Top of the Morning, Sept. 8, 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Sep. 8—Before Illini home games, we visit with fans pre-gaming outside Gies Memorial Stadium during . This week's program kicks off at 11:30 a.m. and includes a stop at Toby Brown's elaborate setup in Lot 31.
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Brown's custom-built trailer — modeled after the school bus he used for years that drew the attention of ESPN and BTN — includes a back porch, rooftop balcony and a welcoming sign that reads "See you in Lot 31 with 60,000 of my closest friends."
"I remember the years we won one or two games and there were 15,000 fans on a good day," he said. "Bret Bielema has pulled off a miracle. We couldn't have picked a better guy for the job."
Brown, a Paxton High grad (Class of 1990) who lives in Mahomet, always is one of the first in Lot 31's line the day before games to assure a prime spot across the street from Grange Grove. Once every season for an Illini road game, he'll turn his yard into "Lot 31.5" and host a tailgate party.
Home games "are the greatest day of the year for us," he said. "There's no place I'd rather be."