By Jeff Yoder
This evening, the University of Illinois will replicate Silent Night in honor of new head coach and Taylor alum John Groce ('94). Groce will coach his first game in his new home at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill., as the Illini take on Colgate.
The Illinois student section, known as the Orange Krush, will host "Orange Hush," modeled after "Silent Night," in which Taylor fans choose one game each season to remain silent until the Trojans score 10 points. Then the crowd erupts in cheers and chaos.
"Imitation is the best form of flattery," said Taylor Athletic Director Angie Fincannon. "It's definitely giving credit to Taylor from John Groce's background."
Groce played at Taylor from 1991 to 1994. After his playing days, Groce was an assistant at Taylor under Head Coach Paul Patterson for three years.
"Personally, it's not an easy time to coach your team in that environment," Patterson said. "There's a lot of pressure to get to that 10th point."
Groce will experience that environment at its Nov. 9 home-opener. Assembly Hall holds just less than 17,000, and the students of the Orange Krush will be silent until the 10th point, replicating the beginning of Silent Night.
The Silent Night tradition began in 1995, Groce's first year as an assistant coach, and it has grown in popularity since. The tradition has been duplicated by universities and high schools in many different fashions, but none on a stage like this.
"That's the beauty of athletic events," Fincannon said. "We all share. Traditions are made to be replicated and shared. People can try to replicate Silent Night, but for me, what makes Silent Night unique is the Taylor students."
Patterson said his former assistant and current women's Head Coach at Indiana Wesleyan, Steve Brooks, got the idea for Silent Night from someone out east.
As the tradition has grown in popularity, Taylor is getting more recognition for it.
In 2010, ESPN's "Around The Horn" did a segment on the game. Last year, Sports Illustrated, Fox News and other news outlets picked up the story.
Now, as the 10th point falls, Taylor students' cheers echo throughout the media world, not just in Odle Arena.
Having a Big Ten program recreate the idea may seem like it's being stolen from Taylor, but the Illini have given all the credit to the Trojan tradition. The Orange Krush simply want to recreate the environment of Silent Night to welcome Groce as their new leader.
"I think it is awesome that a school of their size will do the Silent Night tradition," said senior guard Casey Coons. "I will definitely be excited to see it."
