What Was University Of Illinois Thinking With This Ticket Promotion?

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 14, 2013 9:45PM

From the “Photoshop Nightmares” Department: This is the Valentine’s Day promotion sent out by the University of Illinois’ Ticket office Thursday to sell tickets to the men’s basketball team’s Feb. 21 game against lowly Penn State. (A team that usually has the Illini’s number.)

Apparently there was either some disconnect between the folks who produced the artwork for this promotion or someone has a shrewd and warped sense of humor. What’s with coach John Groce hugging his shirtless son here? Or the slogan “ no matter who’s your Valentine, surprise them with tickets to the game?”

But mainly it’s the photo, which, intentionally or not, draws to mind Penn State’s recent struggles and its transformation from Happy Valley to Creepy Valley. But then the Illini, until recently, haven’t had much success in Big Ten play. We can see why someone would create this in order to sell a few tickets.

(h/t Deadspin)