I just returned to the home sod in Athens and I can report that the sky is still "up there" and it does not appear to be falling.  I'm, however, very nervous about this whole Groce-Illinois thing.  As many others have said, I hope that Groce realizes that he can go much farther here at Ohio than he has already.  The sky is the limit.  The only thing he can get more of at Illinois is money.  However, he's spoken greatly about his love for Ohio and for our college town.  He's a consummate family man, and Athens is a very good place to raise a family.  According to all reports his family loves Athens.  I hope that he's using Illinois to force us to give him our best counter offer and that we make one that is significant which Groce accepts and then says he's staying at OHIO for the long haul.  "They'll either have to fire me or take me out in a horizontal position," would be a good quote, IMHO! 

Well, if you read Alan Swank's post, Athens very well could turn into quite the rally -- no matter what the decision -- Athens folk could likely give him the best sendoff/celebration stay party ever.