Toby Brown, a long-time Illinois football fan, has become a fixture at pre-game tailgates outside Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. His elaborate setup in Lot 31, including a custom-built trailer resembling a school bus, draws large crowds.
Brown’s trailer features a back porch and a rooftop balcony, and a sign welcoming fans with the message, “See you in Lot 31 with 60,000 of my closest friends.” He recalls attending games when attendance was much lower, around 15,000 fans, and credits head coach Bret Bielema with revitalizing the program. “Bret Bielema has pulled off a miracle. We couldn't have picked a better guy for the job,” Brown said.
Brown, a 1990 graduate of Paxton High School who resides in Mahomet, consistently arrives early to Lot 31 the day before games to secure a prime location near Grange Grove. He also hosts a tailgate party in his yard, dubbed “Lot 31.5,” for each Illini road game. He describes home game days as “the greatest day of the year,” stating, “There's no place I'd rather be.”
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy