While everyone knows about attending football and men’s basketball games throughout the year, Illinois athletics has much more to offer than just these two notorious sports.

Attending games at Memorial Stadium and the State Farm Center are awesome places to be and provide great entertainment but shouldn’t be the only locales to see sports at Illinois. Joining Illini Pride pays for the extra cost for Block I football tickets and allows for opportunities to see some of the other Illini teams around campus.

The “Stuff Huff” volleyball match at the end of August is a must-attend. It is the first home game of the year for the Illinois volleyball team and draws near-capacity crowds each and every year. With last year’s game attracting over 3,700 fans, Huff Hall has become an electric atmosphere to watch a game. The Illini are just two years removed from being the national runner-up in the NCAA tournament and thus the match becomes a can’t-miss affair.

Another great atmosphere on campus is home games for Illinois hockey. The hockey team is only club-level, but home games on Friday and Saturday nights consistently draw over 1,000 fans to the rink. The team made it to the national quarterfinals in 2013 and brings in some of the toughest competition because the “Big Pond” is a notoriously great environment to see a game. The Illini host all four teams from the Final Four in 2013 through the season in the fall and spring. Adding to the event is the student section of the “Harassing Illini,” who chant insults like “You suck!” at opposing players during introductions or directing barbs at the visiting goaltenders. Let’s just say it fosters some solid team spirit. 

One more “smaller” sport that is overlooked by many is Illinois tennis. Both the men’s and women’s teams play at the Atkins Tennis Center, which was just renovated in 2009. The site hosted the NCAA Championships in 2013, and the women’s team had an All-American doubles pair, Rachael White and Melissa Kopinski.  

There are great games in those big arenas as well. Everyone remembers the epic Illinois comeback against No. 1 Indiana last basketball season, which culminated with a Tyler Griffey buzzer-beater, and fans rushing the court. 

That game was one of three game-winning shots on the season for Illinois with less than five seconds left, and the team had a successful season under first-year head coach John Groce.

With a $160 million renovation plan recently approved, the State Farm Center is due to become one of the best atmospheres to watch Big Ten basketball, especially from the vantage point of the Orange Krush. These student section members have the unique opportunity to have courtside seats, being merely feet away from the court at all times.

Going to sporting events are much more than simply watching sports, they are a great way to meet and connect with new people on campus at places more than just the traditionally attended events.

Stephen is a junior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @steve_bourbon.