Sports Blog: Celebrating Game Day the Right Way

Football season is a time of tradition. From celebrating with friends, to eating tasty treats, many students have different traditions that make the games special to them. Here are some ideas for things you can do while watching our Fighting Illini.
 

Wear Your Colors: 
 
Many Illini fans love to celebrate game days by wearing blue and orange, even if they aren’t watching the game.
 
Junior Andi Freberg said, “I love how there is so much spirit and pride on game days. The streets are filled with orange and blue. Sometimes I don’t even watch the games, but because everyone is so dressed up, it makes me want to show my school spirit too.”
 
A lot of times students wear their jerseys around campus the weekend or day of the big game. Even if you don’t have anything with an Illinois trademark on it, wearing blue and orange the day of the game is still a great way to take part in the tradition.
 
Go to a bar:
 
The bars on campus usually feature game day specials and open early on game days. Joe’s on Saturdays offers half price burgers, while Kam’s offers $1 Bud Bottles and $4 Bud Pitchers. Whether you go to the bar to actually watch the game or have a few drinks, you are most likely going to be surrounded by fellow Illini fans. At places like Murphy’s and Legends, there is great seating and nice TV’s to watch the game.  
 
Tailgate:
 
Many students love to tailgate before games.
 
According to senior Christie Kidston, “Tailgating is one of my favorite things to do on game days. I love when my whole family gets together and we socialize with other people around us. It’s really easy to make friends with the other people while tailgating.”
 
Tailgating is often popular before game days, but many people also continue the tailgate throughout the game. Some fun tailgate ideas include: beer pong, ladder golf, and corn hole. All of the above are pretty popular on the U of I campus.
 
Host a party:
 
Another fun and easy way to celebrate is to host a game day party. One of my favorite things to do when hosting an Illini game day party is make food for the guests and to decorate the apartment with orange and blue. Whether it’s streamers or a banner, I think it brings good luck to the team.
 

Play your own game of football:
 
Some fans will either watch the game and play football afterwards, or just play football while the game is on.
 
“My buddies and I love to just play football after the games,” said sophomore Connor Feeney, “The games put us in a good spirit and makes us want to get out there and play some football on our own.”
 
Make/ eat some traditional food:
 
Illini game days are a time when students often eat or make some of their favorite game day foods. These include: buffalo wings, chili, burgers, cheese fries and nachos.
 
Senior Jack Frost said, “I love Chili. We would always eat it on game day growing up, and it’s a great comfort food for me when it starts getting colder outside.”
 
Whether you are looking for chili, burgers or wings, there are many places on campus to get these foods including Firehaus, the Clybourne, Joe’s or Murphy’s.  
 
If you would like a home cooked feast, then here are a couple of recipes for two of my favorite game day snacks:
 
My mom’s chili:

This chili has been in my family for over 30 years. It’s spicy, but also has a nice consistency and taste. This is the perfect game day food.
 
Ingredients:
 
1-tablespoon olive oil
1 pound of ground beef
1 cup of chopped onion
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 10 oz. can pinto beans
1 10 oz. can kidney beans
1 10 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 packet lawry’s chili seasoning mix (or whatever chili seasoning mix you like)
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup Monterey jack cheese
1-cup sour cream
 
 
Directions:
 
1.     Brown the ground beef over medium heat using the olive oil. Add the onions, pepper, and garlic and sauté until lightly browned.
2.     Add the seasoning mix to the beef mixture, along with the both kidney and pinto beans, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes.
3.     Bring this mixture to a boil, and then cover. Reduce the heat and let the chili simmer for about 15 minutes.
4.     Garnish with the cheese and sour cream on top of the chili.
 
Note: there are tons of different spices you can use to kick up your chili (cumin, cilantro, chili powder, etc.).
 
Game Day Nachos:
 
These nachos are simple to make and are so good! They are great to munch on when watching the game.
 
Ingredients:
 
1 large bag corn tortilla chips (whichever kind you prefer)
1 pound of ground beef
1 small can refried beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 can salsa (whichever you prefer)
1 pound of favorite type of cheese (I like half cheddar/ Monterey Jack)
¾ cup sour cream
¾ cup guacamole
 
Directions:
 
1.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2.     Brown the beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until lightly cooked.
3.     In a large pan, spread out the chips. Spread the refried beans evenly on top of the chips. Afterwards, spread the beef and onion mixture on top.
4.     Add half of the cheese on top of the chips. Continue layering with the rest of the ingredients. Top with the rest of the cheese.
5.     Place in the oven until the cheese has just melted. Serve while hot!
 
Whether you are hosting a party, going to a party or heading to a bar to watch the game, it’s easy to celebrate game day. With good friends, good food and great entertainment, Illini games are not to be missed. 

All Photos – Google Images