Saturdays during football season are sacred at the University of Illinois … especially if you’re not a football fan. Alarms are set for seven a.m., orange juice is spiked with Burnett’s vodka and the bars become a sea of orange and blue before the sun fully rises. Having earned the reputation “work hard, play hard,” I like to think that students on Saturday mornings play harder than the football players.
For those who haven’t grown up in the cornfields surrounding Champaign, Saturdays during football season are for block, a Greek tradition where each sorority pairs with a fraternity. Each pair then meets at a bar, even though everyone typically ends up at the infamous Red Lion. Drink deals are settled by the frats and apparel orders are taken care of by the girls. After a nice keg and egg, everyone drinks until the final touchdown has been thrown.
“Saturday morning block is honestly one of the best things about college, I look forward to it all year,” said Kelsey Kiwaiko, junior here at the U of I. Kelsey is a loyal block fan and makes sure she does block right every Saturday during football season. One of the most important things, Kiwaiko says, is dressing for the occasion.
“Our school isn’t that spirited most of the time, so I really try and get the most fun outfit for each block.” Kiwaiko continued.
Campus Colors is a good place to go, as well as T.I.S. or The Union Bookstore. Outfits can consist of high knee socks, orange trucker hats and fanny packs. Stores sell a selection of Illinois gear in all sizes and graphics imaginable. From a shirt that says “Go Illini” to “Win or Loose, We Still Booze,” there is an Illini-themed shirt to fit any fan’s needs.
The apparel isn’t the only great part about block. Bars specialize in making an assortment of drinks for those early morning fans.
“I could never drink hard alcohol in the morning,” Sarah Ungerman, junior, stated in disgust. “But, make me a tequila sunrise and I’m good to go!”
Tequila sunrises or lunchboxes are the typical drink of the morning. Both consisting of orange juice, they are the perfect drink to sip on in the early hours. Orange juice, tequila and grenadine syrup make up the vibrant ombre of orange to red for the tequila sunrise. And if tequila isn’t your forte, the lunchbox consists of orange juice, beer and almond liquor.
Once the outfits are picked and drinks made, the DJ plays away and all the fans “cheer” on the team; “Levels” by Avicii becomes the Fighting Illini’s new fight song.
“I love Saturdays. You go to the bars and then go out to eat on Green Street with all your friends. It’s my favorite time of the week,” says Josh Kohlenbrener, junior.
By the time lunch rolls around, the local campus restaurants on Green Street are filled with intoxicated students and naps are taken shortly after which cap off a successful day of Saturday morning block.
This is how Illinois celebrates our football team. Cheers Fighting Illini!