PASADENA, Calif. – Instead of classes and finals during game week, the Illini football team is now dealing with Disneyland and Universal Studios.

The team’s trip to the Rose Bowl game has come with a lot of extra curricular activities that are taking the place of class and studying for the student-athletes.

“I’m 22-years old but I still had a good time at Disneyland,” senior defensive tackle Chris Norwell said. “There’s a lot better stuff to do, but we came out here a week early to get (all of the distractions) out of our system.”

Among the adjustments that the team is making with their new surroundings is dealing with weather and the new facilities. After practicing primarily indoors at the Irwin Indoor Football Facility in Champaign before leaving for Pasadena, the team is now practicing at the Home Depot Center in Los Angles and has been adjusting to the much favorable California climate.

“I’d say (my favorite part of being here) is the weather,” senior safety Kevin Mitchell said. “Especially with the fact that it’s snowing at home, it’s really cold out there. The weather and the overall atmosphere are great.”

All of the added activity is taking an understandable toll. With the players shuttling to and from practices, media meetings and unofficial competitive eating contests like the Beef Bowl, fatigue has set in.

“Going to all of the events is OK, but tiring,” Mitchell said. “Especially walking around all day, it takes its toll on you. At the same time, it’s a great environment and we’re soaking it all in.”

From the coaches stand point, things are a little different from the players being thrust into all of the extra goings-on. Rather than being directly involved in the events, the coaches are trying to make sure that all things strategy-wise are still going to be inline for the team.

“It’s everything you hear about, there are a ton of distractions, it’s just not a typical game week,” co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch said. “The distractions are all good and fun, the kids are having a great time. But you’ve got to mix the preparation, the film study, going to practice everyday with what you do at bowls, which is going to functions and meeting people – you just have to be sure to balance it out.”

Although some players are working harder to make sure that they are ready for the Tournament of Roses, some are getting help from others. Junior linebacker Brit Miller was presented with a faux-USC offensive playbook by a television reporter as a joke to help him ‘study’ and get a jump on the Trojans offense.

“This is problem,” Miller said. “Some times when you get all the answers and you study so much, you end up falling asleep before the test. I like going out there and just reacting.”

Miller was told that Leman was offered the playbook as well, but being the stand-up individual that he is, turned it down.

“Really,” Miller said. “What a great guy.”

Miller was happy with the playbook, but at the same time knew that he might be taking advantage of the system.

“Thank you for corrupting my morals,” he said.

So while the players are enjoying the lighter side of the game for the time being, the team is ready for things to turn back to football completely.

“The kids are ready to get locked into the game,” Disch said. “These next couple days will be 24/7 football.”

Daniel Johnson is a junior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected] .