Today on the online inquire podcast, we're talking with the man, the myth, the legend.

Lauren Tate, News Gazette, entering his 59 season, 5-9, covering

Illinois football. And we get great perspective from Mr. Tate about his career, which I love

talking to him about, about this team, about this athletic program, about his expectations for 2025, and why

Lauren Tate at 93 years old, 93, is still covering Illinois athletics as well and as in depth

as he is. It was a fantastic conversation as it always is with Lauren Tate.

I just love the man. He's a great man. He's always been great to me, and I love bringing him in on

this podcast to hear from him. And I tell you what, Tate's stakes are still as good as anybody's,

if not better than anybody's on this beat. So I enjoyed getting his thoughts on the Illinois football season.

We also talk with Tom Morland.

He's the chief commercial officer for Illinois.

Basically a primer for you, the Illinois football fan, about what to expect,

about getting to the stadium, about getting into the stadium,

about what you will experience once you're in

the stadium.

Tom is in charge of the group that takes care of you guys on game day.

So we talk about all of that, the Illinois Era Project, and just how many season tickets

they are selling, the sellouts they have, and likely we'll have more of entering this

season.

So it was a fun conversation with him.

So this is the last podcast we have leading into the actual season. This is our last preview

podcast before on Friday night, we actually have our first post-game press conference after

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