They've been known as the Assembly Hall since it opened its doors in 1963 and has hosted basketball games, concerts & other special events over the years. The home court of the University of Illinois basketball teams will soon call State Farm Center home down in Champaign.

The Bloomington, IL-based insurance company has signed a 30 year, $60 million naming rights deal with the U of I, Athletic Director Mike Thomas and university officials announced today. As part of the new deal, there will be about $160 million of renovations to the 50 year-old arena starting next spring.

Champaign is hardcore American south.

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-- source

Hopefully they bring back the little jingles they had on the radio about two years ago. Those were good.

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

I was worried the Illini relocated to Orlando.

They should call their arena Madison Square Cornfield. It's basically the same goofy layout.

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You mean...

"Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there."

They are still there...As far as I know anyway.

Illinois is in good hands.

That's Allstate. Chicago's Own Good Hands. Wrong company.

Since they can't have the chief anymore maybe they can have that little gecko guy as a mascot.

I can't wait until Chief Illiniwek is replaced with a gekko, SHARK.

Edit: Dammit KD, you beat me to it.

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GEICO? Strike two.

Maybe Flo can make an appearance, SHARK.

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That's "Not-So-Progressive" Field, Kamps.

I want a discount double check.

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Not a chance!

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If Groce doesn't work they can hire "The General" Bob Knight.

Truth be told, "The General" will soon be out of a job at ESPN. His contract at the "Worldwide Leader" is up.

No, I meant the ones like...

I'm in a state of caffination
Got all my fingers shakin'
Must have been my large Americano Mochaccino macchiato
Now the family's gone to bed
And that's my favorite time to get some tips on better rates,
Cause my State Farm guy answers late,
And even when its not my agent,
Someone's standing by so patient,
Getting coverage questions answered helps me to relax.

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

It still finishes along the same lines.

Those songs finished with "Get to a better state... State Farm." Quite a different tag line than "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there." However, I think they both are examples of the quality coverage you should expect with an industry leader like State Farm.

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

Yeah, but if you listen carefully, you still hear their familiar jingle...

OKAY I KNOW YOU CAN NEVER NOT BE RIGHT BUT JUST DROP IT

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I rest my case, your honor.