University of Illinois Basketball Team Told they are Less Important than the French Circus
After failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the once prominent Illinois basketball team forced their administration into a difficult decision. Host an NIT consolation game and show support for their program, or bring in Cirque du Soleil to do handstands instead. Guess which one they chose. (Spoiler Alert: It wasn’t the basketball game.)
In a decision that stunned both the athletic and circus communities, The University of Illinois decided that keeping a previous engagement they had booked with the French theatrical troop to perform in their basketball arena was the “right thing to do.”
Basketball coach Bruce Weber seemed to support the decision. "I think it would be an understatement to say it's been a tough day," he said while fighting back tears of shame.
Good news for basketball fans, though. According to Ticketmaster, good seats are still available for Cirque du Soleil.
Photo: Shirlaine Forrest/Wireimage/Getty Images
