By ISU Sports Information BEDFORD PARK – Illinois State head men’s basketball coach Dan Muller is the 2015 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) NCAA Division I Coach of the Year. In his third season, Muller led the 2014-15 Redbirds to a 22-13 overall record, marking ISU’s most victories since 2009-10. Illinois State tied for third…… MORE
Dan Muller’s Illinois State Redbirds will play at San Diego State on Nov. 13 (Photo by B Corbin/WJBC) By ISU Sports Information ST. LOUIS – An early road test awaits the 2015-16 Illinois State men’s basketball team, as the Redbirds will travel to 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier San Diego State Friday, Nov. 13, for a…… MORE
By ISU Sports Information NORMAL – Coming off the most memorable season in Illinois State football history, the Redbirds and 2014 Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year Brock Spack will look to put together another title run in 2015 when they officially open the 11-game season on Sept. 5 in Iowa City, Iowa, against…… MORE
By ISU Sports Information NORMAL – Head women’s basketball coach Barb Smith announced Tuesday that Zenobia Bess, Octavia Crump, Mackenzie Freeman, Stekara Hall, Lindsay Smith and Kelli Tolar were transferring from the Redbird program. “We thank all of our players for what they have done for us during their time here at Illinois State,” Smith…… MORE
By Adam Studzinski NORMAL – Former Illinois State football players looking to continue their careers at the pro level had a chance on Wednesday to impress NFL scouts during the school’s pro day. In all, about 20 players participated in the day’s various drills. Offensive lineman Jermaine Barton felt like things went well for him.…… MORE
By Bryan Bloodworth NORMAL – Illinois State football coach Brock Spack feels the momentum, likes the talk, and what he saw in winter conditioning drills from the bulk of a team that played for the FCS national championship last season. But now, said the seventh-year head coach, it’s time for the Redbirds to shift their…… MORE
By ISU Sports Information NORFOLK, Va. – A Paris Lee 3-pointer gave Illinois State the lead with 35 seconds remaining; however, Jonathan Arledge’s layup at the 19-second mark proved to be the difference, as Old Dominion edged ISU, 50-49, in the NIT second round Monday night at Ted Constant Convocation Center. Illinois State ended the…… MORE
By ISU Sports Information ST. CHARLES – The Illinois State women’s basketball team’s season came to an end as the Redbirds were topped by Evansville, 55-51, in the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night at Family Arena. A career night from Evansville senior Mallory Ladd propelled the Purple Aces to the win.…… MORE
The Illinois State softball team split a pair of games against Louisville Monday afternoon.… MORE
The Illinois State baseball team lost to Bucknell in its Snowbird Classic finale Sunday.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…