As Saturday’s rollercoaster of a football game was reaching its end, I began to worry about more than just an Illini loss. If the Gophers upset Zook’s crew, would enough people stick around for the “World’s Biggest Basketball Practice” that followed?

Logic told me that a thrilling comeback win would generate a party-like atmosphere and a majority of fans would stay for the ensuing basketball gala. On the other hand, a disappointing loss might suck the school spirit right out of the crowd.

As I expected, Minnesota’s victory flushed a good number of Fighting Illini fans out of Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. And I don’t blame them. It’s difficult to maintain an emotional high after a Homecoming loss and with unseasonable heat beating down on the current student body and alumni. During the football game, I witnessed two emergency crews tend to people who had passed out.

Most of the Orange and Blue faithful who did stay to watch the men’s and women’s basketball teams were in the south end zone. Unfortunately, most of the other sections and Block I cleared out faster than you can say “Zook Zone.”

But it was encouraging to see the enthusiasm from those who remained in attendance. I was even able to hear a few “I-L-L-I-N-I” chants.

Not enough can be said about the teamwork and collaborative efforts by basketball and football, though. As a fan of both sports, I greatly appreciated the supportive words directed toward the football team by both women’s basketball head coach Jolette Law and men’s head coach Bruce Weber after the game. Both told the crowd how important it was for us to keep supporting the football team after such a heartbreaking loss.

It’s important for collegiate sports to assist and promote each other, rather than compete for popularity. I think it’s a good thing for one successful program to better another. That’s the path Illinois athletics has recently been taking.

It was only three years ago that Weber’s basketball team reached the NCAA championship game. Meanwhile, up until last season’s Rose Bowl run, the football team finished 3-8 (in 2004), 2-9 (2005) and 2-10 (2006). It’s safe to say that the men’s basketball team’s success played a role in Illini athletics’ popularity and recruiting for many years.

Maybe the football team can return the favor.

I’m not saying that if one sport does well, then the others will reach the same levels. But it certainly helps.

Before entering Memorial Stadium, I saw Demetri McCamey and Richard Semrau, among others, tossing Zook Zone towels to fans entering the game. It was refreshing to see members of the basketball team joking around and laughing while doling out the paraphernalia in an effort to pump up the fans.

After all, we are at the University of Illinois. It doesn’t matter which sport you’re a part of, you do it out of passion and love for the sport and for your school. Those feelings were definitely on display Saturday afternoon.

Now if those feelings could translate into wins.

Ryan Dixon is a senior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]