This is no Small feat

On November 10th, John Paddock appears to be set to start as the quarterback for Illinois this weekend.

Throughout the week, numerous reports have noted Paddock’s family ties to the Illini, including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and uncle, who all played football at Illinois.

With all due respect to the Paddock and Wright family, the Small family now arguably holds the crown as the leading family in Illinois athletics.

The Smalls have a storied history at Illinois, with Bill Small, Andy Small, and Mike Small, each leaving an indelible mark in various sports.

“They grew up in Danville, and we worked in Danville for 30 years,” Bill Small shared during a radio appearance on WDWS’ “SportsTalk” at the Esquire. “One time, we had Jim Turpin come over and speak at rotary. First thing he said after he was introduced and recognized me was this: ‘Bill had a good basketball career at Illinois. Good family. The best thing he did for the University of Illinois was father two sons.”

Mike Small, the Illini men’s golf coach, has been the mastermind behind transforming Illinois into a top-tier college golf program, consistently competing at a national level.

Under Small’s guidance, Illinois has dominated the Big Ten, winning 13 of the last 14 titles, positioning them among the nation’s elite programs.

An illustrious legacy precedes Mike Small, courtesy of his father, a former star for coach Harry Combes’ teams, who instilled a winning mentality in his son.

“When you play at Illinois and you’re on a Big Ten championship team, it’s on a whole different level,” Mike said. “To play at Illinois is a big deal. It’s a great legacy thing to have throughout your life, but if you’re on a championship team, Illini Nation really respects the winners.”

Wednesday provided an opportunity for father and son to reminisce, including the comical story of Mike trying to defend Lowell Hamilton on the basketball court.

Their legacy continues to shape every Illini athletic program they touch, much like the impact Steve Stricker had on the golf program after being introduced by former Illinois coach Ed Beard.