Illini legends, lists & lore

On this date in Illini history

University of Illinois President Andrew Sloane Draper asked the student body to officially accept orange and navy blue as colors for the university 115 years ago today. The original color was "Dartmouth Green" and was given to Illinois by its first athletic director, E.K. Hall, an alumnus of Dartmouth. Other memorable highlights on this date in Illini history:

1913 – Illinois lost its first game under coach Bob Zuppke, falling 28-7 to the University of Chicago.

1919 – Ralph Fletcher scored all of the UI's 10 points on a 2-yard touchdown run, an extra point and a 22-yard field goal as Illinois defeated Chicago 10-0 on homecoming.

1921 – The official drive to "Build that Stadium" began, 6 1/2 months after the first student rally.

1924 – Red Grange ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters as undefeated Illinois beat Iowa 36-0 at Memorial Stadium.

1952 – Tommy O'Connell scored two touchdowns to lead Illinois past Michigan 22-13.

1962 – The UI Athletic Board voted unanimously to reappoint Pete Elliott for another season as head football coach.

1976 – George Legg was named executive director of the Varsity I Association.

1980 – Quarterback Dave Wilson threw for 310 yards, but Illinois fell to Minnesota 21-14.

Illini birthdays this week

Today: Charlie Rallo, wrestling (31)

Monday: Archie Sutton, football (67)

Tuesday: Joe Curtis, football (50)

Wednesday: Tom Eddleman, football (55)

Thursday: Aaron Moorehead, football (29)

Friday: Julie Balicki, softball (27)

Saturday: Jim Haslett, fencing (50)

Next Sunday: Stan Wallace

By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore and assistant athletic director at Miami (Ohio)