I ran across some old photographs on my system that not been previously posted. By old I mean 2005, before I started blogging about the team. To put this into historical context, this was the year that Illinois won the Big Ten Championship. It was also Coach Itch Jones’ last year.
These photos actually have a bit of significance. Some of these photos are of the game when Illinois clinched the Big Ten title. Others were of a game at the 2005 Big Tournament here Illinois Field. Wow, I never realized I had these.
These aren’t the best photos in the world. I took these with a pocket point and shoot camera. But certainly, I thought they were worth sharing.
Coach Itch Jones (5/20/05)
Illinois Field (5/20/05)
(5/20/05)
The Illini lost this game Iowa but clinched the title anyway. (5/22/05).
I distinctly remember this game because I had to explain to my kids why the players were cheering when they lost. (5/22/05)
Itch Jones waving a runner around in a loss to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament at Illinois Field (5/27/05)
Shawn Roof hustling (of course) out to his position (was it third base that year?). Big Ten Tournament vs Purdue (5/27/05).
Hard to tell… can anyone make out this pitcher? Big Ten Tournament vs Purdue (5/27/05)
PS I found some 2006 photos, too. I’ll post them in a couple days. Here they are.