Freshmen and transfer students spilled around the block surrounding Memorial Stadium as they waited to enter the gates of Grange Grove for Illinois Sights & Sounds on Thursday.
Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) greeted new students at the gates with free Illini t-shirts and enough school spirit to go around. Incoming students put on their orange t-shirts as they chatted and found seats in Memorial Stadium.
“I’m really glad I’m getting here early because I get a headstart on seeing people,” said Lucas Ciocan, freshman in Engineering. “I already met some people to play sports with.”
Music blared as new and returning students danced and celebrated the beginning of the school year. Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball coach, Brad Underwood, gave an enthusiastic welcome speech as he initiated the first chant.
Upon hearing his “I-L-L!” the crowd eagerly responded with a booming “I-N-I!” kickstarting the Welcome Week event.
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Illinois Sights & Sounds is run and operated by SAA every year for new students. According to the SAA website, the event “hosts the incoming freshman and transfer students under the lights at Memorial Stadium and introduces them to Illinois traditions and instills a sense of pride and loyalty in the University.”
Senior in the College of Media, Emilio Reyes, reflected on his first time at Sights & Sounds as a freshman compared to being on the other side welcoming the new class now.
“I really wanted to be a part of SAA because of Sights & Sounds,” Reyes said. “I love doing it every single year. I remember being a freshman walking through these gates myself, so it’s really good being on the other side and finally being that person that others were for me.”
No Comment A Cappella opened the event with three songs, culminating in a four-part arrangement of Oskee-Wow-Wow, one of the University fight songs.
Cheerleaders donned orange and blue pom poms as the Marching Illini debuted their ensemble for the first time this year, moving between formations.
Emcees from SAA taught the new students Illini chants, creating a sense of camaraderie among the filled stands.
“I’m excited to see what they’re going to do for everyone,” said Meg Ciko, a Junior SAA emcee. “They’re the future, and they’re the biggest class we’ve ever had. It’s awesome to see the Illini family growing. It’s really special.”
The University’s class of 2028 is rumored to be one of the largest in history. “It’s crazy,” Ciocan said. “I turned around the corner and didn’t really comprehend how big my class was.”
The energy throughout Memorial Stadium was palpable, and the event ended with an orange and blue fireworks display celebrating the beginning of the new school year.
