10/6 2023 - Illinois vs Nebraska. This Friday evening game featured a new commission of The Music of Pink Floyd arranged by JR Trimpe. Carol and Milt Vasich attended the game along with Jim Richards and Kathy Kerrigan. We were treated to wonderful colonnade seats with an excellent view of the half-time show. We were delighted to be able to visit with Dave Allen before the game and on the field for the 4th quarter and MI Director Barry Houser during the third quarter. Thank you for the opportunity to be on the field with you and for the generosity of your time. We appreciate the opportunity to take a photo on the field surrounded by the very talented MI Trombones on this very chilly and blustery evening.

10/9/2021 - Illinois vs. Wisconsin - This sunny afternoon game featured the Music of Alicia Keyes, Beyonce and other stars during the amazing performance of the Marching Illini. Milt and Carol were on the field for the whole 3rd quarter with Dave Allen at the goal line. A fantastic viewing location. We met the MI trombones after the game and were very grateful to take a photo with them and the wonderful Barry Houser.

2020 - The Covid-19 outbreak restricted football attendance this season.

10/19/2019 - Illinois vs Wisconsin was a very exciting football game. Illinois won with a last second field goal 24-23!   Milt and Carol with VIP passes in hand were seated on the field at the goal posts for the exciting second half!! Wow! We viewed the terrific half-time show from our east balcony seats where we heard this heart warming stadium announcement, "The halftime performance funded by the Greg Vasich Memorial Fund, a fund which honors the memory of former trombonist in the Marching Illini, Greg Vasich. Each season, this fund supports the costs associated with our custom music arrangement fees. We are grateful to Greg's parents, Milt and Carol Vasich for their continuous support of the Marching Illini and we welcome them back Saturday for this special game. Greg is and will be forever remembered!" 

10/13/18 - Illinois vs Purdue Homecoming Game and the 150th Anniversary of the Marching Illini was the date selected for the GSV Marching Illini Half Time Tribute.  Carol and Milt Vasich attended the game. We send our heartfelt thank you to Barry Houser for making this half-time tribute for all who loved Greg.

10/14/2017 - Illinois vs Rutgers. It was a very livley and fun halftime performance featuring the music from The Pirates of the Caribbean. Carol, Milt, Don, Maria and Stevan Vasich attended the game along with Brian and Diana Saunders, Jim Richards and Paul and Amy Mueller.

11/5/2016 - Illini vs Michigan State.  Mr. Houser selected Dad's Day for the Marching Illini Greg Vasich Memorial Commission. This special half time show featured a trombone spectacular!!  Douglas Xeo was the guest artist for the day with a spectacular arrangement of '76 Trombones' . Trombone players across the state were  invited  to join the band.  There was a huge turnout.   Milt and Carol, along with Greg's cousins, Stevan, Diana and Brian attended the game. Milt and I are so very appreciative of all Barry's efforts to include us as participants at this wonderfully heartfelt  memorial for Greg.   Our hearts warmed as we saw our dear Greg 'waving' from the stadium scoreboard.

10/24/2015 - Illinois vs. Wisconsin Homecoming Game. The University of Illinois MI  Greg Vasich Memorial Commission featured the music of Bill Chase, famous lead trumpeter and jazz artist. Songs included: 'Open Up Wide' and 'In The Stone'.  Milt and Carol were on the field near the band's performance.  The music was terrific and we were very moved by the warmth of the band, especially the trombone section and Mr. Barry Houser who always honors us with his time. Nicole P., Megan H. and Paul Vasich accompanied us to the game this year. Thank you from the entire Vasich family for this memorable day.

10/25/2014 -Illinois vs. Minnesota Homecoming football game. Greg’s memory was honored during this half-time show which included a Motown Opener Medley of 'I'll Be There', 'Get Ready' and 'You Keep me Hanging On'. The Alumni Band played 'Oskee from the Hold' and a 'Throwback Stands Tune'. The Motown Closer, a combined performance of 'Never Can Say Goodbye', 'I Want You Back', 'ABC', 'Thriller' and 'The Incomparable Three in One'. Greg’s cousins Brian and Diana S., Stevan V. and Milt and Carol Vasich attended the game.  The bands were amazing.  We are so appreciative of the band, especially the band director Barry Houser and the trombones for meeting with us, remembering Greg and taking our picture with the MI Trombones!! It was a wonderful day to remember all that meant so much to Greg.

9/28/2013 - U of I vs. Miami. - This year, Greg's memorial show was on Dad's Day. The Marching Illini performed music from  James Bond, Iron Man and a new Dad's Day Remix.  Milt and I had the pleasure of talking with MI director Mr. Barry Houser who provided us with Field Passes to watch the amazing half time show close up!  We enjoyed sitting near the band, meeting the trombone section and taking a photo with the talented group. We were honored to hear the mention of Greg and the half time show during the stadium half time announcements.  Afterward Mr. Houser made a warm tribute to Greg at the Education building concert. It was a very good day of fantastic musicianship and a wonderful tribute to our dear Greg.

September 15, 2012 - U of I vs Charleston Southern.  We were invited by Marching Band director Barry Houser to attend this football game. The halftime show featured Beatles music with many great trombone parts. The band played The Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour',  'Lady Madonna', 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' and 'Three-In-One'. It was a warm sunny day. We were happy to see Greg's picture up at the Trombone Tree. We met Greg's cousin Stevan Vasich and his friend Paul M. at the Trombone Tree for a little reminiscing before the game.

November 12, 2011 - Illini vs Michigan. Mike, Molly, Milt and Carol Vasich attended the U of I football game where the Marching Illini used the Greg Vasich Memorial funds  to choreograph the half-time show.  Before the game we were serenaded by the trombones at the trombone tree. It was wonderful to meet the MI Trombones and hear the beloved Trombone Cheer, once again! Thank you for this heartwarming opportunity to remember and honor Greg. 

October 30, 2010-Illinois vs Purdue.  The University of Illinois Marching Illini used  the GSV Memorial Funds to arrange the music for the half-time show during this game. Milt and I attended and enjoyed the game, the music and time on the field during half time, as well as, the performance for parents at the education building after the game. Band Director Pete Griffin, spoke about Greg to everyone at the Education Building. It was a wonderful tribute. The Marching Illini performed the music from the opera 'Carmen'. They were fantastic. Milt and I could not believe our ears as this music was played by Greg, Mike and Chris as a piano trio when they were young. Coincidentally Milt and I had just seen the opera ‘Carmen’ in Chicago the week before!!

11/14/2009 - Dad's Day Illinois vs. Northwestern. This year the Marching Illini GSV Memorial Funds provided an arrangement and choreography for a tribute to the Boy Bands entitled '90's Boy Band Medley' and was arranged by a member of the MI baritone section. It was a beautifully sunny day. Milt and Carol Vasich sat in the band section and had guest VIP passes to go directly on the field. Very nice!  We received a copy of the trombone part of the score  and a DVD from the show. The music will  be played by the basketball band, too.   Band director Pete Griffin wrote us a note in the fall and added "We keep his picture on our outer office working board. Every time I see that picture I am reminded of what an incredible person he was to so many people." The Vasich Family is so thankful Greg is being remembered and missed by his much loved Marching Illini Band.

Fall Concert October 19th, 2008 - MI Band Director Pete Griffin honored Greg this year with a repeat performance of the GSV 2006 Memorial Commission of Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' complete with sing-a-long.

10/27/2007 -Illinois vs. Ball State Homecoming. The Greg Vasich Memorial Commission paid tribute to the band 'Chicago' with a Medley of their  greatest hits arranged by J.R. Trimpe.  One of our favorites was ‘Make Me Smile'.   It was a great performance by the Marching Illini and the Alumni Band. Greg’s 3 brothers Mike, Chris and Paul were able to attend the games along with their friends, Molly, Sara, Ellie, Teresa, Paul, Neil and cousin Diana.

10/14/2006 - Illinois vs Ohio University. The Greg Vasich  Memorial provided funds for the arrangement of the Marching Illini half-time show which featured the music of Bon Jovi. The commissioned arrangement featured 'You Give Love a Bad Name' and ‘Livin' on a Prayer'.  Milt, Carol and Paul Vasich attended the game. Peter Griffin provided us with great tickets for the game, as well as, a parking permit and passes for the Orange and Blue Alumni tent. We thank Mr. Griffin, the Marching Illini and staff for their support and kindness in remembering our Greg.  A few weeks before the game we received a note from Peter Griffin, the new band director for the Marching Illini.  

"I want to let you know about something that happened a couple of weeks ago during our Tuesday night rehearsal in the stadium. It was a cold night with a light mist falling and a wind blowing as well. I was reminded of how Greg always wore shorts to rehearsal regardless of the weather and was always one of the most reliable individuals on the field. I took several minutes to talk about Greg to the entire band and how exceptional he truly was, and is, to all of us who knew him. I dedicated that rehearsal to his memory and it was one of the best we have had all year."    

Thank you Mr. Griffin. It is a blessing that Greg is being honored and remembered by so many people.

September 24, 2005 -University of Illinois played Michigan State for their Homecoming game.  The game was terrible 61-14, but the half-time show was terrific!  The 2005 Greg Vasich Memorial Commission was used to fund a medley of Sammy Davis Jr. hit tunes, a special arrangement by long-time (chief) arranger trombonist Allan Horney. The musical score and the game program had a dedication printed  that  read: "2005 GREG VASICH MEMORIAL COMMISSION". At the close of the Marching Illini performance, an audio announcement was made:  "This afternoon's halftime music arrangements were made possible by the  Greg Vasich Memorial Endowment".  Greg’s parents, Carol and Milt, and 2 of Greg’s brothers, Mike and Paul, were able to attend the game. We felt honored to be part of this wonderful musical remembrance of Greg.

On Sunday, October 23, 2005, the Vasich family was invited to attend the Marching Illini in Concert at Assembly Hall in Champaign.  The band played about 20 songs. Halfway through the concert, Mr. Keene, the director of bands, made a presentation to us in honor of Greg. He noted that this past weekend's Homecoming football game where the alumni band played, but there was one person missing from the alumni band. He went on to talk about Greg, his accomplishments  in band over the years as well as his happy personality and smile. He presented us with a beautiful framed collage of the musical score and Greg's picture. The band then went on to play the medley of Sammy Davis Jr. hit tunes arranged with funds from the 2005 Greg Vasich Memorial Commission. The Vasich Family is very grateful to U of I Bands for keeping Greg's memory alive in such a happy positive way. It is with great appreciation we send our heartfelt thank yous to Mr. Keene and Mr. Caneva.