The air is cold with a sudden snap of autumn, and Green Street is bustling with its usual groups of students, today joined by their dads. Murphy’s has begun to attract its customary crowd this Friday evening, popular as ever among Illinois students and their families.

Family members exchange cheery laughs and heartfelt hugs as they meet up with each other and take pictures in front of Alma Mater. Other dad-student duos walk around the Main Quad, some of them holding warm cups of coffee to warm up and stave off the chilly air.

James Strong Jr., junior in Engineering, was showing his dad around the Bardeen Quadrangle. 

“I’m going to show him around campus and we’re going to go to the bookstore, then go out to dinner,” Strong said. 

Strong and his dad shared they were looking forward to the football game this weekend the most.

Izzy Sauer, senior in LAS, walked around Main Quad with her brother and dad. 

“We’re going to get Canes right now because they’ve never been to the new one on Green Street,” Izzy Sauer said. 

They also shared their excitement for the football game tomorrow and the tailgate they would have leading up to the early game.

“We don’t get to see her all the time,“ Izzy Sauer’s dad, Mike Sauer, said. “I’m assuming tomorrow night, after a few caps, I’ll be crying,” Mike Sauer added with a laugh.

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As night falls and temperatures continue to drop, the number of dads on campus remains unwavering. Many students and their dads can be seen enjoying the cold night, roaming around campus.

For some dads, it’s their first time visiting campus. Dhara Pai, second-year grad student studying public health, was showing her dad around campus since it was his first visit here to Champaign-Urbana.

“The vibes are very cool,” Pai said. “He’s never been to Champaign since he is visiting from India and I’m very excited that he’s here”

Green Street is particularly busy as many students walk around, looking for a spot to take their dads to eat.

Heather Conti, senior in Media, just left the bar with her parents and was heading down Green Street to grab a bite.

“We just left Red Lion, and we are now heading to Burrito King to grab some food,” Conti said. “We then plan on going to Kams after.”

Conti also mentioned her plans with her dad for tomorrow as well.

“We are going to go to the football game and we are planning on tailgating as well,” Conti said. “We love this school… I-L-L.”

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