Illini Grotto and its home lodge, Mahomet #220, were honored to welcome their newest member: Head Coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team. It seemed only fitting, given our Illini pride.
It all started a few months ago when the college basketball season was heating up. Before the NCAA tournament, we (Vance Martin and Joe Turngren) were talking about the Illini team. It came up that Coach Underwood was a Mason and about a year before had received his 25-year certificate from the Grand Lodge of Kansas, presented by the Grand Master of Illinois. We decided to reach out and offer him a membership in the still rather new Illini Grotto, and in Mahomet Lodge because of its connection to the grotto. After several discussions on how we might do this, we brought it before the grotto and the lodge. Unsurprisingly both bodies voted unanimously in favor of this idea, so we had to work on details and logistics.
We each worked on letters from our respective bodies, offering Brother Underwood membership in Illini Grotto and honorary membership in Mahomet Lodge. We also reached out to those involved in his 25-year certificate presentation for guidance on contacting such a public figure. Through those channels, we contacted the coach’s assistant with our offer and waited. She responded a few days later that the coach was willing. The next step was to work with Grand Lodge and Supreme Grotto to get everything in place. Secretary Steve Rinkel worked with Grand Lodge for the honorary Mahomet membership. Vance worked with the fez company and Supreme Grotto to have everything in hand.
We were excited to set up an appointment to present Brother Underwood with his membership certificates. We all got there early and waited until the appointed time. We spoke with the coach’s assistant, who went to get him. We were all rather nervous, as we wanted to present him with several things and have him sign the lodge registry and the grotto charter. We relaxed when he came out with a friendly greeting, and invited us all back to his office. We all chatted for a few minutes, and then Steve and Joe had him sign the Mahomet Lodge membership register, which goes back to 1877. They presented him with his certificate, card, and a Mahomet 220 apron. Vance and Joe had him sign the Illini Grotto charter, then presented him with his Illini pin, grotto pin, the immediate Past Monarch’s pin, an Illini decal, his certificate, and fez. They made sure he was a prophet in due form.
Coach Underwood was very appreciative and kept looking at everything we presented him as his assistant took pictures. We spoke about masonry and basketball. He told us about his father-in-law in Kansas who got him into Freemasonry. We can also expect him to appear at some of our Illini Grotto tailgates this fall.
Masonry is the mystic tie that binds us, allowing brothers who have never met to have a bond. This was evident as we celebrated our Masonic Illini fraternity.
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