The 1983-84 school year was also a pretty amazing run, when the Illini won football and basketball championships. But let’s not go that far back. Back in the day takes me to 2001, a year when the #WeWillWin hashtag truly meant something.

That usually takes me back to the calendar year of 2001, perhaps the best season for Illini athletics in modern times. Of course, 1989 could be argued when the Flying Illini were taking flight and the football program was also soaring under John Mackovic, finishing second in the Big Ten a year before winning the title.

In coach Bill Self’s first season in Champaign, the Illini were a top 10 team all season. There was the appearance in the Maui Classic, the Lucas Johnson Wrestling Extravaganza at jam packed United Center and the Frank Williams Show in an overtime win over Missouri for some Braggin’ Rights before we flipped the calendar.

Then Self led the Illini to the Big Ten title and a No. 4 ranking to end the season. A No. 1 seed, the Illini lost to Arizona in the regional championship game, one win short of the schools’ first trip to the Final Four in 12 years.

Exhale.

The football season started quietly for the Illini in the fall of 2001. After whipping California in the season opener, Illinois survived a close one against Northern Illinois before rolling Louisville. Michigan put Illinois in its place, whipping Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner and the Illini 45-20 in Ann Arbor. A football championship just seemed out of the grasp.

But while Illinois caught its stride, beat Ohio State on the road after Buckeyes quarterback Steve Bellisari was arrested two days prior to the game for DUI, Michigan eventually lost twice, including an improbable defeat to Ohio State.

Blocked from a Rose Bowl berth by the BCS rotation snagging Pasadena as the national championship game, the Illini headed to the Sugar Bowl.

In the process, only Illinois and Maryland played in a regional final and a BCS bowl game in 2001.

Illini athletics was rolling. Wow. That was fun, wasn’t it?

As Illinois basketball heads deeper into a basketball season still trying to get settled under first-year coach Brad Underwood, the Illini haven’t played in the NCAA Tournament since 2013. That’s a little depressing. Illini football just came off a two-win season and ranked 11th among the league’s 14 teams in terms of recruiting.

#WeWillWin

It’s the trademark under Josh Whitman, the former tight end turned athletics director. He’s brash and confident and working hard to polish the Illini brand. There’s so much further to go.

On Jan. 1 – when folks across the country make New Year’s resolutions – here’s one for the Illini.

Become relevant again.

Play in a truly big game. That means winning enough of them to make it meaningful. Illinois hasn’t had one of those since 2006 in basketball and 2007 in football. A win over an improved Missouri program in St. Louis was a baby step. But don’t let the apologists spin a win over Grand Canyon into something of a big deal. It’s been depressing to see Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center half full at best. Fans aren’t interested in seeing the Illini slide toward the bottom of the Big Ten standings.

Put together a great recruiting class. Lovie Smith just rallied to 11th in the league. By signing defensive tackle Verdis Brown, Illinois jumped from 13th in the Rivals.com rankings for Big Ten recruiting classes. Illinois signed just three players from Illinois high schools. Underwood was expected to hit the ground fast on the recruiting trail, but signing just Ayo Dosunmu turned out to be a bit of a PR disaster when it was learned Ayo blocked the commitment of Simeon’s Talen Horton-Tucker.

Give everyone a reason to wear orange. Illini fans are loyal, and they’re hungry. Remember when the mall was full of folks in orange. Or you’d see the orange at every sports bar. These days, Illini fans are finding reasons to keep it in the closet.

Back in the day. It seems like so long ago. Self liked to stroll into the Hall, walk toward the opposing coach for the pregame hand shake and give the local media a wink, letting press row know the Illini have this one.

Back in the day. Kittner had the moxie to lead a program, and coach Ron Turner parlayed an early recruiting class into a big season. Assuredly, Illini football roller-coastered like it has over the last two or three decades, following big seasons with the big tease.

A 6-6 regular season would be a step in the right direction for the Illini. Heading into his third season as coach, Lovie is facing more expectations from the fan base and the media. It’s time for the Illini to make a move.

Illinois’ current four-year drought on Selection Sunday is the worst since the early 80’s, when Lou Henson was rebuilding a program. A 12 seed and a first-round loss would be a step in the right direction.

On the national map, the Illini are a forgotten player. The world is changing. The college landscape is changing. For some of us, it’s getting harder to remember when the Illini were regarded as a tough out in basketball and a sleeping giant in football that would awaken every few years.

Hey, kids. It really did happen. Back in the day.

Let’s remind them in Memorial Stadium and The Farm to make a New Year’s resolution. Make the Illini relevant again..

Now.