How fans can celebrate the rededication game

With any luck, the matchup between No. 22 Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) and visiting No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) will be the reason a college football fan It takes come to Champaign’s Memorial Stadium or just tune in on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS).

But in this case, the Illini are leaving nothing to chance. To mark the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium’s dedication, Illinois will mark the occasion with a rededication that goes far beyond the usual college football offering. A long weekend of celebrations actually begins on Thursday with a symposium looking back on the legend of Red Grange, but if you can only take a break for match day, here’s what awaits you when you arrive:

Towel giveaway

The first 10,000 visitors to enter the gates of Memorial Stadium on Saturday will receive a free rally towel, sponsored by Toyota. Like “Oprah,” but instead of a Corolla, there’s the next best thing: free terry cloth!

Game program

Saturday’s game program will be a replica of the original graphics of the 1924 game program. This is awesome. Pick up a copy for free in the East or West Concourses of Memorial Stadium, while supplies last. (One per fan, you savages.)

Retro uniforms

You are already prepared. Wait, didn’t you? Look at her.

Game ball presentation

Whether you’re a fan of Illini nostalgia, fighter jets, or just super loud noises, make sure you’re at your seat early (by 2 p.m.). Approximately a half hour before kickoff, athletic director and former Illini tight end Josh Whitman will lead a game ball presentation featuring some of your favorite Illinois athletics alumni.

And then…

Stadium overpass

Following the playing of the national anthem, the United States Navy will conduct a skillfully coordinated flypast over Memorial Stadium. Take notes, Luke Altmyer.

Air raid siren

Illinois brought home game icons like celebrity DJs this season to get the crowd pumped up. This week’s guest: former Illini and NFL running back and current Big Ten Network analyst Howard Griffith, who set the NCAA record with eight touchdowns in a single game at Memorial Stadium in 1990.

Mid-term meeting

All former Illinois football players in attendance will line the field at halftime to be honored. Drive past Bengay.

Marching Illini performance

Interestingly, the Marching Illini will have a performance at halftime that will include family members of some of the people who helped build Illinois athletics, including former athletic director George Huff, football coach Robert Zuppke and, of course, Red Grange.

Incredibly fast 77 yard dash

We’re still dealing with this topic, but The Freaky Fast 77 Yard Dash (presented by Jimmy John’s, of course) jumps into gear between the third and fourth quarters. The idea: A student from Illinois will run a Red Grange race at Zuppke Field for a chance to win free Jimmy John’s for a year. Fans will be able to interact and take photos with Red Grange at Grange Grove on match days starting three hours before kick-off. We’re assuming this is all news for Red Grange.

100th anniversary museum

A free pop-up museum will be open to visitors in the venue’s Great West Hall, featuring images and artifacts from Memorial Stadium’s historic highlights.

Tell them Red sent you.

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