years ago, when I first arrived in Champaign-Urbana, I could hardly imagine what life would be like in this foreign land. Now, reflecting on this journey 'By the rivers gently flowing, by the prairies verdant growing,' nothing can better express my feelings than this Chinese poem written over a thousand years ago:
'As a sojourner in Bingzhou, it has already been ten years,
Day and night, my heart longs for my hometown, Xianyang.
For no reason, I further cross the Sang’gan River,
Looking back at Bingzhou, realizing it is now my home.'
I bleed orange and blue."

Click to expand...

Illini_Rich said:

Loved the last poem and how it fits into your sentiment.

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skyIdub said:

Ig Shang....massive congrats fellow alumni!!
Now, your mission...should you choose to accept it....is to mercilessly troll Miznoz students, faculty, and fans by wearing orange and blue every WeWillWednesday and intentionally misspelling "Missou, and Missouri" at every opportunity. I recommend "Miznoz" for optimum troll effect.

If they mention football, just pretend that you don't know what that is. For now.

Good luck!!

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aveseaboy said:

I grew up in central Illinois and have been an Illini fan all my life. My dad is an Illini alumni and is now very successful in what he does. As much as I have continued to love our sports teams, I decided that the University wasn’t really for me. I couldn’t, however, see myself going to a similar caliber university that could potentially have sports programs to rival the Illini.

I settled on Florida Gulf Coast University as they offered the major that I intended to study and were a pretty off the radar university in the sporting world.

I have truly loved attending FGCU as I can continue to show undying support for my Illini while enjoying the luxuries of one of the most beautiful college campuses I have ever seen.

This does have its downsides. The main struggle I continue to have is the complete absence of others that share the same passion as I do for the Illini, especially our basketball program. My roommates are all from the state of Florida and are really only fans of the NFL and NHL. They simply do not understand how I can get so emotional for every single possession, offensive and defensive, to which I have to explain is a combination of my lifelong passion and alcohol.

During our dominant win over Iowa St in March I was genuinely going apeshit over our performance and a neighbor came to complain about my noise level. You can only imagine the sheer panic that overcame me when I had to try to explain to this girl why I was drinking and screaming at my TV alone on a weekday at 10pm (something that I am sure is a lot more normal at the U if I compared to my quiet little university).

So I think to answer your question it depends on the relevancy of the other school’s sporting program. Obviously you’re attending the university of a direct rival which could definitely present itself as a challenge. I would just recommend finding a way to support the Illini however you can. While watching the games alone is an option, it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth your sanity

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Serious Late said:

My wife and I went to U of I for Undergrad. She did her Sports Medicine Fellowship at Michigan, which required she be on the sidelines for every football game and in the first couple rows at basketball games.

She wore long orange socks under her outfits for every sporting event she worked.

You'll be fine, I would suggest keeping it light-hearted with the locals.

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grue2 said:

Do MO students/staff care about the basketball team? They don't seem to buy out their half of the Braggin' Rights game. If not, this may be a non-issue.

Showing IL stuff in your office can be a conversation starter if you have trouble meeting other faculty. It might also break the ice for nervous students who come to the office. They see it, comment, you talk a few minutes, and now you are a person vs. the scary professor.

If the MO campus is passionate about BB, are you a person who can take/give !!!! (and enjoys it)? If so, you are probably fine. Again, it gets you to meet people.

Click to expand...

Ignatius Shang said:

This is a very personal thread; please feel free to merge it into any existing thread. I am posting it as an individual thread as I could not find an existing one that seems suitable.

I have just defended my PhD dissertation and am approaching the conclusion of my 5-year academic journey as an international student at the University of Illinois. Reflecting on this journey, I am very thankful to the Fighting Illini basketball team and this IllinoisLoyalty forum, which has been very meaningful for me find a sense of belonging as an international student.

Let me quote a paragraph from my dissertation acknowledgements: "Here is what I wrote in spring 2021 to Ayo Dosunmu, a then-Illinois basketball player who has now completed his third year in the NBA: 'When coming to Champaign in 2019, I knew nobody and had no friends. The PhD life is kind of monotonous and isolated … There were many times when I was overwhelmed with my research work, and what I looked forward to the most were the coming matches ... that’s when I finally felt I was REALLY a part of Illinois.' I truly meant it. Being isolated from family and friends during the global pandemic and overwhelmed by political depression, what made me feel the vibrancy of life was joining other Illini basketball fans in cheering for our team and booing the opponents and referees during the home games at State Farm Center, away games at local bars, and the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With so many unforgettable moments of both sweetness and bitterness, being a sports fan gave me an irreplaceable sense of belonging to the community."

In addition to expressing my gratitude, I would also like to hear your suggestions on "being an Illini fan at a rival university." My entire life in the US has been spent in Champaign, so my only experience with sports fandom is being surrounded by fellow Illini fans. My next role will be as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri (well...), and I am curious if you have any advice for living in a campus town where most people do not support the Illini. Is there anything to be cautious of? For example, do you think it is advisable for me to reveal to my students who I support during the Braggin' Rights game? But no matter what, I will always be loyal to the Illini for the rest of my life.

I'll end this thread by once again quoting the last paragraph of my dissertation acknowledgements: "Five years ago, when I first arrived in Champaign-Urbana, I could hardly imagine what life would be like in this foreign land. Now, reflecting on this journey 'By the rivers gently flowing, by the prairies verdant growing,' nothing can better express my feelings than this Chinese poem written over a thousand years ago:
'As a sojourner in Bingzhou, it has already been ten years,
Day and night, my heart longs for my hometown, Xianyang.
For no reason, I further cross the Sang’gan River,
Looking back at Bingzhou, realizing it is now my home.'
I bleed orange and blue."

Click to expand...

altgeld88 said:

Lie low until you notch tenure. Then let your O&B freak flag fly, my man. Or, better yet, trade up for a faculty spot at UIUC!

Loved your passionate, heartfelt posts and noticed you went relatively quiet over the past b-ball campaign on the Board. Massive congrats on your PhD. It's quite an accomplishment to snag a Tier-I research university spot straight away. Testament to your hard work and the quality of the infosci program.

It's wonderful that Illini hoops helped you feel at home so far from Xianyang. Don't be a stranger.

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Illinirog70 said:

Life is too short not to enjoy sports for what it is-- a diversion from real life and a way to meet and bond with fellow fans, even if you don't see eye to eye on your first love.

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