Northwestern University Athletics
Jonathan Brown's Favorite Memory
11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
A Soggy Day
My favorite memory involving the University of Illinois came from the 1991 Homecoming game. I had just graduated in 1990 and as a former member of NUMB and I was looking forward to marching in my second Homecoming as a NUMBALUM.
Well the weather that day was atrocious. It poured and poured all day long. Being young and lacking the wisdom of age, I didn't think to wear a poncho over my purple NUMB Jacket. I was already thoroughly drenched after our early morning rehearsal. The rain only got heavier and heavier during the game and I don't know how my saxophone survived that day (I still play it at Homecoming to this day).
While the weather and my band experiences were memorable, what was even more memorable was the sight of the team coming out in all purple uniforms. I remember one of the players (possibly quarterback Len Williams) stating: "We looked like a grape". I don't know if it was the uniforms or the weather, but the team came out inspired to play and three soggy hours later we were all celebrating a Homecoming victory. It's always a great afternoon to enjoy Wildcat Football and to be a part of the Band again, but ending the day with a victory made it that much more special.
Jonathan Brown
CAS 1990
