Illiana Lifestyle Fall 2022 | Page 23

ILLIANA MAGAZINE — FALL 2022 23
we can get our typical spot so that everyone can find us .’’
That ’ s where the TVs come in handy .
According to Griffin , one of them is reserved for European soccer matches from 7 a . m . until the first college football game kicks off at 11 a . m .
Draper and Stutsman have a satellite dish attached to the trailer .
“ That ’ s one of the biggest things we check the day before the game ,’’ Stutsman said . “ We have to make sure the technology is working and with our DirecTV , we can really get any channel through one of the TVs .’’
Griffin said they also use Roku through someone ’ s phone and their truck has the radio tuned to Saturday Morning Sports Talk on WDAN-AM 1490 from 8 a . m . to 10 a . m . every Saturday .
“ We have a little bit of everything for everyone ,’’ Griffin said .
And that sometimes includes a trip to a golf course , like they did before the Illinois at Indiana game on Sept . 2 in Bloomington , Ind .
“ We ’ ve played golf on the way to Nebraska last year , we played at Purdue and this year , we played at the new golf course at Indiana ,’’ Griffin said . “ We actually had some guys from Indianapolis that graduated from Danville come down and join us .’’
One tradition that the Griffins started has become a priority for the
The Illini Cheerleaders , including Oakwood graduate Haven Harrison , walk ahead of the team during the Illini Walk through Grange Grove before the game with Wyoming on Aug . 27 . Photo by Deb Edwards / Commercial-News
whole group .
“ We always go over to Grange Grove to greet the players as they walk into the stadium ,’’ Stutsman said . “ Honestly , it ’ s something that I never thought about doing but Chris ( Griffin ) goes over to see Caleb . There are a lot of fans there to see the band , the cheerleaders and the players get off the buses and walk into the stadium .
“ That ’ s something I think I will do every Saturday , from now on .’’
It ’ s all part of the tailgating experience on Saturdays in America .
Illinois football players Sydney Brown , right , and Chase Brown , center , along with defensive coordinator Ryan Walters , left , interact with their fans during the “ Grange Grove Walk ” prior to their game against Wyoming on Aug . 27 . Photo by Deb Edwards / Commercial-News

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