Redbird football to host postseason rally

Posted on January 16, 2015

ISU football made its first appearance in the FCS title game on Saturday. (WJBC file photo)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – The Illinois State football team won its first conference title in 15 years and advanced to the FCS National Championship game for the first time in school history in 2014. 

To celebrate the Redbirds’ historic accomplishments, ISU Athletics will host the Redbird Football Post Season Rally on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 6-7 p.m., inside Redbird Arena.

Coach Brock Spack told WJBC's Scott Laughlin, he hopes all the fans who came out to support the team this season for its historic run will be back next season. 

PODCAST: Listen to Spack's interview with Scott on WJBC.

Spack said even his father – not a 'huggy, feely guy,' got caught up in the excitement.

"He can be critical. He was a Marine. You know how they are" Spack said. "He was impressed with our fans, everything about our school. That's the message we've been trying to get out."

Spack encourages fans to keep the high expectations, but appreciate success too. 

"When you take it for granted, the fan base can get splintered," Spack said. "Don't be that way. Make sure you stay together, because they've been tremendous."

The event is free and open to the public, with the East and North doors of Redbird Arena opening at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be made available adjacent to the arena on a first-come, first-served basis and limited concessions will be available for sale on the concourse.

A short program, featuring comments from Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz, ISU Director of Athletics Larry Lyons, football head coach Brock Spack and selected football student-athletes, will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 

An awards ceremony will immediately follow and coaches and players will be available after the program concludes to take pictures and interact with fans in attendance.  

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…