Category Archives: Local Sports

IHSA dual team and girls wrestling state finals this weekend in Bloomington-Normal

IHSA dual team and girls wrestling state finals this weekend in Bloomington-Normal

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The IHSA girls wrestling and boys dual team wrestling state finals will take place this weekend in the Twin-Cities. According to the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the two-day event is expected to draw about 4,000 people to the area, with an estimated direct economic impact of $308,000. This…MORE

Dan Muller steps down as Redbird coach; Brian Jones to serve as Interim Coach

Dan Muller steps down as Redbird coach; Brian Jones to serve as Interim Coach

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Following an announcement that Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Dan Muller would not return for the 2023 season, Muller has decided to step down from his head coaching position immediately. “After an emotional day yesterday, and more time to talk to my players about this difficult situation, I have decided to…MORE

Redbird coach Dan Muller will not return after 2022 season

Redbird coach Dan Muller will not return after 2022 season

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Following 10 seasons that saw highs and lows, Illinois State Athletic Director Kyle Brennan has notified Redbird men’s basketball head coach Dan Muller that he will not return for the 2023 season. “Announcing a head coaching change during a season is a difficult decision I don’t take lightly, especially with a coach…MORE

Voice of Illinois State Redbirds Dick Luedke announces retirement

Voice of Illinois State Redbirds Dick Luedke announces retirement

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-After 41 years in the broadcasting booth, Twin Cities resident Dick Luedke has called his final shot. Illinois State’s verbal documenter of men’s basketball and football joined the Scott Miller Show Friday morning to make his official announcement. “I am going to retire after a long time as the radio play-by-play broadcaster…MORE

ISU-Evansville men’s game postponed

ISU-Evansville men’s game postponed

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Illinois State University men’s basketball team has had another game postponed as the team will not play this Sunday against Evansville most likely due to COVID-19. According to a news release, ISU determined the team is “unable to compete” and the game has been postponed. The conference will attempt…MORE

ISU-Loyola men’s basketball game postponed

ISU-Loyola men’s basketball game postponed

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Illinois State and Loyola men’s basketball game scheduled for Wednesday night at Redbird Arena has been postponed, according to a news release Monday. ISU determined the men’s team is “unable to compete” and the Missouri Valley Conference office will attempt to reschedule the game, if possible. The ISU men’s…MORE

Area athletes celebrate National Signing Day

Area athletes celebrate National Signing Day

Long-time childhood dreams came true across the Heart of Illinois on Wednesday as area athletes signed their letters of intent to continue their careers at the collegiate level on National Signing Day.MORE

Jacobs beats Normal Community in second round of IHSA playoffs

Jacobs beats Normal Community in second round of IHSA playoffs

By Neil Doyle ALGONQUIN – It was a low scoring game but Jacobs held on at home to beat Normal Community 17-7 in the second round of the IHSA football playoffs. The Golden Eagles (8-3) scored the first two touchdowns of the game, both from running back Nasir Canty. The Ironmen (10-1) answered back in…MORE

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…