Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Ben Miller Head Coach Analyst | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois will feature four throwback helmets, a military appreciation helmet, and its primary Block I helmet throughout the 2024 home schedule at Memorial Stadium, marking the venue's 100th anniversary. The helmet designs span nearly the entire history of the Fighting Illini program, dating back to the 1920s.
The Memorial Stadium Helmet Schedule is as follows:
- **Block I (vs. Eastern Illinois, Aug. 29):** This version has been Illinois' primary helmet since Coach Bielema's arrival in 2021. It features an orange lid with blue and white center stripes and a white facemask.
- **Underlined Illinois (vs. Kansas, Sept. 7):** Versions of these helmets were worn from 1989-2012. A blue stroke was added in 2005 after initially featuring an all-white underlined "Illinois" from 1989-2004. The 2024 helmet will have a white facemask and blue-white-blue center stripes.
- **Arched Illini (vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 14):** These helmets were used from 1971-87 with varying facemasks, helmet stripes, and decal sizes during that period. The current edition will feature gray facemasks and a blue-white-orange-white-blue center stripe cadence.
- **Four Stars (vs. Purdue, Oct. 12):** Worn during Dick Butkus' years at Illinois from 1962-68, these helmets featured players' numbers under four stars with gray facemasks and white-blue-white center stripes.
- **Painted Leather (vs. Michigan, Oct. 19):** Hand-painted to replicate Red Grange era leather helmets for the Memorial Stadium's rededication game against Michigan on Oct. 19 — exactly one day shy of the original dedication game against Michigan on Oct. 18, 1924.
- **Military Appreciation (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 2):** These USA-themed helmets are worn annually for the Military Appreciation Game featuring Stars and Stripes inside of the Block I on each side of the orange helmets.
- **Block I (vs. Michigan State, Nov.16):** Concluding their home schedule with Senior Day and Foundation Weekend celebrations in their primary Block I helmets.
Tickets are available for purchase now.
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