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Top of the Morning, Sept. 2, 2017 Sat, 09/02/2017 - 6:00am | Jim Rossow Photo by: The News-Gazette Mike Pearson's popular feature "Illini Legends, Lists & Lore" debuted in these pages on Aug. 18, 1996 (right). "When I was living in C-U, I clipped 'em every Sunday," said Pearson, the former UI sports information director who now lives in Oxford, Ohio. Pearson, 66, will return to town Sept. 28-30 in conjunction with the release of the third edition of his book, "Illini Legends, Lists & Lore." Last updated in 2002, its 472 pages include more than 1,000 photos, names of every Illini letter winner — "between 10,000 and 12,000," he said — and, of course, birthdays. Lots of birthdays. "I get requests all the time," Pearson said. "People love to see their name in print." There are 15 new chapters in the latest "Illini Legends, Lists & Lore" (University of Illinois Press) and a noticeable spotlight on women's athletics (two pages per school year starting in 1974-75). Pearson said there will be a fourth edition. I asked to predict the lead story: DATELINE: St. Louis. April 2021 Led by his senior class of Mark Smith, Trent Frazier, Matic Vesel, D'Monte Williams and Greg Eboigbodin, coach Brad Underwood's Fighting Illini buried an NCAA championship-game-record 25 three-pointers, each scored within a seven-second possession, to defeat North Carolina, 75-58. Illinois' first-ever national title came against a Tar Heel team that was playing in its first Final Four since coming off a lengthy NCAA probation. Throughout the game, an ear-deafening war chant from Illini fans spurred on the Orange and Blue. Sign here Mike Pearson's scheduled "Illini Legends, Lists & Lore" book signings: Sept. 28: Quarterback Club, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 29: Illini Union Bookstore, TBA Sept. 30: State Farm Center, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 30: Champaign's Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m.
Listen Live to Our Weekly Conversations with Stevie Jay Our weekly visits with ESPN Radio 93.5-FM in Champaign-Urbana begin Friday (Aug. 25) at 8:35 a.m. CT. We’ll be talking every Friday with host Stevie Jay of T Stevie Jay Morning Show about Fighting Illini athletics history and the third edition of our new book, Illini Legends, Lists & Lore. You don’t have to be located in East Central Illinois to listen to the show on WSJK Radio. Tune into the streaming broadcast via the station’s website: www.ESPNCU or watch Stevie Jay’s broadcasts LIVE on YouTube. We’ll include weekly segments of our conversations with Stevie Jay on this page. Stevie Jay Broadcasting owns and operates, All the Hits, Q96, WGKC US1059-FM, ESPN Radio 93.5-FM and Christian FM 95.3-FM.
What They’re Saying about Illini Legends, Lists & Lore "Mike Pearson's book is one that every Illini should have on their shelf. It's a book that you can turn to any page and learn something you never knew." -- Dana Howard, 1994 Butkus Award winner "Mike Pearson’s anthology reminds me of what an honor it is to have represented the University of Illinois in the athletic arena. Every time I pick up my copy, I discover another golden nugget from some moment in the storied Illini history and I’m humbled to be one character in a well-documented narrative spanning 130 years. The legends, lists and lore bring depth and color to the rich heritage found in every sport on campus and each page invites me to celebrate the athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, fans and community members who make up this diverse multi-generational family known as the Fighting Illini." --Nancy Thies Marshall, 1972 Olympian "Mike Pearson's Illini Legends, Lists and Lore is a great addition to the library of every Fighting Illini alum and fan alike. Mike's insight and attention to detail is unparalleled. A true Illini historic treasure!" --Deon Thomas, Illinois basketball's all-time leading scorer "Only Mike Pearson, with his background and love for the university, could have imparted such depth and detail to the Illini story. It offers great insights beginning in the nineteenth century, and carrying through George Huff and Avery Brundage to the modern era with accompanying references to the university and the nation. Just a fantastic book." --Loren Tate, The News-Gazette
Illini Legends, Lists & Lore A fact-filled salute to over 130 years of athletic triumph Updated and illustrated with more than 900 photos, the third edition of Illini Legends, Lists, and Lore chronicles the history of University of Illinois varsity athletics since its recognized beginnings in 1883. Red Grange and Tonja Buford, George Huff and the Flying Illini--Mike Pearson takes readers on a year-by-year journey, encapsulating the great events and transcendent athletes, heroes, coaches, administrators, and venues that make up Illini sports history. This new edition also includes expanded information on women's athletics and a new section on the university's athletes with disabilities. Finally, Pearson once again provides a revised treasure trove of statistics sure to settle old arguments and spark new debates. Published as part of the university's sesquicentennial celebration, Illini Legends, Lists, and Lore puts orange and blue fans in the front row for over 130 years of sports thrills and human drama.