Loyal Fans And All That Jazz

Ever so true. At top, Roger Powell, recently released from the Utah Jazz, signs autographs for Indiana Illini. He was in Indianapolis on Dec. 17 for an NBA match-up between the Jazz and the Pacers. Above, from left, Powell and Jazz teammates Deron Williams and Dee Brown are backed – literally – in Charlotte, N.C., by members of the Charlotte Illini Club before a Dec. 22 Jazz-Bobcats game.

Their style of play was flashy, captivating younger generations and garnering the nickname “The Smilin’ Illini.” They set fashion trends (that orange headband) and stylish behavior (the pop of the jersey) that still linger in college basketball today.

They took the Big Ten by storm in the 2004-05 season, losing only once in the regular season, to lead the Illini to the Final Four and its first national championship appearance. Though they’ve now taken their game to the National Basketball League’s Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, Illini fans still flock to their games.

The Final Four run passed two years ago, but Dee Brown ’05 AHS and Deron Williams ’05, both former guards for Illinois, are still feeling the effects.

“One of the great things about road trips is meeting with the Illini alumni clubs,” Brown said via a player webblog on the Jazz Web site. “We’ve got some big-time fans, and coming from Illinois, there’s so much support and so much love. It’s always good to see, and it makes my day.”

From Indianapolis, where more than 130 Illinois fans attended when the Jazz played the Pacers; to New York, where more than 65 fans were decked out in team colors for the game with the Knicks; to Washington, where nearly 70 UI alumni watched them take on the Wizards, NBA venues all other the country are seeing a little bit more orange and blue than usual.

“I was actually on a five-game East Coast road trip before Christmas, and every game, Illinois fans showed up,” said Jonathan Rinehart, communications manager for the Jazz. “We could hear fans cheering for us at every one of those arenas, and we were on the road. It’s really nothing I’ve seen from fans of other schools or alumni groups from other groups. Going on the road is always a tough environment, and it’s always nice to have some support. It means so much to have some fans in a hostile environment.”
Perhaps Brown and Williams’ popularity was a result of what they were able to accomplish during their four years with the Illini, when the team compiled a 114-23 overall record and a 50-13 record in the Big Ten, won two conference titles and reached the NCAA Tournament every season.

“These are three really great guys that excited a lot of Illini fans all over the nation,” said Cara Augspurger ’98 ACES, EDM ’02, president of the Indianapolis Illini Club. “Obviously the 2004-05 season was just tremendous, and they’re like celebrities to us. It was really neat to see them up close and in person.”

Maybe, though, it’s because of Brown and Williams’ character.

“Dee Brown exudes personality and charisma,” said Rinehart. “He always has a smile on his face. Deron was not in the spotlight as much as Dee was, but he’s still a charismatic guy. I know both of those guys really embrace their Illini ties, and they certainly appreciate the fans coming out and cheering them on.”

And apparently, success and big contracts haven’t tainted those personalities. At each game attended by an Illini club, Williams and Brown have been there to sign autographs and take pictures with alumni before the game.

“We were all shocked,” Augspurger said. “They told us that we might be able to watch warm-ups. We had no idea just how friendly they would act toward us. They just walked up to us and signed autographs and took pictures – it was just really amazing. They’re so down-to-earth and so kind that we all just want to show them support in the NBA.”

Augspurger is one of many Illini club presidents across the nation to organize events and attend Utah Jazz games when the team plays locally. In fact, so many Illini clubs have contacted the Jazz that Rinehart is quite impressed.

“It’s amazing how many Illinois alumni are around the country and have showed up to support them at the games,” he said. “It’s unlike anything I’ve seen with any other players and their alma maters.”

– Troy Murray