Redbird fans gather to send off football team

Posted on January 7, 2015

A cold Wednesday afternoon did not stop Redbird fans from sending off the ISU football team. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The freezing weather couldn't stop Redbird fans Wednesday afternoon from giving the Illinois State University football team a grand farewell as they head for Frisco, Texas and the FCS National Championship.

The Redbirds have a date Saturday with the Bison of North Dakota State University. Doug Lantz is one of many fans who braved the frigid temperatures.

"My wife's an alum from ISU and my daughters and I, we come to a lot of the basketball (and) volleyball games because I have four daughters and two of them are involved in sports, so we come and support the ISU women's programs," said Lantz. "(We) wanted to support the football team. We come to a lot of games and we love it."

Lantz said he'll be watching Saturday's game at a friend's house.

"About 10 of us guys are going to head out there and enjoy the game," said Lantz. "Just incidentally, he happened to be on the 1969 championship baseball team. It's a big deal."

There are many fans who will be headed to Frisco for the game, including ISU alumnus Greg Kocourek.

"I'm a season ticket holder so I've been to all the games," said Kocourek. "I just want to come out and let the team know that we support them."

Also attending Wednesday's send off was State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington). He said the "great spirit of the Redbirds" is what brought out so many fans.

"This is the first opportunity the school's had in the history of the program to play for the national championship in football," said Brady. "Those are the kind of things that a community comes out for. It shows our pride. It shows our backing for the Redbirds and this great team."

NDSU will be playing for its fourth consecutive title. Pregame on WJBC will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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