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When you grow up on Big Ten Football, or become a part of it in some way, there is one game you aspire to be a part of, and that is the Rose Bowl. For the Brian Barnhart (pictured left), the voice of University of Illinois Football and Basketball, this year is a dream come true. In the December 26, 2007 edition of the Chicago Tribune, sports media reporter Ed Sherman writes about the journey Barnhart has taken to become the voice of the Illini.

In the article, Sherman starts out with the basic story of Sherman and the the rise of this year's Illini team:

The play-by-play voice of Illinois football and basketball was raised just down the road from Memorial Stadium in Tolono. He was an Illini fan almost from Day One.

Barnhart grew up listening to previous Illinois voices: Larry Stewart, Dick Martin and Jim Turpin. Now he is following in their footsteps by calling Illinois' biggest football game in 24 years when the Illini face USC in the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.

Although you need a user account to read the full story, you might want to visit the Tribune web site to read Barnhart's story.

Related Link(s)

Brian Barnhart profile from WHMS 95.7
Ed Sherman Profile