Mom's practice with Illini football a hit for all
· Yahoo Sports
Apr. 11—CHAMPAIGN — Apparently, the Illinois football moms have game.
That's the word from their sons, who are members of Bret Bielema's team. And from the Illini assistant coaches.
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The moms will have a chance to show their skills during a Saturday spring practice. They will line up at the positions normally occupied by their children.
The event coincides with the annual Moms Weekend on the Illinois campus. If you are planning to go out to eat Saturday or Sunday, you better book your favorite restaurant now. They will be hopping at all hours.
The football team's moms event has been a hit. As of Friday morning, 131 moms, sisters, aunts and cousins have signed up. That's a bump of more than 30 compared to last year.
The players enjoy this different approach to a typical spring practice.
"It's a great event," Illinois defensive back Juice Clarke said. "It shows to recruits and the outside world that we really preach family here. You get to see a mom do backpedaling drills and 7 on 7, lining up against each other."
Clarke's mom, Chanelle, is passing on the practice.
"She doesn't really like playing football," Clarke said. "Once I told her she would have to line up, she said, 'No that isn't my speed.'"
More important to Juice that Chanelle comes for the games.
What moms are the best at football? Clarke rattled off several.
"I'd definitely say Matt Bailey's mom (Michelle), Aidan Laughery's mom (Mary), Brayden Trimble's mom (Brittanie) and Luke Altmyer's mom (Betsy)," Clarke said. "She was the quarterback."
The players appreciate having their parents hanging with the team.
"Last year, it was one of my favorite days," Illinois offensive lineman TJ McMillen said. "It's awesome that (Bielema) does that."
McMillen's mom, Joanie, attended the event in 2025.
"It's a special moment," he said. "My mom after the practice last year said it was one of her favorite days. She's been around a lot of football."
McMillen wisely ranked Joanie among the best football-playing moms.
"She did a pretty good job," he said.
Joanie won't be able to make it this year. But with good reason.
"It's my niece's first birthday," TJ said.
Practicing what they preach
The word FamILLy is now a staple of the Illinois football program.
Signs are everywhere.
"I see it with the fans here," McMillen said. "I see it with everybody in the building. We all mix so well. Coach B. does a great job with the family aspect."
Is Bielema like a second dad to the players?
"I wouldn't go that far," McMillen said. "I'd say he's kind of like the crazy uncle. He's cracking jokes when he needs to, and he's stern when he needs to be."
Drawing a distinction
Illinois defensive backs coach Corey Parker had never experienced a Moms practice before joining Bielema's staff in 2024.
"I didn't know what Moms Weekend was," Parker said. "Now I get to explain it to different moms, 'Are you coming up?'"
The reactions may be varied. Take for instance the family of new Illini cornerback Jakwon Morris, a junior college transfer from Mississippi.
"Jakwon Morris' mom is in her 70s," Parker said. "She's like, 'I've got to do football drills Coach Parker?' I said, 'You get to do whatever Jakwon is doing. If he's in a stance, you'll be in a stance next to him.' We're really excited about it."
That the Moms Weekend is at the same time as the team hosts official visits for recruits adds to the appeal.
Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller enters his sixth season on Bielema's staff. He is a fan of the special practice setup.
"I think it's great," he said. "It's a little bit of a reprieve for the fellas. It's a much less physically intense practice for them. The moms don't think that's quite the case. Last year, they got after it."