WELCOMEBACK EDITION
AUGUST 2024
THE DAILY ILLINI
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The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. The newspaper is published by the Illini Media Company. The Daily Illini does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students.
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Editor’s note
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JACOB SLABOSZ editor@dailyillini.com
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief: Jacob Slabosz editor@dailyillini.com
Managing Editor: Lillie Salas reporting@dailyillini.com
Visual Director: Matt Stepp visuals@dailyillini.com
Special Sections Editor: Ella Narag specialsections@dailyillini.com
News Editor: Mary Piacente news@dailyillini.com
A&E Editor: Maaike Niekerk buzz@dailyillini.com features@dailyillini.com
Sports Editor: Ben Fader sports@dailyillini.com
Copy Chief: Athena Ly copy@dailyillini.com
Photo Editor: James Hoeck photo@dailyillini.com
Graphics Editor: Anna Fedczuk graphics@dailyillini.com
Design Editor: Lux Lin design@dailyillini.com
Audience Director: Jack Larson social@dailyillini.com
Ugh. I hope you got ample time in at the beach, lake, pond, pool, ocean, puddle or otherwise, because summer has officially come to an end.
Thus begins yet another school year. For some, this is your first year in college — in which case check out our New Student Edition for top tips. For others, you may be at the tail end of your time here at the University.
Nonetheless, the beginning of a new academic year marks the start of a new chapter chock full of excitement, stress, opportunity, nerves and likely more.
Here at The Daily Illini, we understand this just as much as you do. To better guide you on your journey through the start of the 2024-25 school year, we
have produced the Welcome Back Edition to provide some guidance.
On page 10, we take a look at the admissions uncertainties that created a housing deficit for incoming students.
If you’ve decided that this is the semester in which you’ll rush a sorority, page 12 has our guide for the formal recruitment process.
Beginning on page 15 and continuing through the center spread, you can find our coverage of Lollapalooza 2024, including a gallery of some of our favorite photos.
On page 28, you’ll find stories about the upcoming seasons for Illinois’ top sports, including some of the most interesting venues the Illini will visit this year.
And for those of you who only pick up this piece of print media for the puzzles, check out page 22.
Best of luck to you on your endeavors.
Don’t be in too much of a hurry.
ON THE
Emma Ortega, now a senior in LAS, studies in front of Foellinger Auditorium on the Main Quad on Oct. 9, 2023. During sunny days, onlookers can find many students reading, hanging out with friends, picnicking or playing spikeball on the lush grass.
ANNE SCHMIDT THE DAILY ILLINI
2024 Summer news recap
THE DAILY ILLINI NEWS STAFF news@dailyillini.com
Aseries of historic events has characterized the summer of 2024. Over just a few months, the country witnessed the release of an in uential Supreme Court ruling, an assassination attempt on presidential candidate Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race.
In addition to national news, developments in the Champaign-Urbana community are also worth addressing.
Here are some of the most signi cant moments, both nationally and locally, of this newsworthy summer.
SCOTUS DECISION ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY
On July 1, a historic decision was reached by the Supreme Court in the case of Trump v. United States.
The court ruled 6-3 that former presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution in cases involving “o cial acts”, whereas “unof-
cial acts” provide no immunity.
In August 2023, Donald Trump was indicted on four counts of conduct by a federal grand jury for allegedly spreading knowingly false information regarding the 2020 presidential election, “to obstruct the collecting, counting, and certifying of the election results.”
Trump’s defense argued that the actions taken by President Trump should not be subject to criminal judgment, asserting that they were o cial presidential actions and should, therefore, be protected after he left o ce.
The Supreme Court ultimately left it up to lower courts to determine ‘o cial’ versus ‘uno cial’ acts and decipher what the July 1 decision means for Trump’s case.
DONALD TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
On July 13, there was an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
As he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pa., a gunman red two shots
from a nearby rooftop, striking Trump on his right ear.
The Secret Service subsequently forced the former President o the stage and shielded him.
He was then escorted from the rally, visibly bloodied.
One rally attendee, later identi ed as Corey Comperatore, was fatally struck by one of the shots.
Two other attendees, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, left the rally seriously injured.
The New York Times reported that a spokesman for Trump said the former president was “ ne” and “checked out at a local medical facility.” The spokesman also said the former president “thanks law enforcement and rst responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
The FBI later identied Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man of Bethel Park, Pa., as the attempted assassin.
Crooks was a registered Republican on voter records but donated to a liberal PAC in 2021.
The July 13 shooting prompted a ood of questions regarding both the crime itself and the lack of protective measures that allowed it to happen.
The Associated Press reports that the FBI is investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism as well as an attempted assassination.
BIDEN DROPS OUT AND ENDORSES
KAMALA HARRIS
On July 21, President Joe Biden released a statement on Instagram and Twitter announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race.
“And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on ful lling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” the note read.
The announcement came after Biden and his team reported that he had contracted COVID-19 earlier in the week, preventing him from making public appearances.
The president also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate. “Today, I want to o er my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden wrote.
Vice President Harris is expected to be announced as the o cial Democratic nominee at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which begins on Aug 19.
CPD LAUNCHES DRONE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
On July 11, the Champaign Police Department announced the launch of a new drone surveillance program with the goal of enhanc-
ing safety within the community by o ering a birds-eye view of large community events and other situations.
The “Unmanned Aerial System” will be used in compliance with the Illinois Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act, which restricts drone surveillance by law enforcement to speci c purposes.
These purposes include, but are not limited to, locating victims from a 911 call, responding to a public health emergency, executing a judge-signed search warrant, or monitoring special events with a 24hour notice.
For more details about the unmanned aerial system program, visit the city’s website.
CAMPUS
CON STRUCTION PROJECTS CONTINUE INTO THE SUMMER
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus is quick-
ly remodeling and expanding with new academic and apartment buildings in summer 2024. Steven S. Wymer Hall, the Undergraduate Library and 608 E. Chalmers are just three projects being worked on over the summer.
Steven S. Wymer Hall will be a new academic building for the Gies College of Business.
The building will use geothermal technology to be more environmentally sustainable. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.
The Undergraduate Library closed in May 2022 to be redeveloped into an archive and special collections.
The timeline for construction has not yet been released, and the project reportedly remains in the bid/award phase.
Construction continues at 608 E. Chalmers St., where Smile Student Living is building a new campus apartment
complex.
“We are excited to be o ering this new development as the only new building close to the Gies School of Business and the Law School to include brand new studio and one-bedroom apartments … in addition to on-site study lounges and a rooftop clubhouse that overlooks the Main Quad,” said Marisa Paige, senior multi-site property manager for Smile Student Living.
Other current projects include the renovation of Altgeld Hall’s exterior and the reconstruction of Illini Hall, which was demolished last year.
UNIVERSITY’S IFAB AWARDED OVER $50 MILLION FOR BIOMANUFACTURING
The University’s Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing program has received a substantial boost with a $51 million
grant from the federal government. This funding is part of a $504 million allocation from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The iFAB focuses on biomanufacturing, converting crops like corn and soybeans into a wide range of high-value commodities.
According to WCIA, state leaders are pleased with iFAB’s selection for this funding.
Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed enthusiasm at the decision.
“I’m so pleased iFAB is receiving this critical Tech Hub funding, unlocking innovation, investment and job creation for years to come,” Duckworth said.
“Illinois is already a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and technology, making our state ideally positioned for these Tech Hub awards.”
More information about iFAB is available on their website.
THE DAILY ILLINI PHOTO FILE
A sidewalk under construction on East John Street next to Coble Hall on March 25, 2023.
A deeper look into freshmen dropout rates
STAFF WRITER
NAVEED AHMED naveeda3@dailyillini.com
As the new school year starts, it is important to note that rst-year students are most susceptible to dropping out of college. According to Education Data from 2023, rst-time undergraduate students who were full-time had a dropout rate of 24.1% within the rst 12 months. Furthermore, in the fall semesters of 2021 and 2022, 28.9% of all rst-time undergraduate students who are full-time dropped out of college.
The biggest reasons for the
cause of dropout is due to nancial trouble and mental health, according to U.S. News.
College costs, in general, have been on the rise. The average annual tuition in 2024 for a private non-pro t college is $41,540, an increase of $1,600 from last year. For public in-state college, tuition is around $11,260, an increase of $270 from last year.
Along with tuition comes the mental toll that college students face. According to the American Psychological Association, over 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental illness. Furthermore, over 40% of
students in an undergraduate program considered dropping out over mental health concerns.
However, there is an upward trend in more access and priority to mental health resources, where the number of college students using campus counseling increased by 40% between 2009 and 2015, with that number increasing further after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many schools, such as the University of Illinois, have increased the amount of resources for students with concerns about mental health and academics. For those struggling academically, they can
attend faculty o ce hours or workshops to improve their writing or goal-setting skills. For those students struggling mentally, there are professional counselors who can help them recover.
Furthermore, there exists an upward trend of colleges relying on faculty to not only teach but to help identify students in pain. At the University of North Carolina, over 900 faculty received training for Mental Health First Aid to support students with mental health issues.
For more information on mental health, visit the McKinley Health Center’s website.
A guide to staying healthy, fighting sickness this fall
NEWS EDITOR
MARY PIACENTE
marypp2@dailyillini.com
Whether it’s referred to as the “frat u,” the “college cough” or “dorm disease,” college students returning to campus living and the University’s social scene are more susceptible to common ailments and viruses. Given these familiar or newfound tight quarters in dorms or bar dance oors, it’s important to take necessary precautions so students stay happy and healthy this semester.
If the University stays true to the number of students admitted for the 2023-2024 school year, this year’s class of incoming freshmen could host upwards of 8,000 new Illini. Given that rst-year students are required to live on campus, cramped quarters in University dorms mean they’re susceptible to a
host of new germs.
Dr. Robert Woodward, medical director for the McKinley Health Center on campus, says that the on-campus medical team sees students at the beginning of the school year more often than not for common, contagious ailments.
“The most common illnesses are those that are contagious when you get a lot of people together in small areas,” Woodward said via email. “These are the common cold, strep throat, pink eye and maybe even COVID.”
Dr. Woodward added that the rst few weeks of the rst semester are when a high volume of students rush to seek on-campus medical care for common illnesses or allergies, given that some have yet to adjust to the environment of central Illinois or begin to catch various bugs due to their newfound close quarters.
“The third week through
midterms seem to be quite busy,” Woodward said.
According to the National College Health Assessment published in 2023, 33.7% of surveyed students from across the country had been diagnosed with some sort of cold, virus or respiratory condition within the past year. Another 10.9% said they had been diagnosed with the u or a ulike illness.
While it may be tempting to share a drink with a friend at a party or forget to wash hands before a dining hall trip, Dr. Woodward added that it is important to thoroughly maintain personal hygiene at school.
“To avoid catching these illnesses, wash your hands before you eat and before touching your face,” Woodward said. “Also avoid being near people who are coughing or sneezing, and do not eat or drink after people.”
McKinley also has vend-
ing machines or “self-care stations” throughout campus that o er free, overthe-counter medications to students twice a semester to ght o a stubborn cough or runny nose.
COVID-19 has also been a concern throughout the summer across the globe. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization announced Tuesday that worldwide cases have been surging with fears of more severe variants on the horizon.
Dr. Woodward, however, said that while McKinley has not seen this summer surge rsthand, the team does expect a rise in similar illnesses soon.
Dr. Woodward added that since the University’s campus population is mostly healthy young adults, cases of COVID-19 should be treated like common colds unless students have an underlying lung condition like asthma.
Featured fall events for campus fun
SUMMER EDITOR
MAGDALENA NEFF
mneff6@dailyillini.com
As you settle back into campus life this fall, it’s easy to fall into a strict routine of schoolwork and studying. Take some time for yourself and squeeze one of these events into your schedule for some fun.
PAUL DRESHER’S SOUND MAZE
Ease into the semester with a musical adventure in Sound Maze, an interactive art installation featuring new, unique in-
struments. No musical experience is necessary for this creative experience, where visitors can interact with the art to make music of their own.
This exhibit is open from Aug. 23 to Sept. 7, and more information can be found on the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ website.
MILLIE WILSON: THE MUSEUM OF LESBIAN DREAMS
Depicting three decades of multimedia artist Millie Wilson’s work, this exhibition runs from Aug. 29, 2024, to March 1, 2025. The event’s opening recep-
tion will be held in the Main Gallery and Link Gallery at the Krannert Art Museum. Grab a dessert, tour the artwork and listen to remarks from the curators of the exhibit David Evans Frantz and Amy L. Powell.
More information can be found on the KAM’s website.
CHAD LAWSON: BREATHE
If you’re feeling stressed from the start of the semester, check out Chad Lawson’s meditative musical experience.
Using neuroscience, live music and meditative techniques, attendees are invit-
ed to sit onstage and learn how to “breathe.”
The event is on Sept. 7 in the Foellinger Great Hall. More information can be found on KCPA’s Website.
PYGMALION
Featuring artists like Royel Otis, Joe Pera and X Ambassadors, the PYGMALION music festival is sure to provide all sorts of entertainment. The festival will be held from Sept. 19-21 in various locations. Tickets and more information can be found on PYGMALION’s website.
Want to read more about fall fun?
Scan the QR code or visit dailyillini.com to read the full story plus more!
Thriving or just surviving? How to navigate syllabus week
SENIOR FEATURES REPORTER
SAM GREGERMAN sg94@dailyillini.com
It’s almost time for everyone’s favorite week of the semester — syllabus week. The rst week of classes is like a peace o ering. It is the one time in the semester you are guaranteed free time to organize and set yourself up for a successful semester.
These ve glorious days are critical as you get prepared for your classes. Don’t let them slip by; the workload won’t stay light for long.
Navigating syllabus week to its fullest extent takes a lot of preparation and determination, especially for new students at the University. Use the following ve tips as ways to maximize your downtime during this week.
MAP OUT YOUR AS SIGNMENTS, EXAMS AND OTHER COURSE OBLIGATIONS
This likely isn’t the rst time you’ve received this advice, but that goes to show just how important it is. Transferring each class’s schedule from the syllabus to a platform of your own is a sure re way to help keep your head on straight when the workload gets heavy later.
The Daily Illini recommends the following websites and apps for mapping out the semester:
• Google Sheets/Microso Excel
A good option for those who love spreadsheets and color coordination.
• Notion O ers over 10,000 templates for customizing to your preference.
• My Study Life
Allows you to build a schedule and schedule timely reminders.
• Todoist
A user friendly interface for keeping track of tasks and to-do lists.
You can also keep it simple and invest in a good planner for the year. Just don’t lose it!
INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR PROFESSORS
As intimidating as they may seem, your professors are there for you. They want to see and help you succeed, and taking initiative is a great way to stay on top of class content and even potentially secure some opportunities that can help you in your college career. Building a relationship, even if it is as simple as your professor knowing your name, sets you up for an easy time if you need something later in the semester. Try introducing yourself after class or going to their o ce hours — a little interpersonal connection can go a long way.
CONNECT WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN EACH OF YOUR CLASSES
No one wants to be siloed, especially in a challenging college course. Look around at the people sitting near you, because you’ll likely be seated near them for the rest of the semester. Before or after class, reach out and introduce yourself! Swap contact info so you
Students gather for a discussion in a classroom in the Campus Instructional Facility.
are guaranteed a study buddy to go through the course with. Besides, a future friend could be sitting right next to you if you give them the chance.
BUY YOUR BOOKS ASAP AND CHECK OUT SECOND-HAND OPTIONS
Many classes with assigned readings will dive into content by the second day of class. Don’t fall behind; purchase the books you need for the semester right after the rst day of class. The Illini Union Bookstore is the perfect place to go for any and all course-mandated materials. Many supplies will be available new or gently used, so pick what is best for you! For the books that won’t be used until later in the semester, look out for websites selling used copies online. The Daily Illini Sta have had success with some of the following websites in their book search:
• Amazon
• Chegg
• Campus Books
Keep in mind that both the IUB and many textbook websites o er a rental option for less money than purchasing. Either way, you can donate your books back to the bookstore at the end of the semester to pay it forward.
KEEP YOUR MIND AND BODY HEALTHY
Staying up super late during syllabus week might seem like a fun idea at the moment, but your body will thank you when you make the choice to get a full eight hours of sleep before classes the next day. A well rested body translates to an alert and active brain that is ready to absorb all the information from the week. Besides sleep, be sure to nourish yourself! Days can be long, and there isn’t always time to go to the dining hall or make lunch at home between classes — know your schedule like the back of your hand so you can prepare any snacks you may need. And don’t skip breakfast!
YICHIN LIU THE DAILY ILLINI
Admission uncertainties create student housing shortage
When the University informed resident advisors of how they may be temporarily sharing a room with incoming freshmen, it all but con rmed that the University was dealing with a housing shortage.
“It’s a complicated story of how we got to this point,” said Chris Axtman-Barker, associate director of communications and marketing for University housing. “Where we had a great returning number of students from last year, but we had more than su cient openings remaining for rst-year class until things started to operate a little bit unpredictably.”
Despite a larger than usual number of students returning to the dorms in sophomore or upper classes, Axtman-Barker explained most students made that decision in Fall 2023, months before incoming freshmen began choosing their halls.
Early complications became visible in March, when, in typical years, the University would extend nancial aid o ers to students. However this year, March came and went without prospective students having information regarding nancial aid.
“One issue all universities faced was the federal government’s delay in implementing the new FAFSA process,” said Allison Vance, director of messaging for strategic communications and marketing, via email.
“This pushed the entire admissions, nancial aid and housing process timeline.”
Typically, the FAFSA form, which determines students’ eligibility for nancial aid, is made available to complete on Oct 1. This year, it was opened on Jan 1.
Not only was the accessibility of the FAFSA delayed, but universities also faced delays receiving accurate information from the form.
“The Department of Education had a bunch of data errors with student nancial aid with the outputs of the FAFSA,” Axtman-Barker said. “Those had to be corrected and then resent. That delayed the ability of nancial aid o ces across the country, including our own at the University of Illinois, to be able to provide nan-
cial aid to students.”
As a result, nancial aid offers were not extended until April 19, over a month later than usual. This pushed back the acceptance deadline from May 1 to May 15, which in turn pushed the priority housing deadline from May 15 to May 22.
According to Michelle Trame, director of student nancial aid, even with the delayed process, the University still o ered nancial aid before many other schools. Being one of the rst to do so may have actually contributed to the next problem: predicting the size of the incoming class.
The number of students who accept their o ers and attend the University is known as the yield rate, a rate that was made increas-
JACK LARSON THE DAILY ILLINI SENIOR
ingly di cult to calculate this year.
“It’s di cult to know exactly how our student nancial aid timeline a ected our yield, but it could be related to us being able to get aid noti cations out earlier than other schools,” Trame said via Vance’s correspondence. “It’s possible students made decisions based on information available to them at the time and accepted our admissions o ers instead of waiting for another school’s nancial aid o er to arrive.”
The FAFSA wasn’t the only thing that threw a wrench in yield prediction either. Vance explained that there were multiple additional factors that went against the trends of recent years.
One was an uncharacteristically high yield of non-resident students who accepted their o ers. Another was a low level of what the University describes as “summer melt,” which is the number of students who accept their admission but subsequently change their minds and was previously much higher.
“In our case, uncertainty led to more students accepting our invitation than we expected; it’s this same uncertainty that resulted in most other universities in our state having smaller class sizes than desired when fewer students accepted their invitations,” Vance said.
All of these factors came to a head just a couple of days before students were able to start choosing their rooms when the University realized that they had made a signicant underestimation.
“There’s this thread of unpredictability that’s been happening with very little time for University sta to react,” Axtam-Barker said. “And I say this to provide
context for the things that we did next. We went to really maximize space in our own capacity to encourage cancellations as quickly as possible.”
Not getting the results they wanted by simply asking, the University began to o ernancial incentives for those willing to cancel their housing contracts in the form of $2,000 credited to a student’s account and 100 free meals.
The $2,000 gure was decided as a mark where the University thought students would be able to pay for a security deposit and up to two months of rent for a mid-tier apartment in the area.
“I canceled it mostly for the bene ts and because apartments are generally cheaper than the university and a meal plan,” said Ella Trevillian, a sophomore in LAS, via email.
Though the move did cut some costs, Trevillian wasn’t enthusiastic with every part of the deal.
“I don’t think the $2,000 was fair because I didn’t decide where they went,” Trevillian said. “It was less adding $2,000 to things I could do and more taking $2,000 away from the cost of tuition.”
Axtman-Barker admitted that University Housing couldn’t directly give students money, so crediting student accounts was the next best thing. Despite this workaround, it still had its caveats.
“Unfortunately, I already had loans and such, so I didn’t even receive the full $2,000,” Trevillian said. Though the nancial side of the deal fell short for Trevillian, she was pleased with the sustenance side.
“The meal plans, however, I feel is a pretty good deal,”
Trevillian added. “I will be living far from campus, but it gives me easier access to food while I’m between classes.”
Trevillian’s newfound distance from campus is yet another unintended side-e ect of the situation. The most sought-after apartment locations on campus often begin to ll many months before the start of the academic year.
“Searching for an apartment this close to the school year was di cult,” Trevillian said. “There never really is an ideal apartment on campus, but most of the acceptable ones weren’t available.”
New roommates in a new place far from class is not necessarily a dream scenario, but Trevillian doesn’t seem too disheartened. “It’s far from perfect, but on a rushed time schedule, it will do just ne,” Trevillian concluded.
The University’s cancellation campaign has seen some success, with over 250 students choosing to cancel so far, all of whom received the $2,000 credit and free meals. Still, the cancellations weren’t enough, and more drastic measures had to be taken. The University informed RAs on July 26 that some advisors would have a temporary rst-year student roommate for the upcoming school year. RAs who have a roommate will receive an additional stipend of $125 for each month while they live with their roommate.
The measure came in response to University Housing needing to nd a way to increase their capacity once it was established cancellations alone wouldn’t solve the problem.
“Unfortunately, one of the most obvious answers is RAs are going to have to have a roommate because then
we’re going to be able to add a lot of capacity, and we’re in a position where we’re pretty far under the amount of space that we need to house the incoming class,” Axtman-Barker said. “And we have to house everyone who is required to live with us.”
In the vast majority of cases, freshmen are required to live in University Housing. So, as the incoming class shapes up to be even larger than ever, it begs the question of a more permanent solution to more student housing.
“We do have a plan for constructing new buildings, and that plan existed before any of this happened this summer with the housing shortage,” Axtman-Barker said.
These plans, however, are still years out, as the University still needs to determine how many rooms to add,nalize the location and build up enough money for the undertaking.
“One of the ways that we do that is we have a longterm facilities plan. In that long-term facilities plan, we need a few years to save up enough money to take on the debt for building a new residence hall,” Axtman-Barker explained.
While long-term plans are in place, for now, students will have to make do with measures unheard of in Axtman-Barker’s tenure — ones he understands are far from ideal.
“We know that this isn’t what people thought that they were getting in some cases, especially when it comes to our RAs ... we’re really sorry that that’s happening,” Axtman-Barker said. “And we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t think it was completely necessary, but we’re still really sorry that it’s happening.”
A good girl’s guide to formal recruitment
SENIOR FEATURE REPORTER
SAM GREGERMAN sg94@dailyillini.com
For many girls, the beginning of the school year doesn’t just mean a new set of classes — they are also preparing to undergo sorority recruitment.
Returning students likely recognize the gaggles of girls racing around campus in matching shirts or fancy dresses. Full days talking to a number of di erent people and getting from one end of campus to another on foot — all while wearing heels — is the magic of recruitment season.
The Daily Illini spoke with three directors of recruitment for their respective sororities to provide some insider tips to any potential new members — known as PNMs — or, rather, any reader curious about the process.
Zoe Raptis, a junior in Gamma Phi Beta, serves as membership vice president for her chapter. When asked what she recommends PNMs put in their recruitment bags she advised to keep snacks and water while also spoke on how she appreciated having makeup compacts, deodorant and a hair brush in her bag.
“It’s nice to just feel fresh and ready,” Raptis said. “It gets hot, especially coming from houses that are further apart.”
Delaney Morse also acts as membership vice president for her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. Her biggest recommendation was bandaids.
“I ended up using a bunch of them,” Morse said. “A lot of the shoes I wore, unfortunately, gave me blisters, even if I thought they were going to be really comfortable sneakers. So bandaids were super helpful to have on hand.”
Claire Margaglione, a junior in Alpha Gamma Delta, provided some insight into what her responsibilities are as vice president of recruitment.
“I plan both formal and informal recruitment, and I educate our members on how we recruit,” Margaglione said. “Basically, anything recruitment-related, I’m in charge of planning and executing.”
The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
The Daily Illini: What was the most memorable part of your recruitment experience?
Zoe Raptis: Meeting everyone in the di erent chapters. I made connections and talked with girls from every single chapter, and I still talk to a lot of them. I’ll say hi to them when I walk down the street, even if they’re not in my chapter. I remember the girls who rushed me and the girls that I rushed. It’s nice to keep the connections up.
Delaney Morse: Honestly, recruitment goes by in such a blur and it’s hard to nd something to remember, but for me, it was the last o cial recruitment round — it’s called Preference.
At that point in time, I was unsure if joining a sorority was the path for me, but the conversations I had during Preference felt so much more real, relaxed and genuine that they sealed the deal for me.
Claire Margaglione: For me, the most memorable part of recruitment was probably after Open House. It was the Philanthropy round. You have hundreds of girls walking around campus in the same shirt, and you get to see everyone super excited. It was really powerful to see everyone in the same boat navigating it all together and being really excited to continue the process.
The DI: How did you balance the rst few weeks of classes with recruitment? Any tips?
Raptis: Trying to stay as organized as possible is so important. I have a little planner that I love to write every single thing in. It makes me feel like everything’s in one place, and I’m not going to forget anything. Also, be sure to decompress at the end of the day. If you need alone time, take that alone time. Go on walks, and do whatever you can to clear your mind because there’s a lot going on at the beginning, especially with adjusting to school, recruitment and moving to a new place.
Morse: It was tricky, especially when you’re getting used to college as a freshman, and you’re still trying
to gure out what materials you actually need to buy for your classes and whatnot. If I were to give someone a tip, I would just provide a reminder that you’re a student rst, and that should always be your rst priority. When you focus on school, the rest balances out on its own.
Margaglione: I would recommend, as soon as you get to your classes, to make a spreadsheet of all your assignments, readings, projects and things like that. I made a Google Sheet and put in every single date for the entire semester. It let me look at my weeks at a glance really easily on one sheet and see where I needed to work ahead. That way I could get done what I needed to do before recruitment.
The DI: Who did you turn to for support in the recruitment process?
Raptis: I talked to my mom a lot. After every single round I would text her. I also talked to my friends from other schools who had already gone through recruitment. A lot of my friends from home went to schools in the south, so they had already been through it. They helped me a lot, especially with the later rounds when I was so torn.
Want more tips for formal recruitment?
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CU MUSIC GUIDE
A guide to music in Champaign-Urbana in the fall
MAAIKE NIEKERK
maaiken2@dailyillini.com
Whether you’re brand new to Champaign-Urbana or have been in the area for years, there’s always something fresh in the community’s lively music scene.
With a wide range of local venues, live music can be found somewhere nearby every night of the week during the fall semester. As students return to campus,
C-U will come to life with live jazz, folk music, alternative genres and more.
This fall will host a number of big names on campus, including rapper CupcakKe, rapper and producer Soulja Boy, comedy troupe
The Second City, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and more.
Urbana is a major hot spot, with various locations providing accessible shows throughout the semester.
The Canopy Club hosts various artists for students over the age of 18 to enjoy,
with some big names arriving on campus this semester. The annual PYGMALION Festival will be taking place Sept. 19-21, with many headliners appearing at the Canopy Club.
Pop duo Royel Otis will open up the festival on Sept. 19, with pop band X Ambassadors headlining night two on Sept. 20 and CupcakKe closing out the weekend on Sept. 21. All of these shows and many more will take place on the Canopy Club main stage.
The Canopy Club also frequently hosts DJ sets and themed nights, including a monthly Latin Night — the first of which is Aug. 30 —
the return of Emo Nite on Sept. 28, K-Pop Night Oct. 18 and more.
Krannert Center uses its five stages to host a wide variety of performances, from classical ensembles to comedy and live theater.
Be sure to look out for tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 7 and the London Philharmonic Orchestra on Oct. 15. The performance from the oldest orchestra in London will likely sell out incredibly fast, as the CSO’s audience filled quickly last year.
Want
Lolla P alo oza
JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI
Lollapalooza
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
ELLA NARAG mnarag2@dailyillini.com
SENIOR BUZZ REPORTER
ANNISYN KREBS-CARR annisyn2@dailyillini.com
4-DAY RECAP
Thursday, Aug. 1
Over 100,000 festival goers crowded the elds of Grant Park, going back and forth between di erent stages in high humidity levels and even higher temperatures for a chance to see 48 di erent performances.
Hozier and Megan Thee Stallion were headlining on Thursday. Other performances included Flo, Benson Boone, Kesha, Tyla and many others.
Blondshell took the Bacardi stage at 1:50 p.m.
Chappell Roan com-
pletely wiped out
T-Mobile’s stage at 5 p.m., including the corners where vision was blocked by trees.
One of the biggest crowds gathered for her on the rst evening of the festival, where she delivered a highly-anticipated energetic show.
Kesha brought back the early 2000s in her set at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Fueled with nostalgia and new hits, the dancing never stopped at this location.
Hozier brought such a high intensity of vulnerable feeling and emotion to his headlin-
Pop sensation Kesha pulls out a knife during her performance of “Backstabber” at the IHG stage on Aug.
1. Her performance brought a taste of the 2000s back to the festival.
ing Talking about world peace before
ed to revolution, Hozier’s section of the show overtook the Bud Light stage at 8:30 p.m.
Megan Thee Stallion also stormed the stage with womanhood and empowerment in her headlining set at the T-Mobile stage.
She talked about world politics and the upcoming 2024 U.S. election during her set.
Friday, Aug. 2
Day two of the four-day festival ran smoothly, with headlining artists SZA and Stray Kids.
Temperatures were much lower, and the expected rainfall never showed, leaving concertgoers with a cooler experience than on Thursday.
Other artists who performed on Friday included Twinsick, Raye, Reneé Rapp, Victoria Monet and Zedd.
The 10-hour span of various showtimes allowed attendees to visit another 48 performances in downtown Chicago.
Laufey took the Bud Light stage at 6:45 p.m. with the Chicago Philharmonic, captivating and bewitching the crowd with an angelic voice.
She brought artist Raye to the stage for a jazz duet, surprising listeners and receiving applause throughout the set.
Sexyy Red changed the meaning of a strong bass with her performance at the Bud Light stage at 4:45 p.m.
Rousing up the crowd and dancing hard, she brought energy and emotion throughout her performance.
SZA found herself sitting on top of a tree that seemingly fell from the sky — or the top of the T-Mobile stage.
Evolving with every couple of songs, SZA’s performance was nothing short of spectacular.
It was phenomenal. Transcendental, if you will.
Stray Kids displayed reworks and shot spews of re in a demonstration at their set at Bud Light stage in another high-production performance to end the night. It brought perspective and youth to the festival.
Saturday, Aug. 3
It was lackluster, a little, to say the least. Day three of Lollapalooza wasn’t as lively or exciting, especially when considering the last two days of pure vigor and passion that Thursday and Friday artists brought to the stage. Still magical in its own way, Saturday brought peaks and valleys to the heart of downtown
JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI
Rapper and singer Armani White stands covered in a blanket on the T-Mobile stage during his set on Aug. 3. White earlier performed in Urbana at the Foellinger Auditorium on April 5, 2023 for an event hosted by Star Course at the University.
Chicago.
Accompanied by extreme heat with no shelter from the clouds, Saturday’s collection of near 50 performances juxtaposed energetic performances from Tate McRae and Deftones with more laid back ones, including Quarters of Change and Happy Landing.
Headlining on Saturday were rock band The Killers on the T-Mobile stage and both Future and Metro Boomin at the Bud Light stage.
Other performances included Natalie Jane, boywithuke, eyedress and Skrillex, who went on twice.
Tate McRae lled the Bud Light eld when she went on at 7 p.m. Crowds even toward the back, where more festival goers are resting their legs and sitting on the oor, stayed standing and dancing throughout her set.
The Killers’ set was memorable: They brought a fan onstage
and the audience’s energy lit up the eld.
Future x Metro Boomin delivered an increasingly vigorous performance at the Bud Light stage at 8:30.
The set drew in a large crowd of festival goers, many of whom waited for hours before the performance.
Unfortunately, the set felt lackluster and underwhelming despite the anticipation.
Sunday, Aug. 4
As the fourth and nal day of the festival came to a close, the sun was high, the skies were blue and Lollapalooza attendees posed for photos in front of the iconic sign one last time.
Headlining on Sunday were Melanie Martinez and Blink-182, who played at the Bud Light and T-Mobile stages, respectively. Other artists included grentperez, Pierce the Veil, Teddy Swims, WILLIS and The Last
Dinner Party.
Two Door Cinema Club played the IHG Hotels & Resorts stage at 7:45, a performance that went back to their older music throughout the set.
Their stage time was vibey but energetic.
Conan Gray delivered a wholesome and versatile performance in his time on Bud Light stage that started at 6:45 p.m.
The audience felt Gray’s love for them throughout the set.
Cults addressed their audience heavily in their performance at Bacardi stage at 7:45 p.m. As an indie-rockpop band, they talked heavily about their success which spans over a decade.
Blink-182 closed Lollapalooza on the T-Mobile stage at 8:45 p.m. in a strong rock set including a joke or two too forward. Their performance was deemed one of an acquired taste.
An opinionated review of the set can be found online.
Melanie Martinez ended Lollapalooza’s 2024 Bud Light stage run in her headlining set which started at 8:30 p.m.
Martinez played many of her popular hits in a slew of numbers trailing her entire discography.
JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI
Ava Maybee performs her 40-minute set on the BMI stage at Lollapalooza day two on Aug. 2.
JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI
Lollapalooza 2024
Conan Gray performs on the Bud Light stage at Lollapalooza day four on Aug. 4. He performed hits like “Maniac,” “Heather” and “Memories.”
ABOVE – Reneé Rapp performs at the T-Mobile stage on Aug. 2.
LEFT – Chappell Roan takes to the catwalk at the T-Mobile stage. Her performance brought in a massive audience, flooding the park.
Indie-rock band
performs their hour-long set at the IHG stage on day three of the festival.
Indie-pop band TV Girl performs for festival goers at the Bud Light stage on Aug. 3. The band played an hour-long set to a sizeable crowd.
JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI
JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI Tate McRae puts on an infectious concert set to a large crowd at the Bud Light stage on day three of Lollapalooza.
JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI
Hippo Campus
JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI
JACOB SLABOSZ THE DAILY ILLINI
A large crowd gathers around the Bud Light stage for Lizzie McAlpine’s performance on Aug. 1.
JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI
How biking across the country restored my faith in good people
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
MAAIKE NIEKERK
maaiken2@dailyillini.com
While the idea of biking across the country for cancer research as a 20-yearold college student seems daunting, let’s clarify some things right o the bat. I am not a superhuman athlete. I am not a youth cycling prodigy. I am an incredibly ordinary person, who has quite a grudge against cancer and a very, very beautiful support system.
Cancer has run rampant through my family for gen-
erations. When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer early in my life, she fought it o as though it was just an ordinary illness. All these years later, she has yet to complain about the after-e ects of chemotherapy a single time. It took me a good while to realize such a strong history of cancer within your family tree isn’t normal. When I was in middle school, I remember my classmates being stunned that one of our teachers was a cancer survivor. When I told them about my mom, they were even more shocked.
As I grew older and more cancer cases and health issues popped up in my family, the dark reality of the disease began to weigh more and more on my mind. When I considered di erent majors to start my college application, I brie y thought about studying biology with an eventual goal of working in cancer research. My personal dislike for science classes in school quickly squashed that idea, as I was more of a language arts kid, but I knew I would dedicate some portion of my life to helping ght the disease in some way.
Illini 4000 is a non-pro t organization that has been completely student-run for 17 years. The group fundraises money each year for cancer research and patient support. A team of approximately 20-25 students bikes across the country each summer to document the American cancer experience.
Being a local, I had heard about the organization through the University and seen the group’s journey documented on social media each summer. While I always thought the ride would be an incredible experience,
I didn’t actually consider it until the summer of 2023 when I was bored enough to develop an obsession with the Tour de France and the world of ultra-endurance sports.
The organization was incredibly welcoming, which was helpful in preparing for such a huge task. Each member of the team was responsible for fundraising $4,000 before the beginning of the ride, which we did through bake sales, DJ shows, selling snacks along Green Street and reaching out to businesses for donations.
Going into the ride, I had a few expectations and a hope. I expected it to be very hard — which I wanted — and exhausting. I expected to see beautiful natural parks and things I had never seen before, living my whole life in central Illinois. I expected to learn more about the cancer experience from survivors outside of my family members. The one hope, which was truly the only hope, was to regain some faith in human kindness.
The 2024 Illini 4000 route took us everywhere throughout the United States. We hit hugely populated cities in the rst few weeks, including our starting point of
New York City, Washington D.C., Columbus, Indianapolis and Chicago. Stretches in the Midwest and Northwest brought us to much more rural areas, as we rode through towns where our 18-person team increased their population by a signi cant percentage.
To me, the ride itself was analogous to the cancer experience. Our team had constant high highs and low lows, and we faced constant obstacles. We essentially had a summer lled with problem-solving exercise after problem-solving exercise, which forced us to work as an e cient team. On our rst day leaving New York City, we had nine at tires and biked through a complete downpour. We climbed mountains and then faced, at times, equally challenging descents on the other side. Waking up every day at 5 a.m. and choosing to get on a bike was a challenge in itself, not to mention the average 75 miles of riding every day.
But what drove us forward was what so many survivors, my mother included, shared. It is the force that guided their cancer experience: kindness. Day after day after day, I was con-
tinuously surprised by the amount of pure generosity we received from others. The number of people who let us sleep and shower in their homes, gave us a warm meal and felt comfortable opening up about their cancer experiences with us was incredible. Wherever we found ourselves throughout the country, from the biggest city to the smallest farm town, there was always, without fail, someone who was willing to be kind.
This generosity wasn’t limited to the wide variety of strangers we met but was felt within our team too. Like I said about myself at the beginning, our team is not made up of superhuman athletes. Many of us have an athletic background — cross country and track runners, swimmers, soccer players, even a boxer — but only one or two of us actually came into the ride as cyclists. We are all incredibly di erent people; the only thing we have in common is quite possibly the fact that we were all crazy enough to sign up for this.
Despite the di erences we brought to the group, our diverse team somehow always managed to be stronger together. We recognized
our specialties and felt comfortable being vulnerable around each other and shared our family experiences with cancer openly. We openly loved one another and showed gratitude, which is so often discouraged among people our age.
As I am writing this, we are less than 24 hours away from crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, which will o cially mark the end of our ride. A cross-country bike trip gifted me many things — one of them being the coolest possible answer to the upcoming rst-day icebreaker question: “What’s one interesting thing you did this summer?”
But ultimately, it gave me the greatest reassurance I ever could have hoped for: There will always be good people. Wherever you look, people are always willing to be kind. The many cancer survivors we spoke with have stood by this as their saving grace. While it seems like a very simple discovery to make, in such a divided world, this was the best thing I could have hoped to discover. Biking across a country is a daunting task, but is immeasurably easier when you have the most beautiful people at your side.
JOSEPH HANSEN ILLINI 4000
By Doug Peterson
Sudoku
Provided by The Mempham Group
Crossword Puzzle
COMICS
AMY SANCHEZ THE DAILY ILLINI
SORO UNG THE DAILY ILLINI
ANNA FEDCZUK THE DAILY ILLINI
Decision 2024: Scout’s big debate
SATIRIST CAMPUS SCOUT scout@dailyillini.com
The hierarchy of the U.S. political universe is about to change. On stage tonight, for one night only, the greatest minds in the nation will come together in the most anticipated political event since the CNN spinroom following the 2024 Presidential Debate.
Now, the true test of adequacy for the seat of commander-in-chief can nally be underway in Primetime — the Collegiate Pseudonym Debate is coming to your TV screens live tonight. It will air at 2 a.m. CT on the beautiful and spacious oor of Madison Square Garden, located in the far-south Industrial District of Detroit.
An invitation has been sent to all satirical alter-egos of the major universities to gather in one spot to demonstrate their political views — and garner followings. The notable among the attendees is the originator of the recent wave of satirical alter-egos throwing their hat in the ring — the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s very own Campus Scout.
Also invited to the debate is the Baron Lampoon III hailing from the prestigious Harvard University, as well as the much-lesser Scout-inspired Quad Curator hailing from the little-known newspaper based out of a dorm basement at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The moderator of the debate, ABC World News’ very own David Muir ventriloquist, Harvey Trisk, is still awaiting RSVP from several other participants, including the University of Notre Dame’s Larry the Leprechaun still at large, in a manner of speaking.
Mr. Trisk has decades of experience operating life-size humanoid shapes from behind desks, so he is fully looking forward to the chance to nally operate his very own humanoid shape from behind the moderator desk.
Trisk made an e ort to assure the American people that his questions will be hard-hitting and thought-provoking, quoted in a pre-game chat with 60 Minutes’ Lesley Stahl.
Prior to the debate, the unexpectedly overnight-famous Campus Scout has been upping his self-promotion to an extravagant degree. Reportedly using the proceeds from a massive Cold War artifact auction held last month outside Champaign’s Black Dog Tavern, Scout has purchased pop-up advertisements on popular social media platforms including BeReal and Clash of Clans.
Whenever a town hall is attacked or an unseemly candid photograph is taken of one’s barren bedroom wall, a fullscreen wide-grinning portrait of Scout’s blue visage erupts on one’s phone screen. Scout’s target demographic of America’s youth will nd it dicult to escape his ubiquitous presence online.
Many knowledgeable pun-
ANNA FEDCZUK
dits around the nation have been placing their bets on who will emerge victorious in the debate, with a majority favoring the noble Baron Lampoon III. Knowing the Baron’s penchant for going positively catatonic when faced with questions on labor policy, Scout will only need to stay conscious for the duration of the debate to emerge on top.
As for the other candidates, Mr. Trisk mentioned his lack of interest in any other responses aside from Scouts’.
Lesley Stahl quoted him earlier, repeating, “This cerulean genius deserves his time in the spotlight. Baron Lampoon III can kiss my blue-collar-country bumpkin behind.”
Much discourse has surrounded Scout’s enthusiastic legions of supporters, especially in the light of many developments within the Democratic party.
Scout’s only reply, however, has been to emphasize his standing as an Independent. He stresses his disdain for baby-back barbecue ribs and his love for freshly-caught New England snapper.
Even as Mr. Trisk’s desk is
being wheeling out to the garden, murmurs emerge of bad publicity for the Baron, as multiple past comments of his regarding the Third Amendment. In the wake of this bombshell discovery, many of his supporters have turned their social media backing to Scout, like rats o a sinking ship.
To be clear, Scout rmly opposes the boarding of British troops in American dwellings. No matter the outcome of the debate, Scout will be forced to consider the impact of his massive fame on the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Should his writein campaign follow its clear trajectory to the stars, he may garner the support he needs from unexpected places.
Tune into the Debate of the Month, live from the garden on Madison Square, Detroit, this morning at 2 a.m. This is truly one piece of public discourse you will not want to accidentally DVR on Hulu Live Recorded Content while misclicking next to “The Bear.”
Stay tuned to see where Scout’s road to 600 Pennsylvania Ave. takes him next time!
THE DAILY ILLINI
Deconstructing Divestment
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
AIDAN MILLER-HISGEN
aidanm5@dailyillini.com
SENIOR NEW REPORTER
JESSIE WANG
jessiew4@dailyillini.com
For 13 days last semester, pro-Palestine supporters set up encampments — rst at Alma Mater, then on the Main Quad — to demand the University cut ties with companies pro ting from the war in Gaza.
These protesters are not alone. Student bodies at over 100 colleges in 30 states around the country have pressured their administrations to be held accountable for their investments, as well as partnerships, with Israel.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched a surprise invasion of southern Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and abducting 250. In Israel’s subsequent bombing campaign and invasion of Gaza, the military has killed 36,000 Palestinians, with over 1.7 million internally displaced, and the enclave is also facing a severe food and humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
In January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take
measures to prevent genocide in Gaza. Eight months into the war, the International Criminal Court now seeks arrest warrants for war crimes against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leadership.
On April 28, Students for Justice in Palestine at the University published a list of demands on their Instagram. They asked the administration to divest from corporations pro ting from the occupation of Palestine, cease collaborations with corporations involved in the oppression of Palestinians and publicly disclose all of its nancial assets.
So, what do these calls for divestment mean and what would potential divestment look like?
THE UNIVERSITY IS WELL ENDOWED
The University has two large pools of money: the University of Illinois System and the University of Illinois Foundation.
The rst, the University of Illinois System, holds $4.9 billion in assets as of scal year 2023. This $4.9 billion is split into an Operating Pool and an Endowment Pool. The Operating Pool
— composed of revenue from tuition, state funding and grants — makes up $3.72 billion, and the Endowment Pool — worth $1.07 billion — comes from private gifts and donations.
UIS is managed by a board of trustees, who set investment policies and appoint members to oversee committees such as the audit, budget,nance and facilities committees. The UIS is a public body, and information about the UIS’s portfolio was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.
The second pool, the University of Illinois Foundation, serves as the fundraising and private gift-receiving organization of the University.
In 2023, UIF had an endowment worth $2.73 billion. However, unlike UIS, the UIF is not a public body under the FOIA and the exact contents of the organization’s investments are unknown.
INSTITUTIONAL TIES TO THE WAR IN GAZA AND ISRAEL
The UIS portfolio held $21.3 million in assets tied to compa-
UI invested $27 million in companies linked to war in Gaza in 2023
nies involved in the war in Gaza and Israel in scal year 2023.
These assets consisted of investments in the following companies.
• $20.3 million in BAE Systems PLC., Boeing Co., Northrup Grumman Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Lockheed Martin Co. These companies are present on the Action Center for Corporate Accountability’s divestment list of publicly traded companies that “enable or facilitate human rights violations or violations of international law” in Gaza.
• $443,000 in State of Israel securities in the form of a corporate bond and an international government bond.
• $643,000 in Expedia Group, linked to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank in a 2020 report by the United Nations.
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Sports additions you missed over the summer
SPORTS EDITOR
BEN FADER
bfader2@dailyillini.com
While students were home enjoying a well-deserved summer break, Illini coaches worked hard on the recruiting trail. Several programs bolstered their rosters over the summer, trying to continue the winning culture established on campus last year Seven teams made notable additions, starting with the fall sports.
SOCCER
The season is already underway, and Illinois soccer added a big contributor to the 2024 campaign. Fifthyear forward Lindsey DuSatko arrived in Champaign this summer after four years with Valparaiso. She started all 21 games in 2023, on her way to MVC All-Conference Third Team and an NCAA tournament bid.
FOOTBALL
The o ense was already the stronger unit for the Illini, but adding senior wide re-
ceiver Zakhari Franklin only solidi es the group. After four years at UTSA, where he became familiar with Illini o ensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., he leads all current NCAA players in receiving yards and touchdowns. This adds another weapon to a strong receiving core for junior quarterback Luke Altmyer, who is looking to rebound from a rough rst year in Champaign.
MEN’S GYMNASTICS
Graduate transfer Sam Phillips will stay in the Big
The coolest venues Illini athletics will visit in the 2024-25 season
SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
SAHIL MITTAL
sahilsm3@dailyillini.com
Anew season of Illini Athletics is ready to get started in Champaign.
Aside from Illinois fan-favorite venues like the State Farm Center and Memorial Stadium, Illini teams will have the chance to play in a few very cool places this season around the country. Here are some of the most intriguing venues your favorite Illini teams will set foot in this season.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: MEN’S BASKETBALL
The bright lights, celebrities and aura — Madison Square Garden is one of, if not the most famous and highly regarded arenas in the world.
For the third straight season, Brad Underwood and his team will travel to New York City for a high-pro le matchup, this time against college basketball powerhouse Duke on Feb. 25, 2025. Illinois, in its own right, is starting to establish itself as a premiere program in
college basketball, with an Elite Eight nish in last season’s NCAA tournament and a new class of high-pro le recruits, including ve-star Will Riley. The attention on the Illini will only grow, so there’s nothing more tting for a fast-rising program like Illinois to play an established team like Duke in the city that never sleeps.
OREGON’S AUTZEN STADIUM: FOOTBALL
Bret Bielema and Illinois football will take a trip to the West Coast Oct. 26 to play
Ten for the 2024 season, coming to Champaign from Nebraska. His veteran status will help the Illini immediately, as he comes from one Big Ten champion and competes to bring another to the Illini.
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the Oregon Ducks, who left the Pac-12 ahead of this season to join the Big Ten. This matchup marks the Illini’s fourth-ever game against the Ducks. The rst two games were played in Champaign, with Illinois winning the 1970 game and Oregon taking the 1993 matchup. The last time the two teams faced o was almost 30 years ago in Oregon in 1995, and the Ducks successfully defended their home turf. Now, for the rst time as conference opponents, the Illini will have an opportunity to settle the all-time series against the Ducks in one of college football’s loudest venues.
Want to read more about cool venues?
Scan the QR code or visit dailyillini.com to read the full story plus more!
Former Illini who dominated the summer
SPORTS EDITOR
BEN FADER
bfader2@dailyillini.com
The start of a new school year means another year of Illinois Athletics, with the fall sports season ending the summer drought without the Illini. But, for those who know where to look, Illini action never ended.
RAJEEV RAM
With the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer, it’s only fair to recognize an Illini who performed on the world stage. Ram became the oldest Olympian tennis medalist in 116 years, earning a silver in doubles competition after losing a
close nal to Australia. It was a hard-earned medal, as the Americans took down Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal on their way to second place.
JORDYN POULTER
An Olympic setter, Poulter is still working her way back from major knee surgery in 2022, but that hasn’t stopped her from contributing at the highest level. The United States hasn’t faced much competition on its way to the semi nal match, with Poulter patrolling the net and searching for her Olympic gold.
THOMAS DETRY
Rounding out the Olympic standouts, the 31-year-old
competed until the very end in Paris. Out of 60 golfers, Detry nished T-9 and 12 under after round 4, seven strokes behind American champion Scottie Sche er. Detry has improved greatly in the last two years, and seeing how he stacked up against Olympic competition should give him con dence to continue his recent Major Championships success.
MICHAEL MASSEY
The Kansas City Royals second baseman has surprised in 2024 after two mediocre years in the majors. Massey has shot up to career highs, with a .265 AVG and an OPS in the mid-700s. Most importantly, Massey’s WAR is 1.3, proving
his value to a team surging for its rst playo berth since 2015.
TERRENCE SHANNON JR.
Shannon got limited action in the summer league, but his dominance led to him becoming a Minnesota Timberwolves fan favorite on social media. He was even dubbed “steal of the draft” by multiple media outlets, including Sports Illustrated. In his three full games against the Pelicans, the Pacers and the 76ers, Shannon averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, while adding three steals and ve blocks across the contests.
B1G EXPANSION
STAFF WRITER
LAURA MENDES
laurafm2@dailyillini.com
With the upcoming college football season about to start, all eyes are on the Big Ten as it incorporates UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon into the conference. This new era of Big Ten athletics brings many challenges and culture shocks for both the new members and the existing teams.
This is the rst time in 10 years that the Big Ten is expanding. Since starting in 1896 with Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin and the Uni-
versity of Chicago, the conference has expanded seven times.
There are many skeptics of the newest inclusions, many for logistical reasons.
Most Big Ten schools are in the Midwest, with Rutgers, Penn State and Maryland on the east coast. However, the conference now expands to both coasts, making the journey from Rutgers to Oregon roughly 2,900 miles. That’s approximately a 43-hour drive or a ve-and-a-halfhour long ight, which these student-athletes will inevitably have to make, even occasionally on weeknights.
Traveling also isn’t the big-
gest hurdle for these teams.
With 18 schools spanning from the Paci c to the Atlantic Ocean, they all will have to learn to play in di erent weather environments. The 14 pre-existing teams were relatively in the same region of the country, with similar humid summers and cold winters. However, the west coast teams average 30 degrees warmer temperatures in the prime football season of November, making for an entirely di erent kind of “football weather.”
Finally, the quality of the conference has risen. In the nal AP poll of the 2023-24 season, the new Big Ten ended with six ranked teams, and
newcomers USC and UCLA have also elded ranked teams in the last two years, which could displace some Big Ten competition that has hovered in the middle or bottom of the pack recently.
As for Illinois, they are only scheduled to play against one incoming team, Oregon, in late October.
They will largely avoid the big new environments, stiened competition, and Los Angeles tra c, but they will have to ght in the standings. The games mean more now, and year one serves as a chance for a statement to see who will survive conference expansion.
NEW LOOK
2024-25 men’s basketball roster preview
SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
SAHIL MITTAL
sahilsm3@dailyillini.com
Illinois fans will have to get used to a fresh contingent of faces this season at the State Farm Center. Brad Underwood and his sta brought in 10 new players during the o season, with only four remaining from last season’s Elite Eight team. With a mix of international players, future NBA draft picks, win-now talent and building blocks for the future, Illinois has one of the most intriguing rosters in college basketball heading into the 2024-25 season.
CAREY BOOTH: SOPHOMORE TRANSFER, NOTRE DAME
Booth is a 6-foot-10 forward/center who can step out and shoot the ball from long range, something Underwood prioritized in his big men on this year’s roster. Booth will likely come o the bench behind Tomislav Ivisic but should still see substantial minutes on the
oor. His athleticism and willingness to run the oor should complement an Illinois team that loved to score in transition last season and will be looking to do the same this year.
KYLAN BOSWELL: JUNIOR TRANSFER, ARIZONA
Boswell is an experienced, well-rounded point guard who will bring leadership to a relatively young Illini roster. Boswell, a Champaign-Urbana native, can facilitate, shoot the ball consistently and be a pesky defender. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in his sophomore campaign at Arizona. He will likely be one of Underwood’s most used players and has the chance to form a dynamic duo in the backcourt with freshman Kasparas Jakucionis.
JAKE DAVIS: SOPHOMORE TRANSFER, MERCER
Davis is a shooter, plain and simple. He averaged 38.7% from beyond the arc on 4.7 attempts per game as a freshman at Mercer. With the guard and
Guard Ty Rodgers comes back on defense a er scoring a jump shot in the first half againt Kansas on Oct. 29.
wing rotations looking crowded, look for Davis to receive spot minutes when the Illini need some quick buckets.
DRA GIBBS-LAWHORN: SOPHOMORE, RETURNER
After seeing his role increase toward the end of last season, Gibbs-Lawhorn will likely now be the primary backup guard for Boswell and Jakucionis with the departures of Luke Goode, Niccolo Moretti and Justin Harmon. Gibbs-Lawhorn is primarily a scorer, and he will likely always play with either Boswell or Jakucionis, alleviating any facilitating concerns. With a summer of training and development under his belt, look for the sophomore guard to have a potential breakout year as a key contributor o the bench.
BEN HUMRICHOUS: FIFTH-YEAR TRANSFER, EVANSVILLE
From last season’s Illinois roster, Humrichous can be best compared on the o ensive end to Quincy Guerrier. Like Guerrier, Humrichous is a bigger forward (6-foot-9) who shoots the three at a high clip (41.4% last season for Evansville). However, he will need to improve his rebounding and perimeter defense. The power and aggressiveness that Humrichous plays with, in addition to his shooting, is impressive, which could allow him to be one of Illinois’ highest scorers this year.
TOMISLAV IVISIC: FRESHMAN, CROATIA/SC DERBY
Illinois hasn’t had a true center since Ko Cockburn in the 2021-22 season, with Coleman Hawkins playing the ve the last two years instead of being a wing. However, that will change this season, as the 7-foot-1, 230-pound Ivisic will give the Illini a strong force in the paint who can protect the rim. Unlike Cockburn, Ivisic can also stretch the oor; he shot 42.3% from three for SC Derby of the Adriatic League last season. Ivisic has played against strong professional competition in the last few years. That experience, combined with his mix of touch and power, should allow Ivisic to be an immediate impact player for Illinois.
JASON JAKSTYS: FRESHMAN, YORKVILLE (ILLINOIS)
Jakstys is a project for Brad Underwood and is a candidate to redshirt this season with limited minutes available in the frontcourt behind Booth and Ivisic. He’s skinny but has already shown noticeable improvements to his body after working with strength coach Adam Fletcher this summer. At 6-foot-10, Jakstys is strong by the basket and likes to play above the rim. However, he also has great feel, can handle the ball, push the pace in transition, and is very condent in his shooting from long range.
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