I've been to plenty of games (and one ill advised monster truck show) here - not as many as some, but plenty. And while I love what the atmosphere can be, it doesn't seem to live up to that standard any longer. No, the team isn't as good as it's been in the recent past, but that doesn't mean you should sit on your hands most of the game, like a lot of kids and "adults" alike did during a recent visit for a pivotal game against MSU. I've heard this place rocking, and...well, when you leave before the horn, and can't sell the place out...shame on you, Champaign.
As for amenities, screw em. I don't want plush seats, because I don't want to sit down. I don't need fancy concessions, because this isn't a restaurant. And I don't want luxury boxes because they remove seating capacity. I want a venue that packs in as many screaming angry orange-clad students as possible, and when Assembly Hall is filled with orange, it's pretty freaking orange and pretty freaking loud in there. Now, I take issue with seating old people close to the floor and sticking most students up in the rafters, but honestly, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Yes, closer is better, but sight lines are superb throughout.
So, no 5th star for the home of my beloved Illini because the place isn't an unhinged madhouse, come rain, come shine, come win, come loss. But I do love it. And I just pray that it doesn't get replaced with some shiny, soulless, glass and steel creation with a corporate name. KFC Yum Center anyone? Puh-lease. Maybe with Jimmy Johns being founded in the area, we could have the "Freaky Fast Forum" in a few years.