January 23rd – 25th
Wisconsin vs 24 Illinois - College Basketball (CBB) – ESPN2 – 4pm
It took pretty much all day on Friday to get to Champaign, IL. Flight options are limited, so I was stuck with a 4 hour layover in Detroit. However, that allowed me to catch up on some emails.
This weekend was a reunion of sorts – Amy, the other graphics operator that started the football season with me, was the other operator this weekend. She did Viz and I did Duet. (Some higher profile CBB games have 2 graphics operators on them still)
Jason, my football AP, was also our AP for this game. So it was very nice for the 3 of us to work together again!
On Friday night, Amy and I had dinner and spent some time catching up.
Since the alarm was going off at 3:30am, I was in bed by 8:05pm Friday night. I was so obsessed about falling asleep, that I didn’t until well after 11pm. Ugh!
Game day went really well. Other than we had to be in a 5am for a 3pm game. Ugh! That part wasn’t fun!
But it allowed for Amy, Jason and I to take a real lunch break for once. We went to this place called “LePeep” – it was fantastic! It’s a lot like a “First Watch”.
Over the years, I have stayed in some of the worst hotels in the entire country while visiting Champaign. The “Historical Lincoln” was cross between a Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion and the set of the movie “The Shining”. I believe that was during football season of 2004.
This weekend was a reunion of sorts – Amy, the other graphics operator that started the football season with me, was the other operator this weekend. She did Viz and I did Duet. (Some higher profile CBB games have 2 graphics operators on them still)
Jason, my football AP, was also our AP for this game. So it was very nice for the 3 of us to work together again!
On Friday night, Amy and I had dinner and spent some time catching up.
Since the alarm was going off at 3:30am, I was in bed by 8:05pm Friday night. I was so obsessed about falling asleep, that I didn’t until well after 11pm. Ugh!
Game day went really well. Other than we had to be in a 5am for a 3pm game. Ugh! That part wasn’t fun!
But it allowed for Amy, Jason and I to take a real lunch break for once. We went to this place called “LePeep” – it was fantastic! It’s a lot like a “First Watch”.
Over the years, I have stayed in some of the worst hotels in the entire country while visiting Champaign. The “Historical Lincoln” was cross between a Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion and the set of the movie “The Shining”. I believe that was during football season of 2004.
There was carpet, velvet & tapestries EVERYWHERE!
I actually sent a complaint into the ESPN Travel Dept. begging them to never book this hotel again. It was winter time and I had to leave my window open in order to breathe. The ventilation system was so outdated that it was as if there was lit cigarette in my room the entire stay (or maybe it was the ghost in the corner smoking?)
It was a nice hotel, when it was renovated back in the early 80s!
Just so creepy now!
Just so creepy now!
It defienately added entertainment value for our crew and gave us something to compare future hotels with. (See, 5 years later and I'm still talking about it!)
Then there was this other one – I don’t remember the name – maybe “America’s Inn” or something ? I think it was during the 2005 football season that we experienced this gem.
Then there was this other one – I don’t remember the name – maybe “America’s Inn” or something ? I think it was during the 2005 football season that we experienced this gem.
It’s feature was the sign at the check in desk:
“If illegal drugs or activities are conducted in your room, you will be asked to leave without refund. If you don’t leave, we will call the police.”
NICE!
Actually, if I remember correctly, the Illinois football team was doing so poorly at the time, the coaches made the team stay at the hotel the night before the game as punishment.
ANYWAY, back to this trip!
I am happy to report that Champaign has a brand new hotel!
It’s called “I Hotel” and it is located 1 block behind Assembly Hall.
Great hotel!! Just a lot of nice little touches.
This one was my favorite
(yes, actual books)
“If illegal drugs or activities are conducted in your room, you will be asked to leave without refund. If you don’t leave, we will call the police.”
NICE!
Actually, if I remember correctly, the Illinois football team was doing so poorly at the time, the coaches made the team stay at the hotel the night before the game as punishment.
ANYWAY, back to this trip!
I am happy to report that Champaign has a brand new hotel!
It’s called “I Hotel” and it is located 1 block behind Assembly Hall.
Great hotel!! Just a lot of nice little touches.
This one was my favorite
(yes, actual books)
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