Tags
wristbands tag wristband One

CHICAGO – It’s an old sports cliché: taking it one game at a time, one play at a time. It’s also a goal and the mindset the Illinois football team has adopted this year – one that every player is reminded of every time they look down at their right wrist.

The four Illinois representatives at Big Ten Football Media Day, head coach Tim Beckman, offensive lineman Graham Pocic, quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and defensive lineman Michael Buchanan, each sported a fat, orange wristband with blue letters reading the word “one” written on it.

Directly on the other side is a date, one that Beckman has mentioned several times during the two-day event in Chicago: 12-1-12. It’s the date of the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis.

The phrase “one” has a double meaning – an acronym for “operation new era” and to serve as a constant reminder to take everything one step at a time.

“The fact that one play can change the game,” Scheelhaase said. “That one player. It’s important for all of us. It’s what we’re all about.”

Former players were given the exact same wristband, but with the colors reversed, a blue band with orange writing. Offensive line coach Luke Butkus will be seen sporting both, since he’s a former player and a part of the current program.

The idea for wristbands dates back to Beckman’s days at Oklahoma State, but he gave credit to his wife for the idea of the theme.

“Because the “one” is so important in everything you do,” Beckman said. “Have to take your first step, make your first catch. In the weight room, you have to have your first rep.

“All of the things important with the name one … because this is new and the culture is different from what they have had in the past.”

Beckman professed he’s a big believer in mottos and goals to keep his players motivated and that is the key for the constant reminders about the date. As he turned his wristband to the other side, he spoke about how he always wants the goal of the team to be a champion. He’s tried to instill the date in his players’ minds, reminding them of it in as many ways possible.

“We never take these off,” Buchanan said. “It’s kind of like our calling card. Our image. It’s always on our mind, winning a Big Ten championship, and we want to change the program.”

Click here to read more.