We are back in business.
I went down to the Illinois vs. Ohio State game last Saturday thinking that if we lost to Ohio State, there would be no way people would wait another hour and a half to watch the Chief dance. However, I was more than surprised when there were lines of hundreds of people waiting to get in right after the game ended.
I showed up at 2:30 at the security hut and reunited with all of the former Chief's who could made it. In all, I believe there were 11 Chiefs and 1 assistant Chief. After exchanging hugs and handshakes, we all walked down into the tunnel, which brought back some sweet memories. Some of the same staff and police escort from when I was Chief were there waiting for us.
It was like we never left. I pulled aside to go into the dressing room where I saw the new regalia laid out and it looked like the former regalia but brighter and smelled much better. The headdress was big and beautiful. I couldn't wait for Logan to dance...however...he wasn't there. He was still marching back to the Armory with the Marching Illini, then turning around and bolting to the Assembly Hall.
I then walked out into the Hall, where I was meeting by friends and fans alike. The lower bowl had just started to fill up and the band was starting up. I was giving a orange band to allow me access in and out of the tunnel, which was nice.
I brought my video camera and took video of everything, but I'm having some trouble uploading, but as soon as I can, I will.
The actual event was well done and awe inspiring. I would have been happy if the A section was filled, but then B was filled and C-section was starting to be filled as well. I was ecstatic. The videos were wonderfully done and gave a really good understanding of the roots of the tradition and why we feel it is such an honorable one. All the former Chiefs were introduced and it was great to get the ovation.
The talks were great and as each one came up, you could tell the crowd getting riled up. It was exciting to be just like the 9,000 other waiting to see the main event. I was a little bit worried honestly because I had talked to Logan earlier in the week about his decision to wear moccasins, which we haven't done in year because the potential to slip on the floor. Logan indicated that he had gone through the dance and all was well. He even said he made a small modification to the dance to be a bit more authentic. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
Before Logan came out, Mark Herman created a stirring video of the tradition from the beginning to the Last Dance which was the perfect entree to Logan. The band started up and all of a sudden there was Logan dancing. I was video taping the entire event, so it was hard to tape and take in all of the excitement of the moment.
Logan did an incredible job. We were all proud and afterward, all the former chiefs went down to the dressing room to take the picture you see above. To see it in 360 degrees, click here. It is such a cool photo. I am also featuring photos in my album taken by my friend Dirk Vanover at the event. Thank you for those.
So...as soon as it started, it was over, but you could tell there was a hunger for more. I don't know what the next step is in this new tradition, but I know that this tradition was started by students and it will be continued by students. The "next dance" was a success and I look forward to seeing what's next.
Thanks to Roberto Martell, Roger Huddleston, Howie Wakeland, Chapin Rose, Julie Herman, Jean Edwards, David Dorris (as a citizen and Illini fan), and Paul Schmidt (as a citizen and Illini fan) and so many others who were driving forces in making the event successful.
Go Illini! More photos and video to come!
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