Getty Image / Joe Robbins
Student sections are one of the best parts of college sports. They bring energy and passion to so many sporting events.
And, the Orange Krush student section at Illinois is one of the best. It boasts 1,5000 that support Illini basketball and even has a charitable wing.
According to Wikipedia, the organization has given over $2.5 million in the last 25 years to various charities, including the Jimmy V Foundation and the Cunningham Children’s Home.
But, they’ve messed up in a big way that will tarnish their reputation for a long time.
Each year, the Orange Krush student section does a trip to an away game in the Big Ten. Seems harmless, right? Well, over the last two decades, schools have cracked down on the student section invading their home arenas. This can make it hard for the Krush to get tickets elsewhere.
This year, they decided to go to Iowa. And, everything was all set, charter buses paid for, in preparation for Saturday’s game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
But, Wednesday afternoon news came out they wouldn’t be making the trip.
Statement from the Orange Krush: pic.twitter.com/etb13geis1
— The Orange Krush (@TheOrangeKrush) February 2, 2023
Wow. Looks bad for Iowa to deny these guys entry just because they root for the other team. After all, they do a lot of charity work.
Well, there’s a major plot twist.
A statement from the Iowa Athletics Department regarding Saturday’s game vs Illinois: pic.twitter.com/8gzZmf87Ns
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 2, 2023
WAIT. They posed as The Boys and Girls Club Of Champaign? Oh no. C’mon, Illinois. You can’t do that.
This appears to be a really big stain on a student section that does a lot of good.