Marriage rosy despite matchup

The Jan. 1, 2008, Rose Bowl game undoubtedly created a competitive ambiance between Fighting Illini and USC Trojan fans. But UI grad Robert David ’81 BUS is married to a Trojan alumna, which made things even more interesting on game day.

“Since being married in 1985,” said Robert, “my wife, Susan, and I have had to “endure” each other’s alumni events. I’ve been to several of her school’s football games and she’s gone to many of mine when Illinois comes out to the West Coast.”

The Davids sat with the contingent of Illinois fans at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, which pleased Robert despite his wife’s allegiance to USC.

“Tough break for her!” joked Robert.

Luckily, the couple’s two daughters split the difference and kept things even: one wore orange and blue; the other donned maroon and gold. 

Illini fan footwear

Using a crutch and wearing a cast for 12 weeks due to foot surgery did not stop Leslie Schroeder (left) from revealing a die-hard Illini spirit – her orange-and-blue cast is proof. Leslie, in fact, seemed to grow fond of her loyal foot apparel. 

“Now that the Illini are going to the Rose Bowl,” said Leslie in December 2007, “I’m kind of wishing I still had it on.”

Orange and blue in Iowa  

Iowa City resident Louise Huffman Mercer ’28 LAS is 101 years old and still maintains her University of Illinois ties as much as she can.

“She’s always cheering for Illinois,” said her daughter Brenda Giddings, who, along with her sister and father, graduated from DePauw University. “She valued her education very much. She and my dad were married during the Depression and instilled in us the importance of saving and even sacrificing for education.”

Following college, Louise worked for many years as a substitute teacher and homemaker, plus volunteered for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Louise has been an avid reader of historical fiction and American history for many years, and she still insists on dressing herself in a classy way each day.

The 1920s were a fun time to be alive, according to Louise. She grew up near Paris, Ill. A train from Urbana-Champaign to Paris made home visits easy, so Louise took advantage of the situation by bringing home her laundry, no different from today’s students.

Stricker strikes an Illini pose

Pro golfer and former Illini Steve Stricker ’90 AHS is known in the Professional Golf Association (PGA) world as an accommodating guy with a nice personality. James W. Asbury ’50 ENG found that out firsthand when the 17-year pro took a moment after putting practice to pose for a photo at the 2007 PGA Championship in Tulsa, Okla.

“Recognizing [that] Steve’s busy and [has an] involved schedule,” said Asbury, “it was a blessing for me to be pictured with him.”

Stricker finished the Tulsa tournament in a tie for 23rd place, and following that, took first place at The Barclays tournament in Harrison, N.Y., Aug. 26.

Loyalty in the rain

A rainy day didn’t stop Beth Koppenhoefer ’92 LAS and her two boys, Jeff, 7, and Paul, 5, from having a good time at the Sept. 8 Illinois-Western Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium. The Koppenhoefer crew from Columbus purchased ponchos, tailgated in the rain and gutted it out until halftime in the stadium. “When the video board announced that we should ‘catch Illini fever,’” said Beth, “Paul said, ‘Mom, you already have that!’”

‘Give me an I!’

Six-month-old Sophia Jackson (at left) has a long time to go before she can wear a full-sized Illinois cheerleading uniform, but right now she happily dons this one. Her father, Lamar Jackson ’94 AHS, hopes Sophia will one day be in the stands of Memorial Stadium.

“For now,” he said, “she spends her Saturdays helping me cheer on the Illini gridiron gang.”

It was Sophia’s eight-year-old sister, Maia, who took the pompom-laden photograph. The girls’ mother, Amy, a graduate of UNLV, supervised the shoot.

Orange fever family

The Meek family and Grandma and Grandpa Fazzini loyally wore their Illini orange and posed for a photo before heading to the Braggin’ Rights football game between Illinois and Missouri Sept. 1. En route to St. Louis, the group made a detour to visit the Illini Union Bookstore, where more Illini gear was purchased for the three grandchildren. Grandma Gayle has hopes that each child will one day become a “future Illini.”

From left, John Fazzini; Gayle McCullough Fazzini ’69 LAS; Douglas Meek ’94 ACES, MD ’99 (UIC); Katie Meek; Ryan Meek; Hannah Meek; Elizabeth Spencer Meek ’94 LAS, BSN ’98 NURS.

Future Marching Illini?

Some parents dream of their child becoming a college athlete. Eric ’89 ENG and Kristina Daily Hoerner ’88 LAS, AM ’90 LAS, MS ’94 LIS, parents of four-month-old Isabella (at left) and former Marching Illini band members, dream of something else.

“Eric and I are huge fans of the MI [Marching Illini],” said Kristina. “Being a part of the band were huge experiences for both of us and where we had our best college memories. Both of our fathers were trumpet players, so we hope Isabella will continue the tradition.”

It looks like Isabella possesses the instrument and genes to make a fine future member of the marching band her parents were once a part of.

UI eight is great

All eight children of Edward and Catherine Casey are proud alumni of the University of Illinois, and here they are, gathered together at a summer family reunion. From left to right: (front row) Therese Armstead ‘82 BUS, Elizabeth Donathan BMUS ’95 FAA, Frances Flood ’85 LAS, Mary Lamb ’81 COM; (back row) Jim ’80 ENG, MS ’81 ENG, Paul ’88 LAS, Tom ’86 ENG, Joe ’98 LAS. The Caseys grew up in Springfield, Ill., and now live in various cities in Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Texas, with 20 children among them.

Former Illini fencing coach honored with tree

Former Illini fencing coach Max "Mac" Garret, MS ’42 ED, returned to campus in April 2007 to present the Maxwell R. Garret Scholarship, which goes toward outstanding student-athletes who participate in the varsity wheelchair sports program of the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services within the College of Applied Health Sciences. The scholarship was originally created in 1965 to support the men’s fencing team, which ceased to exist after 1993. Coach Garret established a nationally recognized fencing program at Illinois, winning 16 Big Ten titles and two NCAA championships. While on campus, Garret celebrated his 90th birthday and was honored with a tree planted in his name near the southwest corner of Huff Hall, where the fencing team used to practice and have meets. Garret and his wife, Diana, reside in Florida and are seen here next to the newly dedicated tree.