Fighting Illini

The Illinois Athletic Department is a major program here at the university that oversees the entire athletic body, including all of the varsity sports. The Fighting Illini athletic program is known as one of the most accomplished programs not only in the Big Ten, but also in the country. The program consists of 21 different varsity sports available for both men and women. Of these 21 sports, included are the major sports like basketball, baseball, and football for men, and volleyball, softball, and soccer for women.

The University of Illinois was established in 1867 and the first recorded national championship belonging to the university’s athletic program dates back to 1900. With a long history of tremendous success and achievements, the Fighting Illini athletic program continuously strives to maintain their outstanding character and reputation. To demonstrate the programs intentions, a mission statement exists to allow people to see what qualities power the department’s progression; “To have the highest quality athletic program in all sports that allows the University of Illinois teams to compete for championships in the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.”

At the forefront of the program lies the administration headed by the Director of Athletics, Ron Guenther, and Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Terry Cole. However, these positions would not be reasonable to obtain by a college student still attending the university, or even a young male or female newly graduated with a degree. Therefore, there are positions available for those who are not fortunate enough to be a student-athlete and play for the varsity teams. Team managers and equipment managers are a few examples of potential student jobs. Also, students can also work at the facilities as receptionists and as planners and organizers. If interested in these jobs, applications, emailing, or simply meeting with department staff can be a potential way to obtain a job in the program.

I was able to interview a friend who is one of the managers for the football team. When I asked him why he would want to work as a team manager, he responded, saying “People work as managers because they like the sport and they enjoy being around the sport each and every day. Also, it is a great way to network for the future and to meet new friends for the present.” This is very understandable because sports must be an enjoyment and a passion, not only for the managers, but also for anyone who works within the athletic department. Next, when I asked whether he considered working as a manager as leisure, work, or fun, he said “All of them. I view it as work because it’s my job and I get paid for it. But it is also leisure because I enjoy being with my friends and joking around with them at work. That being said, it’s impossible for it not to be fun. Once in a while we get to throw around and play catch.”

In recent years, the athletic program has begun focusing its efforts on the fans of the sports teams they are so used to concentrating their work on. New efforts have been made to accommodate the students who are true Illini fans. At football, basketball, and other sporting events, there are student sections for the students to come and pack the stands and cheer on their team. Also, the creation of the Orange Krush section at basketball games has allowed the die-hard Illini fans to be a part of a group of fellow student fans who share their passions. Not to mention that the department provides all the necessary resources for the athletic teams to win and become as successful as possible.

This particular agencies definition of leisure would most likely outline the topics of enjoyment and hobby. Although they may be working, the members of this department work in it because of the strong passion they have for the field they encounter every day. For someone who enjoys either watching or playing sports, working in that field would be a dream and a privilege. There is no single definition for leisure in this agency; however, they tend to focus their attention to making the viewing of the sports enjoyable for the fans and the playing of the sports enjoyable and successful for the athletes and staff.

Synopsis: Overall this experience was very enjoyable. I’m a fan of all sports and find them entertaining, as well as educating and influential. It was a pleasure to research one of the top athletic programs in the country. There are so many aspects of the program that can be considered elite that it is hard to come up wit cons. However, a potential con would be the enormity of the department. Since it is so large, some of the smaller programs and sports may be overshadowed by the larger sports like football and basketball. But yet, these sports still manage to thrive and succeed. For myself, sport is a major component of leisure in my life so this department could not have been more appropriate for me to research.

- Mike Goldberg, goldbe12