I try not to live in the past. 

     You know the deal - keep up to date.  Be cool.  Think 2008 and beyond.   Not 1950.

     It works most of the time.  But, not when Homecoming rolls around.

     Homecoming to many means meeting old friends, making new friends, visiting favorite campus spots, tailgate some, watch the parade, attend the pep-rally, watch the new Illini under Ron Zook, and bask in the glow of a beautiful central Illinois Fall weekend.

     I buy all that - and will do some of it this weekend - at Homecoming - on the campus where Homecoming originated.

     But, I know what will happen.  It happens every Homecoming.  I'll begin thinking about Ray Eliot.  In fact, it's already started.

     Ray always had his team ready to play on Homecoming.  Didn't matter if it was Michigan or Michigan State or Ohio State - didn't matter if they were ranked #1 in the nation - if you were playing Ray Eliot's Illini on Homecoming at Memorial Stadium - watch out!!!

     Eliot coached at Illinois for18 years.  His record was a modest 83-73-11.  But his teams won Big 10 championships in 1946, 1951, and 1953 - plus Rose Bowl titles in 1947 and 1952.

     His speech, "The Proper State of Mind," was recorded and has been enjoyed by followers of football worldwide.   The words were just words until Ray magically delivered them .

     I don't know what Ray talked about - what words he used - before Homecoming games and at halftime - but the guys in orange and blue knocked down doors to win for him.  

     To paraphrase:  "We are not wolves, we are not buckeyes, we are not wildcats, we are not GOPHERS - we are the Fighting Illini."

    I remember that, Ray - just as I remember you - on this Homecoming 2008.