Illinois Football: How Bret Bielema’s ‘Mom’s Weekend’ Practice Honors the Women Who Shaped Him

Illinois Football head coach Bret Bielema put a unique spin on Saturday’s (4/5) 9th spring practice of 15 allowed for the Illini during the NCAA’s spring ball period.

Rather than treating it as just another ‘regular day at the office,’ Coach Bielema seized the opportunity to reinforce the program’s ‘FamILLy’ motto—taking advantage of a rainy Saturday to ignite some exciting energy within the Smith Center.

The Illinois Football staff opened its doors to the women who’ve played a key role in their players’ lives—mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers—for a behind-the-scenes look at the program. It was a chance to step inside their sons’ world, to see firsthand the daily grind, discipline, and high demands of competing at the Division I level in the Big Ten.

The experience gave these important women a deeper perspective on what it takes for their student-athletes to compete at the highest level—and why the support system behind the scenes matters just as much as the work put in on the field.

Not only do these influential women gain invaluable access to the program and the staff, who play a major role in shaping the lives of these young men, but the players and coaches also get the chance to build a unique bond that can only come through a real family connection. With a roster made up of players from all different walks of life and from all over the world, it’s a creative way to make the most of a routine practice and focus on strengthening the team’s internal rapport.

Coach Bielema understands the importance of that—and because of it, he believes the Illinois Football program took a real step forward on Saturday afternoon.

Where did he get the idea?

Bielema on the Influence and Significance of This “Mother’s Weekend” Practice for Illinois Football

Coach Bielema credits the unique idea to the women who shaped his own life and helped mold him into the man and coach he is today. In his open media availability following practice No. 9, the Illini head coach explained in further detail.

“So what we did — we literally set the day up like their sons have every day. I wanted them to walk the walk with their sons, ” said Bielema.

“We had a meeting at 10:30. I laid out the day, showed them what practice was gonna be. Showed them the schedule… I wanted them to see what their sons go through every day.”

Bielema then opened up about his personal inspiration…

“Also shared with them why they were here… So, my mom, my grandma, and my sisters have all been a huge influence in my life. That’s really the genesis of what today is. So it was something that meant a lot to my heart. I shared that with the parents, and what that meant.“

Bielema concluded, “I think there are 120+ Division I programs. Everybody got a #9 — ninth spring practice of 15 — but if anybody got more out of practice nine than us today, I’d be shocked. What we did today — the way we grew emotionally, physically, and mentally — is a big, big deal.“

A new set of recruits in town this weekend pic.twitter.com/F0l5wsPzwp

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) April 5, 2025

The moms speak the TRUTH pic.twitter.com/EFTIiElY9N

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) April 6, 2025

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