Tales from the 2004-05 Fighting Illini

Tales from the 2004-05 Fighting Illini by Dawson, Brett. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781596701212.

The word "team" is often overused in sports writing. Its used casually to refer to a collection of players that represent any old franchise or college. Its used passionately to describe a rooting interest--thats our team. And, occasionally, its used to discuss what has come to be a cliche: the idea of a group of individuals coming together for the common good, sacrificing all personal gain for the greater goal of winning a championship. Serious scribes dont toss around that meaning of the word team lightly--or very often. And with good reason. In sports, theres rarely a cause to use it. But, there is no wiser usage of the word "team"--a unified core of players all working toward the same goal--than when applying it to the 2004-05 Fighting Illini squad that weve all come to cherish. They were a "team" like no other. Tales from the 2004-05 Fighting Illini captures the team step-by-step on its March to the Arch. News-Gazette reporter Brett Dawson shadowed Bruce Webers boys the entire season and shares his insights into what made this team so special. The entire season was a rollercoaster ride of emotion: from the thrilling peaks--victories over Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Michigan State and ArizonA&Mdash; and unfortunate lows--the loss to Ohio State and the death of coach Webers mother. Dawson adds a new perspective to those moments, plus goes behind the scenes to discover what made this team tick. He examines their funny bone as well as their fierce will to win. Its all here: from Midnight Madness to the first "Dee for Threeeeee" to the hoisting of two Big Ten trophies and finally a date with North Carolina in the NCAA finals. Dee, Deron, Luther, Roger, and James--led by the nationalcoach of the year--have a story to tell. Until today, only half of it has been told.