Titan Trivia
“Trivial” is in the eye of the beholder. We think these fun facts are more than important enough to know. Enjoy!
#TGOE
You may have noticed the initials or hashtag TGOE appearing in emails or on IWU social media. The initials stand for Titan Green Over Everything, but the phrase means much more. Across Illinois Wesleyan’s campus—from sporting events to academic activities to alumni outreach—the phrase Titan Green Over Everything reminds us of several things: pride of place, courage in competition, and overall excellence in performance. From its beginnings in the early part of the last decade as a social media label, through its elevation to serving as the theme to Homecoming 2015, to its use across all platforms today, #TGOE has become shorthand for, “We love this place.” IYKYK (We’ll let you look that one up for yourself.)
Coaching Legacy
Question: Can you name at least three of the head football coaches at Illinois Wesleyan University since 1954?
Answer: No. The answer is No, you cannot. There have only been two head football coaches at Illinois Wesleyan since 1954. In 1987, Coach Norm Eash replaced his college football coach Don “Swede” Larson, whose first season was 1954.
Q: Who started the tradition of serving watermelon after the Green/White Scrimmage to close training camp?
In what became a Titan Tradition over 60 years ago, Coach Don “Swede” Larson began rounding up a truckload of fresh watermelons and a line-up of Titan dads to provide the boys a cooling snack on their way to the locker room. The knife used then still sees action today, kept under lock and key in an undisclosed location until its lone appearance at this game each year. Coach Eash remembers his initial taste of the cold fruit from his first year as a player at IWU and has said, “there’s never been anything like it.”
Q: What is the IWU mascot’s name?
A: It’s Tommy, Tommy Titan. He is one cool dude.
Q: For what product is the Shirk family, generous supporters of IWU, known?
Beer Nuts
The company began in 1937 when Edward Shirk and his son Arlo took over the Caramel Crisp confectionery store in Bloomington, Illinois, which sold a product called "Redskins," "slightly sweet, lightly salted" glazed peanuts with their red skins intact. Beginning in 1950, this product was sold packaged as "Shirk's Glazed Peanuts" in local liquor stores.
The company remains family owned with production still based in Bloomington, operating out of a 100,000 sf facility it relocated to in 1973. And they are still delicious.
Bring some to your tailgate!
Tucci Turf
The turf at Tucci Stadium was replaced in time for the 2020-21 season. When was turf originally installed?
Prior to the 2011 season. The Illinois Wesleyan football stadium was named Tucci (pronounced TOO’chee) Stadium prior to the Titans' home opener against Hope on September 3, 2011.
The stadium is named in honor of University alumnus and benefactor Byron Tucci, whose gift allowed for the initial installation of a synthetic playing surface on the field, the fifth oldest NCAA football field in the country, and for its replacement as the original turf aged.
Inspirational Gifts
As you watch IWU Football GameDay action on Saturdays, you will see Inspiration Field, the home of Titan softball, just over the track, past the West endzone.
Q: Who is the inspiration behind Inspiration Field?
A: It’s amazing supporter of IWU Women’s Athletics and all-around great soul, Carol Willis. Watch the video below to learn about her impact on the Titans.
Chenoa IL-Cradle of Coaches?
Q: On what basis can Chenoa, Illinois, argue that it is a “Cradle of Coaches?”
A: Chenoa (pop. 1,723) is the hometown of both the winningest coach in Illinois Wesleyan and CCIW history as well as the winningest coach in all of Illinois’ high school football! In fact, Coach Eash (228 college wins) and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s former Head Football Coach Ken Leonard (419 high school victories) are boyhood pals, Chenoa High School teammates, college roommates, groomsmen in each other’s weddings, young coaching colleagues, and close friends for over 60 years.
Equipment Man
The boys—along with all Titan athletes—know IWU Equipment Manager Tony Robbins very well. He does everything from sizing up their helmets and fixing broken pads to lining up their uniforms for GameDay and making sure they have clean gear every day. His is a well-known face around IWU Sports.
Q: What else is Tony Robbins known for at Illinois Wesleyan?
Running Man
A: Robbins was in IWU’s Class of 1983 and ran cross country and track. He still holds the school record in the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase. In 1982, Robbins completed the grueling event in 9:17:20 and that time still stands as the all-time Titan best after nearly 40 years! Tony had been a cross-country MVP, was named Men’s Track’s Most Improved Runner that season, was selected as “Ideal Greek Athlete” among fraternity and sorority members, and in 1983 was named to the prestigious Order of the Titans athletics honorary.
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