Book Description
A Century of Orange and Blue is just that—an in-depth look at the history of one of the Big Ten's premiere basketball programs. The University of Illinois' basketball roots date back to 1901, when the idea of men's basketball was introduced to UI director of athletics George Huff during a scrimmage at the Men's Old Gym. By 1906 a varsity basketball team was in place under the direction of Leo Hana and coach Elwood Brown. That team defeated Champaign High School, 71-4, on Jan. 6, 1906, before losing to more formidable college teams in Purdue and Indiana. Some 100 years later, the Fighting Illini have hoisted 15 Big Ten championship banners and sent four teams to the Final Four in search of a NCAA championship. From the Whiz Kids of '42 to the Flyin’ Illini of '89 to the Big Ten champs of '04, A Century of Orange and Blue is full of fond memories of fantastic teams, recounted by authors Loren Tate and Jared Gelfond and the amazing players and coaches that put Illini basketball on the national map.
About the Author
Loren Tate has covered the Fighting Illini basketball program for decades. He’s been on hand for nearly 60 years of Illini hoops from his days as a young fan in the '40s to his time spent with the team as a walk-on squad member in the early '50s to his tenures as sports director at WICD-TV, sports editor of The News-Gazette, and radio broadcaster for Illini games on WDWS. Loren Tate's name is synonymous with the pulse of Fighting Illini athletics. Tate is married to Alexis Tate, and their son, Travis, is a sophomore at the University of Illinois. Tate also has three daughters—Kathy Meyer, Lori Simon, and Melinda Burden—and three granddaughters. This is his first book. Jared Gelfond is a Pomona, NY native and a 2002 Broadcast Journalism graduate of the University of Illinois. While an undergraduate, he served as the chairman of the Orange Krush, President of Illini Pride, and co-founded a student recruiting organization for the Illinois Men's Basketball program. Upon graduation, he was employed as a producer at WFAN Radio (Sports Radio 660) in New York, NY. At present, Jared is pursuing a Masters degree in Sport Management and working as a Graduate Assistant for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. This is his first book.
A Century of Orange and Blue: Celebrating 100 Years of Illini Basketball SYNOPSIS
A Century of Orange and Blue is just that-an in-depth look at the history of one of the Big Ten's premiere basketball programs. The University of Illinois' basketball roots date back to 1901, when the idea of men's basketball was introduced to UI director of athletics George Huff during a scrimmage at the Men's Old Gym. By 1906 a varsity basketball team was in place under the direction of Leo Hana and coach Elwood Brown. That team defeated Champaign High School, 71-4, on Jan. 6, 1906, before losing to more formidable college teams in Purdue and Indiana.
Some 100 years later, the Fighting Illini have hoisted 15 Big Ten championship banners and sent four teams to the Final Four in search of a NCAA championship. From the Whiz Kids of '42 to the Flyin' Illini of '89 to the Big Ten champs of '04, A Century of Orange and Blue is full of fond memories of fantastic teams, recounted by authors Loren Tate and Jared Gelfond and the amazing players and coaches that put Illini basketball on the national map.
Art & Photography
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