Runs bring Illini AD, fans together

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman offered advice to the roughly 50 fans who gathered in shorts and sneakers in front of Wrigley Field early Saturday morning.

“We ban people from running with us if they’re too good,” he joked. “If you’re too athletic, don’t show up.”

Since his hiring in 2016, Whitman has run a few miles with fans before every Illini home game. Saturday’s matchup against South Florida at Soldier Field in Chicago was no exception.

The former Illini and NFL player runs to stay in shape and has become more dedicated to distance running over the last few years. With many ADs removed from fans or available only at high-priced donor functions, Whitman’s informal runs offer rare accessibility for fans — at least for those who can keep up.

“It’s a great example of how passionate people feel about the program,” said Whitman, wearing a blue Illini running shirt and shorts. “We talk when we run. People ask questions. We go through the quad and (alumni) enjoy reminiscing. It’s just cool to connect that way.”

Whitman, who logs about 25 to 40 miles per week, encouraged fans to run alongside him — or even take the lead — before they took off from Wrigley Field at 7 a.m.

“It’s not like Forrest Gump where I’m out in front of everyone,” he said.

Before home games, Whitman usually loads cases of water into his trunk and picks up some doughnuts to offer as post-run refreshments as he chats with fans. He rarely has staff members with him unless they’re also game for a run.

“It’s real informal,” Whitman said. “The thing I like about it is it’s like a pop-up run.” Fans mostly keep the conversation light. “He’s relatable,” said Mike Staggs, who lives in Wisconsin but attends many home-game runs with Whitman. “Of course, you want to ask who’s starting at quarterback or getting fired, but you learn about him. It’s cool.”

Before Whitman met his runners Saturday, he ran 7 miles from his hotel to Wrigleyville. He later posed with runners under the Wrigley marquee and chatted with them about their love for the Illini and running.

Whitman assured a reporter he would catch a ride with a staff member back to the hotel — there was too much to do before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff to fit in any more running anyway.

“Everyone takes a doughnut,” he told his running partners. “That’s the rule.”