Today, the college football world experienced something quite rare. A massive storm front moved into Champaign, Illinois while the Illinois Fighting Illini trailed the Texas State Bobcats 14-6 with 13:35 left to play in the second quarter.
Lightning forced an evacuation of Memorial stadium and delayed the game well over two hours. But that’s not the story here. What makes this specific college football game so unique is what transpired once the storm passed and the stadium re-opened.
These two tweets from the official account of Illinois football announced the once in a lifetime offer:
Just got word that when the gates open back up for the game.. ticket stub or not EVERYONE gets in!! #AskLank #Illini
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 20, 2014
Just to confirm, when we resume play ANYONE and EVERYONE will be allowed in Memorial Stadium. You do not need a ticket. #Freefootball — Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 20, 2014
That’s right, FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL! You did not even need a ticket.
Of course, we must give the reader proper context. The picture at the top of this post, and in the tweet below, convey the issues that Illinois is currently having with attendance.
This is your #Illini football attendance. At an afternoon kickoff. On a perfect 84 degree day. #B1G pic.twitter.com/LIiVxqEw38 — Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) September 20, 2014
Both photos were taken at kickoff when the weather was sunny and pleasant. Also, in an effort to boost sagging attendance, Illinois football offered packages of four tickets for $49 this week.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partners with Fox Sports and Yahoo. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN2