Where were you on Feb. 6, 2010, when Demetri McCamey jumped on the scorer’s table, fans stormed the court and Illinois scored its biggest upset in five seasons?
Chloe Pistorius was where she always was back then — behind the basket with hundreds of fellow Illini student fanatics at a sold-out Assembly Hall, site of many of the 2012 College of Media alumna’s most memorable campus moments.
“When I think back on my time at U of if I, I can easily say many of my favorite memories were made at the State Farm Center. To many of us, it will always be the Assembly Hall,” the Bronze Tablet-earning former Maroa-Forsyth valedictorian writes from Connecticut, where she’s a producer at the Golf Channel. (That’s her on the right in the photo).
“As an active member of Orange Krush, I spent countless hours lining up early for games to claim that coveted floor spot behind the hoop.
“In February 2010, College GameDay came to Champaign. To say we were excited is an understatement. My friends and I lined up outside of the Assembly Hall at 5 a.m., decked in orange from head to toe.
“My dad made us custom ESPN headbands, which were a big hit with the cameras once the broadcast began. We even got our photo with the legend, Dick Vitale.
“The fairytale was capped off with an Illinois upset over fifth-ranked Michigan State. At the sound of the final buzzer, we stormed the court, celebrating the conclusion of a perfect day.
“Years later, I can’t step into the now State Farm Center without remembering that incredible day. The building will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
