#Illini Big Ten Media Day One Wrap Up
July 30, 2015 | Football
Complete Recap as the Fighting Illini Made the Rounds in Chicago
Beckman Press Conference Transcript | #B1GMediaDay | Photos
Player Interviews: Ferguson | Karras | Monheim
@IlliniFootball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The Fighting Illini traveled to Chicago to kick off the 2015 season with the annual Big Ten Media Days and Kickoff Luncheon. Illinois was represented by head coach Tim Beckman and seniors Josh Ferguson, Ted Karras and Mason Monheim on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
Beckman and Ferguson started things off with a live interview on Sirius XM radio. The players continued the busy day by rolling through one-on-one interviews with ESPN, CBS, FOX, BTN and BigTen.org. They filmed short segments generally shown before games or when one of those networks airs a feature and has players from different teams commenting on it.
The players had some fun in the morning imitating emojis, posing for the Twitter Mirror and answering quick questions at the Facebook Rapid Fire station. All three players also chatted with Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett from ESPN.com.
After going through USA Football and BTN video shoots, Beckman took the stage for his press conference in front of a ballroom full of reporters. Beckman then rattled off the TV rotation, including sit-down interviews with BTN, FOX, CBS, ESPN, and BigTen.org.
In the afternoon, all four Illini moved to a room where each man sat at a podium and round table, fielding questions from the media members who bounced around the room.
The players then traded their suit coats and dress shirts, and changed into jerseys for a photo shoot with ESPN. These images are showcased during features or when the network goes to commercial after one of those players makes a big play.
The Illini also took their turn doing interviews with Steve Kelly on WDWS AM 1400 and on the studio set for BTN Live.
That wrapped up a whirlwind day where the Illini representatives spoke with dozens of local, regional and national media. They will be back at it Friday morning for the final media session before the Kickoff Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.
Chicago, here come the #Illini! #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/j9pKaJNqOr
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015#Illini are ready to roll at #B1GMediaDay. These guys clean up pretty well, don't you think? pic.twitter.com/6hRn4RJ1S6
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Here with go! Ferg and Beckman kick things off on @SiriusXMCollege with former #Illini @B_Hop72! #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/sFfWRT0S48
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Think @B_Hop72 still has some #Illini pride? ???? #IllinoisLoyalty #B1GMediaDay @Illinois_Alma pic.twitter.com/owItHmTkLz
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015?? at #B1GMediaDay. @coachbeckman @illinifootball @illiniathletics pic.twitter.com/P4QXjIPj4F
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 30, 2015ESPN: "Who is the scariest player in the Big Ten?" @_teddy_k: "Me" ?? #Illini #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/UGN2hzAczN
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Favorite player for @JoshFerguson_6 growing up? #Illini great @R_Mendenhall #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/9nZ6fwZIzy
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015#Illini Mason Monheim's music choice before a game? Country Favorite Artist: @ericchurch pic.twitter.com/FzmwqSZOMG
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Beckman takes the podium at #B1GMediaDay. Watch live on @BigTenNetwork & BTN2Go. #Illini pic.twitter.com/usOCqHwfR5
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015These guys look good! #Illini #B1GMediaDay @GQMagazine pic.twitter.com/bJJn3Re5JU
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Big crowds around the #Illini podiums at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/7kfKrol6IN
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Best #Illini emoji impression? #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/JDMlYIDOPs
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Watch the full Tim Beckman #B1GMediaDay Press Conference #Illini http://t.co/cLRzyHiU6V
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Life of a B1G coach. #Illini #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/G4I3Lv3tYI
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Still going strong at #B1GMediaDay. #Illini having some fun at @ESPNCFB photo shoot. pic.twitter.com/M40w7jrRzF
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) July 30, 2015Josh Ferguson, Mason Monheim & Ted Karras talk about @IlliniFootball heading into the 2015 season. #B1GMediaDay http://t.co/OMYhlUtooW
— BTN Live (@BTNLive) July 30, 2015
