Look for the Illini Pride Booth at Quad Day for more info on the Orange Krush!
The Orange Krush is one of the most famous student sections in all of college sports! With unique cheers and incredible energy, Krush has made Assembly Hall one of the most intimidating places to play in the country, and year after year Krush provides Bruce Weber’s Fighting Illini a tremendous home court advantage.
This year, the team brings back some steady stars along with some exciting young talent. If last year’s Big Ten Tournament is any indication, the Illini look poised to improve upon a long tradition of Ilinois basketball excellence. Join the Orange Krush and you will have a chance to follow our talented team with the best seats in the Hall! As if standing five feet from the court weren’t enough, the excitement of being an Orange Krush member extends far beyond Assembly Hall with many additional benefits, such as the official Orange Krush T-shirt, pre-game tailgates, away game watch parties, our world-famous road trips to invade hostile Big Ten arenas, and much more!
As the Orange Krush, we protect our house and invade theirs!
During the 2007-08 season, the Orange Krush continued to live up to its reputation by executing two undercover road trips all the way north to take over Minnesota’s Williams Arena and Michigan’s Crisler Arena. Where will Krush go this season? You’ll have to join to find out!
How do I join the Orange Krush?
As the Orange Krush is a subgroup of Illini Pride, you cannot join without first becoming a member of Illini Pride. Because you have already taken this first step, you are that much closer to becoming a part of the Orange Krush!
Not only does the Orange Krush support Fighting Illini basketball, but is also a significant philanthropic organization and a key part of the campus and the Champaign – Ubana community contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the university and a number of charitable organizations each year. Therefore, all students interested in joining Krush must participate in the Orange Krush 3-point program, which raises money for local charities. In the past 10 seasons, the Orange Krush has raised and donated nearly 1.5 million dollars!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
To join the Orange Krush, members must raise money by soliciting pledges from the community. Students may ask people to pledge money per 3-point shot the basketball team scores in the upcoming 2007-2008 season, or ask for straight up donations. The amount of money raised determines the Krush level. Varsity members need to raise $1.50/3-pt shot (however, freshman only need to raise $1.00/3-pt shot). If you raise $3.00/3-pt shot, you become a member of the All American team and receive greater benefits.
For example: Joe Smith pledges you $0.10 / 3-pt shot. Record Joe’s information on the pledge sheet (found at www.illinipride.com), and turn in the information at the deadline. If the Illini make 233 three-pointers during the upcoming season, Joe Smith will be billed $23.30 at the end of the season. As a freshman, you would only need 9 more people to donate $0.10 / 3-pt shot in order to become a member of the Orange Krush.
After the season, the Orange Krush Foundation will take care of sending you and the rest of your donors a bill depending on how many 3-pointers the Illini make during the season.
**It does not matter how many donors you have. In the example above, you could have 9 more people donate $0.10 / 3-point shot or just have one more donor donate $0.90 / 3-point shot to have a total of $1.00 / 3-point shot (varsity member for freshman/transfer students).
**Donors can make a flat donation instead of a pledge. Every $25 cash donation you receive is considered a $0.10 pledge. So if you received a $50 cash donation, which would be equal to $0.20 pledge. We ask that all cash donations less than $25 to be collected in and advance and be ready to be turned in on by the deadlines listed below. You can reach your desired pledge level in any combination of pledges or flat donations.
Raising Pledges
Tips for raising pledges:
Ask family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers
Approach local corporations and businesses
Ask ANYONE affiliated with the U of I (ESPECIALLY alumni)
START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!
Do NOT give false pledges, or pledges you do not expect to pay. This will eliminate your chance of being in Orange Krush again!!
Pledge information will be turned in on our online website during the week of September 22. This website will only be made available the week of registration. Pay attention to Illini Pride Emails and the website for announcements closer to this date!
Orange Krush 2008-2009 Registration will take place Sept. 18-22!
All-American: Sept. 18-22
Varsity September: Sept. 18 -22
Scout September: Sept. 18-22
Orange Krush Membership Benefits
All-American team member
$3 DONOR (per 3-pt shot)
FREE ORANGE KRUSH Basketball Season Ticket •
1st Priority Missouri Game Tickets (free based on availability)
1st Priority United Center Game Tickets (free based on availability)
Reception with team and/or coaching staff
1st priority for NCAA tournament tickets (must purchase/ based on availability
Guaranteed floor seating for at least 1 home game (must arrive 1 hr before tip-off
1st priority floor seating for every home game (must arrive no later than 60 min before tip-off)
Varsity Team Member
$1.50 DONOR (per 3-pt shot) & $1 DONOR (for freshman/ transfer students)
FREE ORANGE KRUSH Basketball Season Ticket
2nd Priority Seating for Missouri & United Center Games (must purchase/ based • on availability)
2nd Priority for NCAA tournament tickets (must purchase/ based on availability)
Guaranteed floor seating for at least 1 home game (must arrive 1 hr before tip-off)
2nd priority floor seating for every home game
Scout Team Member
Less than $1.50 DONOR (per 3-pt shot) & (Less than $1 for freshman/transfer students)
Opportunity to PURCHASE any remaining ORANGE KRUSH Season Tickets
3rd Priority Seating for Missouri & United Center Games (must purchase/ based on availability)
3rd Priority for NCAA tournament tickets (must purchase/ based on availability
Guaranteed floor seating for at least 1 home game (assuming purchase of ORANGE KRUSH season ticket and arrival 1 hr before tip-off)
**Break game tickets WON’T be distributed based on money raised (more info during season)
Coach’s circle
In addition to the benefits you receive according to your donor level (All-American, Varsity, or Scout), the top ten Orange Krush members who raise the most money will also be rewarded with the following prizes:
First Prize - All inclusive road trip with the team to a Big Ten conference game
Second Prize - Basketball signed by Coach Weber and a chance to be an Honorary • Coach
Third Prize - Illinois Basketball Jersey
Runners Up (10) - 8 x 10 team photo signed by player/coach of choice
Orange Krush Foundation
Over the past 10 years, the Orange Krush Foundation has raised and donated nearly 1.5 million dollars to charitable organizations (funds raised during the 2007-2008 season will be distributed in Fall 2008).
Founded in 1998, the Orange Krush Foundation is a University of Illinois student-run charitable foundation intent on improving the quality of life for the Champaign-Urbana and campus communities by providing financial support and contributing service to area not-for-profit organizations.
Proceeds raised by the Orange Krush Foundation 3-point program are allocated according to the following formula: 50% University Scholarship Endowment, 50% Local Charities.
Last fall, the Foundation completed both the Rod Cardinal Sports Medicine Fund at a grand total of $300,000 and helped to complete the Louis and Dawn M. Weber Student Manager Enhancement Fund with presentation of $120,000. Presently, the Orange Krush Foundation Board is in negotiations with the Illinois Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to discuss a new endowment for the upcoming season in order to provide further financial perpetuity to the Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball program.